Editorial-TH/INO
14/12/2005
17:16
Page 1
Editorial
Let’s be positive about progress so far
AS WE leave 2005 behind and prepare
ourselves for the challenges 2006 will
bring I am determined to examine, and
highlight positive issues affecting nurses
and midwives in Ireland today. In other
words, let us take some time to highlight
the good things of 2005 and the potentially better things that can happen in
2006.
Let us begin by recording our satisfaction that nursing, in Ireland, continues to
attract large numbers of school leavers
and mature students. Almost 1,700 people
began the three degree programmes last
September. Add to this the recent
announcement that 2006 will see the start
of a direct entry degree programme in
midwifery and an integrated general and
children’s nursing programme, it must be
seen that all of this represents a significant
investment by the State. In September
2006 the State will be providing 1,900
undergraduate places, in nursing and midwifery, and when it is recalled that in 1999
only 950 places were available, this positive development must be recognised.
Another major positive is the pending
legislation which will give nurses and midwives limited prescribing rights. This is a
development that will greatly enhance
patient care while recognising the skills
and knowledge of many nurses and midwives, who know, on a very detailed basis,
the needs and requirements of their
patients.
A third positive is that in 2006 we will
World of Irish Nursing & Midwifery
Journal of the Irish Nurses Organisation
(ISSN: 1393-8088)
Volume 14 Number 1
January 2006
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hopefully see a new Nurses and Midwives
Act.This legislation, which is long overdue,
provides the opportunity for the State to
put in place a legislative framework that
will fully recognise and acknowledge the
unique body of knowledge held by nurses
and midwives. It should also ensure,
through an updated fitness to practise
process, that the general public continues
to have high levels of confidence and trust
in the professions.
The INO itself also continues to grow
and develop and now represents over
31,500 members. It is the union of choice
for four out of every five nurses and midwives in this country, and provides a range
of services which are among the best
offered by any union.
Perhaps the most positive thing about
nursing and midwifery in this country as
we start 2006, is that we still have the most
committed, the most competent and the
most innovative nursing and midwifery
workforce you will find anywhere. While
we all know the limitations of the public
health service, it is a fact that the vast
majority of people who experience the
service, thanks to the expertise of nuses
and midwives record high levels of satisfaction with the care they receive.
So, there you have some of the positives.
You know, far better than I, that there are
many things preventing you from providing even higher standards of care. We all
know that poor retention, bureaucratic
ineptitude, inadequate bed capacity, lack
EDITORIAL
Editor: Tara Horan
Assistant Editor: Alison Moore
Production Editor: Shane O’Neill
News: Deborah Condon
Sub Editors: Niamh Gleeson, Sonja Storm
Designers: Paula Quigley,
Fiona Donohoe, Clodagh Noone
ADVERTISING MANAGER Helen Martin
PUBLISHER Geraldine Meagan
WIN – World of Irish Nursing & Midwifery,
is published in conjunction with the
Irish Nurses Organisation by
MedMedia Group, Specialists in Medical
Publishing & Design.
of community services and poorly resourced
mental health services continue to bedevil
best efforts to ensure patients are looked
after in a quality assured way.
In addition please rest assured that I
have not forgotten our agenda covering
such issues as a 35-hour week, the pay
anomaly with social care workers and the
need to give parity, in terms of pay, conditions and promotional structures with
those already existing for the allied health
professionals.
In recognising this substantial agenda,
let us strengthen ourselves for the struggles ahead by recognising that we have
made significant progress .
Anyway all of this is for the new year. As
you will be receiving this in early January
may I take this opportunity to wish you,
your families and your friends happiness,
peace of mind and good health in 2006
and beyond.
Liam Doran
General Secretary, INO
IRISH NURSES ORGANISATION
Editor-in-Chief: Liam Doran
INO Editorial Board:
Liam Doran
Madeline Spiers, Teresa Hayes, Deirdre
Daly,
Ursula Morgan,
Catherine
Doyle INO
General
Secretary,
INO Journal Co-ordinator: Ann Keating,
Tel: 01-664 0697 Email: [email protected]
INO correspondence to:
Irish Nurses Organisation,
Whitworth Building,
North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.
Tel: 01–664 0600
Fax: 01-661 0466
Email: [email protected] Website: www.ino.ie
WIN January 2006
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