Featured photo caption: Standing from left: Catherine McBride, DPHN; Paul Hooton, Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Saolta; Tom Coleman, Health Scientist and Sleep Coach; Michelle Donnelly, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Planning and Development, Dermot Monaghan, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, Donegal; Marie Callaghan, Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), LUH; Deirdre Diver, RANP, Gastroenterology, LUH; Seán Murphy, Hospital Manager, LUH: Elizabeth Breslin, Assistant Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Planning and Development;
Sitting from left: Maria Ward, Pound Instructor and Well-being facilitator; Dr Janice Richmond, RANP, Oncology, LUH: Dr Anne Drake, Director of Nursing, LUH; Carmel Hoey, National Lead for Advanced and Specialist Practice; and Emma Ward, Assistant Staff Officer, NMPDU.
A Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) event last week celebrated the 20 year development and impact of Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and Advanced Midwife Practitioner (AMP) positions in Donegal.
The event last Wednesday marked twenty years since the first Advanced Nurse Practitioner position was established at Letterkenny University Hospital.
“Since then, advanced nursing and midwifery services have enhanced healthcare across Donegal,” said Dr Anne Drake, Director of Nursing, Letterkenny University Hospital.
“These advanced nurse-led and midwife-led services expand from the hospital to community services. They consistently focus on person-centred, safe, high-quality care to service users and their families.”
The event was supported through a collaborative process by the Director of Nursing (DON) and Director of Midwifery (DOM) at LUH, the Director of Public Health Nursing in Donegal, and colleagues in the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit, North West.
Advanced Nurse and Midwifery Practitioners, Donegal and Directors of Nursing and Midwifery.
ANPs and AMPs are senior clinicians with advanced level clinical expertise and are empowered to autonomously manage service users’ care. ANP/AMP roles are the highest level of clinical experts in the nursing profession in Ireland.
Seán Murphy, Hospital Manager, Letterkenny University Hospital said: “Advanced Practitioners strengthen the health care workforce and maximize our health care potential. We celebrate the dedicated nurses and midwives who have advanced their education and clinical expertise to become Nurse/Midwife Practitioners, and we recognise the vital role they play in supporting many patients. Your expertise, dedication, and care make a lasting impact on our patients and clinical teams. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to healthcare every day.”
Back Row from left: Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, West and North West; Dr Janice Richmond, RANP Oncology, LUH; Deirdre Diver, RANP, Gastroenterology, LUH; Loretta Grogan, National Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officer; Paul Hooton, Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Saolta;
Front row from left: Dr Ann Drake, DON, LUH; Marion Doogan, ADON, Women’s and Children’s, LUH; and Catherine McBride, DPHN, Donegal.
Aligned with the HSE Health Regions integration plan, the event highlighted Donegal’s nursing and midwifery leadership’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and supporting the future of healthcare reform. Attendees had the opportunity to network, share insights, and build connections with ANPs and AMPs across hospital and community services, alongside meeting local, national, and HSE West and North West strategic leaders and partners. This symposium also coincided with the International Celebration Week for Advanced Nursing and Midwifery Practice, adding significance to Donegal’s achievements and future ambitions in healthcare.
The LUH ANP/AMP Council Forum, an integral part of LUH’s Magnet Hospital Initiative, warmly welcomed ANPs, AMPs, nursing and midwifery leaders, and strategic colleagues from HSE West and North West and nationally to unite, empower, inspire, and celebrate advanced practice advancements in Donegal. Attendees engaged with speakers who discussed the history, the impact, the latest developments, and the emerging roles of ANPs and AMPs, showcasing the future of advanced nursing and midwifery practice in Donegal.
This milestone event honoured the journey of advanced nursing and midwifery practice in Donegal, celebrating past achievements and charting a promising path forward.
Event Organisers from left: Marie Callaghan, Assistant Director of Nursing/ Magnet Project Co-ordinator LUH; Dr Janice Richmond, RANP Oncology LUH; Deirdre Diver, RANP Gastroenterology; Emma Ward, Assistant Staff Officer and Elizabeth Breslin, ADON, HSE West and North West.
Colleagues shared reflections during the celebrations, expressing what the role meant to them.
Dr Janice Richmond, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Oncology said: “Working as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner over the past twenty years is an absolute privilege. Currently there are over 40 ANPs and AMPs in the County and daily we have the opportunity to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients and connect with families through advanced clinical expertise, knowledge and clinical skills.”
Miriam Griffin, Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Department, LUH on behalf of her colleagues shared: “The Advanced Nurse Practitioner Service in Emergency Department LUH provides a career pathway for registered nurses in direct clinical care. There are four ANPs in the ED in LUH; our vision for the future is that the ANP service will continue to grow to provide safe, timely, evidence-based care for patients and their families in Donegal.”
Denise Gillespie, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Child Health and Parenting, Donegal said: “I have been in post for 16 years as an ANP in Child Health and Parenting in Public health Nursing in Donegal. When I reflect on my time in post it has provided me with many opportunities which I have enjoyed immensely. I really enjoy working in partnership with parents to provide support in the areas of sleep and behaviour.”
Pauline Ferry, Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner, Diabetes (Pregnancy) said: “I am a Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP) specialising in supporting women with diabetes during pregnancy. Since stepping into this role in 2023, my focus has been on delivering advanced, midwife-led care that is both holistic and person-focused. With a deep commitment to pre-pregnancy care for women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, I am passionate about ensuring each woman receives the support and guidance they need for a healthy pregnancy journey. My RAMP role is incredibly fulfilling.”
Carmel Erskine, Disability Services said: “As the first candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner (cANP) in HSE disability services in Donegal, I’m proud to be working in this important role in intellectual disability services. I support individuals holistically, focusing on early recognition and assessment of their illness. My goal is to enhance health and well-being, empowering individuals to take an active role in their care. Equally important, I am committed to upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ensuring that each individual’s dignity and quality of life are prioritised.”