GP nurses in town as Kilkenny plays host to national 'immunisation for all' conference

Kathy Taaffe, Marie Courtney, Jennifer Murnane O’ Connor TD, Marie Cantwell, Liz Carroll and Máiréad Murphy

placeholder image — Kathy Taaffe, Marie Courtney, Jennifer Murnane O’ Connor TD, Marie Cantwell, Liz Carroll and Máiréad Murphy

Event was organised by the Professional Development Coordinator for GP Nurses in the HSE Dublin and South East health region

GP Nurses from across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow and South East County Dublin, as well as HSE colleagues working in schools immunisation and community vaccination teams have attended a conference hosted in Kilkenny titled Empowering Nurses, Protecting Communities.

Over 120 GP practices from the HSE’s Dublin and South East region were represented in the audience of the conference held in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. In addition to listening to presentations from key speakers, attendees participated in workshops on specific topics relevant to immunisation and visited various information stands showcasing services from HSE departments, community agencies and other healthcare providers.

The event in Kilkenny was organised by the Professional Development Coordinator for GP Nurses in the HSE Dublin and South East health region, in collaboration with colleagues from other regions and in association with the National Immunisation Office. It is part of a series of four, with equivalent gatherings taking place at venues in Carrick on Shannon, Dublin and Limerick.

The aim is to bring together those who are making a lasting impact on health and well-being in communities through immunisation with the HSE. A special guest at the occasion was TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, with specific responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing, and the National Drugs Strategy.

There was also a recorded address from Chief Executive Officer of the HSE Bernard Gloster to those gathered at the event designed for healthcare professionals working in the areas of childhood and seasonal immunisations. The 'Immunisation for all' theme of the conference provided for a focus on inclusion of vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.

The gathering also featured the latest updates in clinical skills and education related to immunisation programmes. The conference also heard from speakers from the National Immunisation Office, the HSE’s Public Health Dept., the Social Inclusion division of the HSE’s Primary Care directorate and service user representatives.

On the day, organisers facilitated presentations, interviews and skills sessions designed to assist General Practice teams in the administration and management of vaccine clinics, improvement of uptake, record keeping and ensuring quality in practice.

Speaking at the Study Day, Liz Carroll (Professional Development Co-ordinator/GP Nurses, HSE Dublin and South East) of the organisation team said:

“GP nurses across our region play a huge role in protecting our communities from vaccine preventable disease, through health promotion, education and administration of the national immunisation programmes. This is inclusive of the primary childhood immunisation programme, seasonal vaccinations and immunisations in pregnancy.”

“We know that over 90% of immunisations are carried out in General Practice. This in so many instances is administered by practice nurses. This conference series is a great opportunity to network, learn and update and their attendance is testament to their dedication to evidence based, quality patient care in the community.”

“It is important to have such occasions focused on updating our clinical skills and knowledge through hands-on workshops and to gain valuable insights that will increase collaboration and communication across primary care and other healthcare sectors. The HSE is delighted that so many GP nurses joined us and their commitment to advancing patient care and enhancing their skills in this vital area is truly commendable.”