President's update

The Board met on 20-21 September 2016.  The agenda included discussion of the       following items: 

Minutes
The Board agreed to publish all Board minutes on its website from January 2016 once these have been approved by the Board.

Professional competence scheme (PCS)
The Board agreed to commence development of a professional competence scheme. Although currently at an early point of development, there will be significant consultation with key stakeholders throughout this process and updates will be posted over the coming months. 

Committee appointment
The recent campaign for non-Board membes to assist in committee work has now closed and the selection process is nearing completion. I would like to thank all those who took the time to apply and offer their time and skills to the Board.

The Board offered its condolences to staff member, Veronica O'Rourke, whose mother recently died and to the family of former An Bord Altranais education officer, Vincent Breheny, who also passed away.

The Board also offered its condolences to the family of former Board member Jim Hough who died in July. Jim was a registered general and psychiatric nurse and nurse tutor. Jim headed the Regional Psychiatric Nursing School in Waterford and  was also a lecturer in nursing at University College, Cork and Waterford Institute of Technology. Jim served on the Board of An Bord Altranais from 1995-2005 representing psychiatric nurses.

On behalf of the Board I would like to acknowledge the work of Colette Finn on her resignation from the Board. I wish her every succss in her futher career and thank her for her contribution.

I am pleased to announce that Martin Quaid has been appointed Director of Corporate Services.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board will take place on 22-23 November 2016.

Essene Cassidy,
President of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland