ULTRANEWS - CORK UNIVERSITY MATERNITY HOSPITAL
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UltraNews
eNewsletter of Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate
Navigate stories
Welcome to our Spring
2021 edition of UltraNews
Continuity of care in STGH:
The gold standard
Beep beep - Ireland South
fleet gets ready to roll
Reflecting on a COVID year
at CUMH: The impact on
personal & professional lives
MaternityONESouth is back
with Kate Lyons in driving seat
Welcome Dr Mairéad Butler, THE BEGINNING
Consultant Obstetrician &
Gynaecologist at UHW OF THE END:
The ‘home-schooling while
COVID-19 VACCINE
working’ balancing act
ROLL-OUT
Read more inside
Other news
Issue
Back to11cover
| Spring 2021 For info and story submissions email: donna.burtchaell@ucc.ie Start reading
Back UltraNews
Forward 01
Welcome to the Spring the Maternity Strategy. They are I am delighted to announce that
being used for Early Transfer Home the MaternityONESouth project is
edition of UltraNews, and DOMINO services as well as back, with Kate Lyons in CUMH as
community outreach services and the new dedicated project manager.
the staff newsletter of more. This project is focused on making
our maternity care as safe as possible
Ireland South Women & In STGH, midwifery led clinics are
offering continuity of care for low-
through training and policies that
are standardised and centralised. It’s
Infants Directorate risk mothers where possible. One of
the first mothers to benefit from this
an exciting initiative that involves all
four of our units collaborating and
model of care not only had the same supporting one another and avoiding
midwife throughout her pregnancy, duplication of effort.
The promise and protection of vaccines arrives but she was also transferred home
within 24 hours of giving birth. We While the events of 2020 defined a
Few, if any periods over the course and allow partners to attend the look forward to this becoming a year that will stay in our memories
of modern history have tested our anatomy scan, a surge in COVID-19 more regular occurrence in all our for a lifetime, we look forward to
resilience and shaped our personal infections and the national move to hospitals. the prospect of 2021 being a year
and professional lives the way 2020 Level 5 meant we had to temporarily in which we can see each other in
has. As 2021 beckoned, the promise pause this on 11 January 2021 to In CUMH, the new smoking person again and share a handshake.
and protection of vaccines was the protect our patients and staff. As all cessation service for pregnant women Thank you again for your unrelenting
news we needed to hear. We are four maternity units in Ireland South celebrated achieving 200 referrals – commitment in the delivery of
proud that staff in the directorate Women & Infants Directorate share 83% of those who took up the service maternity, gynaecology and neonatal
played a key part in administering the the campus and services with the have stayed quit at the important services in the challenging times
vaccine to the healthcare workforce general hospitals, it is important to 4-week milestone. A great result! we face. Now more than ever, it is
at our hospitals. The camaraderie, align our visiting restrictions with a privilege to work alongside such
teamwork and genuine optimism these hospitals. We are preparing to In UHW, we are delighted to purposeful and passionate people; we
witnessed in these clinics represents be more flexible once restrictions welcome a new consultant in turn remain privileged to provide
all that is great about our hospitals ease and have been working on a obstetrician & gynaecologist Dr care to the women, babies and
and the people who work in them. new visitor scheduling app in CUMH Mairéad Butler who started at the families in Ireland South.
which will allow us to recommence end of 2020 and returns to work in
To further the fight against access for partners in a safe manner. the hospital she was originally born
COVID-19, Ireland South Women We aim to roll this out across the in. Mairéad will focus on developing
& Infants Directorate is funding the directorate soon. the pregnancy loss services in UHW
training of 500 healthcare personnel with colleagues.
on administering the vaccine safely. Cars branded with Ireland South
These trained healthcare workers and featuring individual hospital We’re pleased to see audits on
will be crucial to the rollout of the names are now turning heads on the patient experience reporting John R. Higgins
vaccine in our communities. the roads in Cork, Kerry, Waterford impressive results in UHK.
Clinical Director
and Tipperary. These cars are a clear Almost all patients attending the Ireland South Women & Infants
While at the end of 2020 we were indication of midwifery-led care and outpatient hysteroscopy clinic would Directorate
able to relax our visiting restrictions enhanced patient choice in line with recommend it to a friend. Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Back to cover Back Forward 1
Cork University Maternity Hospital:
COVID-19 Vaccinators
The Ireland South Women & Infants additional training our CUMH vaccinators
Directorate made a decision to assist with needed and all were more than willing to
the mass vaccination drive and provided support the vaccination drive.”
close to 25 staff to the vaccination drive
in our sister hospital Cork University Over 13 days in January alone, almost
Hospital. The administration of the first 6,000 vaccines were administered at the
The beginning of the end: dose of COVID-19 vaccines took place
from 30 December 2020, with second doses
administered from 20 January 2021.
vaccination clinics in Seahorse Ward in
CUH. Midwives and nurses from CUMH
presented for duty at 07:30 each day and
COVID-19 vaccine rollout In total, CUMH peer vaccinators alongside
vaccinated right up to 18:00 each evening.
in Ireland South CUH peer vaccinators provided 5,830 of
the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to
healthcare staff. It was great to see both
The successful roll out of vaccines to
healthcare workers is in no small part to the
hard work and dedication of staff at local
CUH and CUMH collaborating to protect hospital level.
frontline staff in Cork.
With most of 2020 marked by the Peer vaccinators who made themselves
coronavirus pandemic, we are all hoping Sinéad Creedon, Infection Prevention available from CUMH included Sinéad
that 2021 will be the year when COVID-19 and Control Clinical Nurse Specialist in Creedon from IPC; Sheila Coghlan from
vaccines help the world return to some CUMH who co-ordinated the scheduling of ER; Mary Quaid, Kate Lyons and Niamh
semblance of normality. The rollout of peer vaccinators from CUMH commented: Spillane from Midwifery Management;
the vaccine across the Ireland South “We were able to quickly mobilise to support Mary McSweeney, Ann Buckley, Catherine
Women & Infants Directorate involved a the COVID-19 vaccination efforts, as we had O’Sullivan, Mary Cullinane and Susan
series of large-scale operations delivered 25 staff trained as peer vaccinators since Vaughan from NNU; Helena Mulcahy, Isobel
in collaboration with colleagues at each August 2020 for the flu vaccination drive. Scally and Siobhán Hayes from Labour
hospital campus. Peer vaccinators for the COVID-19 vaccine Ward; Orla Attridge from 2 South; Avril
need similar training – Basic Life Support Stannard, Cora Murphy and Breda Hayes
(BLS) training alongside Anaphylaxis from Practice Development; Barbara Hall
Sinéad Horgan, Assistant Director
Pictured above: Sinéad Horgan, Assistant Director of training. In addition, they need training on and Adrienne Murphy from Outpatients
of Nursing and Flu Lead, SSWHG Nursing and Flu Lead, SSWHG the protocol that is specific to the particular Department and Karyn Walsh from Early
commented: “The beginning of the end.
vaccine being administered. This was the only Pregnancy Unit.
No matter what site you were in across
the South/South West Hospital Group,
every person queueing for vaccine had the
same look of their faces – a look of delight,
excitement, relief and hope. It was so
uplifting to see multidisciplinary staff across
the Hospital Group to be so generous with
their time and skills, to assist not only in the
vaccine rollout in the acute hospitals, but
also in the residential care facilities.”
Above left: Sinéad Creedon, Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Nurse Specialist in CUMH. Above centre:
The peer vaccination team from CUMH: Susan Vaughan, Ann Buckley, Mary Quaid, Mary McSweeny, Catherine
O’Sullivan and Mary Cullinane. Above right: Professor John R. Higgins, Clinical Director Ireland South Women &
Infants Directorate receives the COVID-19 vaccine
Back to cover Story continued on next page Back Forward 2
University Hospital Kerry: University Hospital Waterford:
COVID-19 Vaccinators COVID-19 Vaccinators
Having completed the winter flu and was privileged to be involved as a A large team of trained and active peer
vaccination drive in UHK in 2020, the peer vaccinator in delivering a much vaccinators are the key to University
maternity services peer vaccination needed boost to help get us through the Hospital Waterford’s (UHW) successful
team were called upon again in early abysmal third wave of this pandemic. flu vaccine rollout in 2020. The same team
2021. Although administration of Pfizer The atmosphere radiated excitement upskilled to become COVID-19 peer
BioNTech vaccine required additional and indeed an enormous sense of hope in vaccinators in UHW in January 2021.
