Curriculum Vitae
click here to view document

Mission Statement

I have nearly 20 years experience in the speciality and have held a number of clinical and educational posts both in Ireland and the U.K. I have worked exclusively in Palliative Care in Ireland since 1992 and currently work in a joint clinical and education role in the West of the country. This role is a new post, developed to link education and clinical practice aiming to combine the management of regional nursing services with a clinical lectureship in The National University of Ireland, Galway. Since 1995, I have been a member of the Irish Association for Palliative Care and have served as a member of the Nursing Advisory Forum and the Executive, latterly as Secretary to the organisation for a period of three years. I have also been invited to provide an advisory role to The Department of Health & Children regarding national planning for palliative care services and currently sit on a working group to oversee a national needs assessment for paediatric palliative care. I also am a member of the National Cancer Institute/Northern Ireland Joint Working Group on Palliative Care.
I would suggest that this profile equips me to represent the interests and views of Irish palliative care practitioners at the Board. My work to date with nursing colleagues from Europe to prepare recommendations for palliative nursing education demonstrates my belief in strengthening the European context of Palliative Care for practitioners in Ireland.
Ireland has a long history in the development of palliative care and has much to share with those countries for whom palliative care is a new discipline. I would hope that my work in creating networks, particularly for nurses, will benefit this development. I would also commend the EAPC decision to broaden the membership of the Board to include other disciplines such as nursing which have been integral to the development of services in many countries. It would also be important to disseminate the work of the EAPC within the Irish membership and to encourage participation at an international level in terms of Congress presentation and particularly research.
Again, as a member of the Board, I see it as my responsibility to liase with the Executive of the I.A.P.C. and keep them informed of developments as they arise. In conclusion. I am honoured to have been selected by our National Association to represent Ireland at the EAPC Board and will endeavour to meet that responsibility fully and equitably.