upskilling and training, it was a challenge leading the fight to protect our patients, Among them was UHW maternity services
that three members of the team in Kerry families and colleagues.” peer vaccinator Janet Murphy, Advanced
undertook without hesitation. Here’s Midwife Practitioner.
what they had to say. Mairéad O’Sullivan A/CNM2 Infant
Feeding Coordinator commented: “It The chapel at University Hospital Waterford
Joann Malik cAMP Maternity Services was lovely to start 2021 on such an historic (UHW) was used as the vaccination centre
seen below left giving Sandra O’Connor, note when vaccinations were rolled out for staff - this allowed for social distancing,
DOM UHK her flu vaccination across UHK on 7 January under Clinical vaccine stations, recovery area and access
commented: “It has been a pleasure to be Director Dr Niamh Feely, Consultant and exit planned and contained.
involved in the COVID-19 vaccinations Anaesthetist. It was indeed a huge privilege
programme. The atmosphere throughout to be part of such a fantastic historic event. “It was a privilege to both receive the
the campaign was one of excitement, a Administering the roll out of the vaccine COVID-19 vaccine and to give it to
beginning to the end of this pandemic.” gave colleagues and their family members colleagues in UHW in January 2021. A great
cause for extreme hope and joy for 2021. way to start the new year, offering a sense of
Carrie Dillon, CMS Bereavement and Personally, I felt it was a lovely area to relief, gratitude and hope for the future.”
Covid-19 Co-Ordinator Maternity work in where we felt fully supported and Janet Murphy, Advanced Midwife
Services commented: “It is one of the there was a huge sense of thanks from Practitioner, UHW
good news stories of 2021, when UHK candidates who received the vaccine.
began the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine Working as part of the vaccination team
rollout at the beginning of January. I along with my own role was challenging at
was so grateful to receive the vaccine times but extremely rewarding.”
Above left: Joann Malik cAMP Maternity Services giving Sandra O’Connor, DOM UHK her flu vaccination.
Above centre: Carrie Dillon, CMS Bereavement and Covid-19 Co-Ordinator Maternity Services.
Above right: Mairéad O’Sullivan A/CNM2 Infant Feeding Coordinator
Top: Janet Murphy, Advanced Midwife Practitioner, UHW. Above and centre: Peer vaccinators at the chapel in
University Hospital Waterford. Picture: Patrick Browne
Back to cover Story continued on next page Back Forward 3
South Tipperary General Hospital: Funding the COVID-19 fight: Ireland
COVID-19 Vaccinators South mass vaccinator training drive
A large multidisciplinary team of peer vaccinators in To help in the fight against COVID-19, First, they need to complete the initial Basic
STGH powered through the vaccination of colleagues Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate Life Support (BLS) training online. Then they
with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. Having achieved is funding and organising the training of attend face-to-face vaccinator training at
vaccination rates of over 70% for the flu vaccine hundreds of healthcare personnel in Kerry, locations such as Brookfield Health Science
in 2020, they were more than ready to roll out the Cork, Tipperary and Waterford to deliver the Complex, University College Cork and
COVID-19 vaccine. Up to 400 staff were vaccinated COVID-19 vaccine. Ireland South has already hotels in Kerry, Waterford and Tipperary.
in a day, thanks to the efficient scheduling work of reached the target of 500 trained vaccinators These training sessions include a two-hour
clerical staff, alongside the vaccinators themselves. and is continuing with the training drive for practical training for BLS as well as 1.5
as long as there is demand for it. hours of face-to-face training for anaphylaxis
Both Siobhán Kavanagh (Midwife) and Mary (severe allergic reaction). Following this,
O’Hanlon (CMM2, Colposcopy) returned from Professor John R. Higgins, Clinical Director COVID-19 vaccine specific training
retirement to assist with the peer vaccination drive. Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate (depending on the type of vaccine being
STGH are so grateful for their continued service and has granted the funding for the initiative; administered) can be done on HSELand, the
commitment to helping colleagues and staff. Katie Bourke, Director of Midwifery online training portal providing courses and
CUMH is leading the training drive and learning resources for staff in the HSE.
“Friday 8 January 2021 was a very historic day in Steve O’Connor, CUMH Finance Manager
STGH Clonmel with the arrival of the PfizerBionTech is managing and overseeing the operation. Commenting on the initiative, Professor
COVID-19 Vaccines. It was greeted with huge emotion Additional trainers were sourced thanks to John R. Higgins, Clinical Director Ireland
and applause. The vaccination team feels privileged close collaboration between local hospitals, South Women & Infants Directorate said:
and proud to help in keeping our colleagues safe and primary care, UCC, HSE Ambulance and the “Everyone needs to look after each other and
healthy, and to give hope of brighter days ahead and a company, Critical Care Training. help out in any way they can. This was one
better 2021. We continue with the vaccination of our way that we could help and we were delighted
colleagues and staff in the wider community. Stay safe The small army of vaccinators are crucial to to do so. It has been a major logistical
everyone and keep up the great work.” the rollout of vaccinations in our community exercise but the response from staff has just
Siobhán Kavanagh, Midwife STGH through hubs in the South and South West been incredible.”
of Ireland. This rollout is being co-ordinated
by Bridie O’Sullivan, Chief Director of If you are a doctor, midwife or nurse and
Nursing/Midwifery, SSWHG. are interested in attending these training
sessions, please contact Fiona Barton from
Vaccinators, who must be clinical staff such Critical Care Training on:
as nursing/midwifery or medics, need to fiona@criticalcaretraining.ie.
complete a number of training elements.
Pictured left: Steve O’Connor,
Finance Manager, Ireland South
Women & Infants Directorate
and Katie Bourke, Director of
Midwifery, CUMH in the clinical
skills laboratory in the School of
Nursing and Midwifery
Top: Siobhán Kavanagh, Midwife STGH (pictured here on her retirement day).
Above and centre: Peer vaccinators from STGH. Pictures: @SineadHorgan1 and @STGHnursing
Back to cover Back Forward 4
VISITOR SCHEDULING APP Continuity of care in STGH:
COMING TO CUMH The gold standard
by Katie Bourke, Director of Midwifery CUMH and Miriam Lyons, by Michele Frederick, Midwife, STGH
Head of Operations Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate
To prepare us for the easing of visitor hospital. This reduces the demands on
restrictions, we have been working on a resources at the hospital, reduces queueing Pictured far left:
new Visitor Scheduling App in CUMH that and ensures a more efficient approach to Roberta Moloney
will allow inpatients to nominate a visitor partners being able to support their loved holds baby Cillian
with her husband
who can book their preferred, available ones in a safe environment. Keith by her side.
visiting time at the hospital. It will also allow Pictured left:
partners to make a booking to attend the The app was developed by a Limerick Roberta Moloney
holding baby
anatomy scan through the app. This means based software company called Yellow Cillian with sons
that there is an accurate single source of data Schedule who originally applied to the HIHI Senan on left and
to ensure rapid contact tracing if required Healthcare Innovation Call to deliver safe Darragh on right
and will allow us to recommence access for visiting solutions to hospitals. This app was
partners in a safe and controlled manner. successfully introduced to South Infirmary
Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) last
The benefit of an app also means that year. We are currently testing the solution We are passionate about providing a woman- 2021. As her midwife, I cared for Roberta
it reduces the administrative burden of in CUMH, fine tuning it for our needs and centred maternity service in South Tipperary throughout her pregnancy, visited her
General Hospital (STGH) in accordance after the birth on the postnatal ward and
scheduling visitors over the phone and training staff in its deployment to ensure it
with the Maternity Strategy. As a result, at home for her postnatal visit. Roberta as
conducting screening for COVID-19 in is fit for purpose once launched. The aim is
we have set up three midwife-led clinics, a low-risk mother had a straightforward
person. Nominated partners receive a to roll it out across all maternity units in our
one in Clonmel, one in Thurles and one in vaginal birth and was discharged within 24
bar code to enable fast track entry to the directorate in due course.
Tipperary town, to offer women choice and hours to return home with the new baby to
community-based integrated care as close as her husband and two older sons. Speaking
possible to home. about the service, Roberta said: “I’m so
thrilled I chose midwife led care to support
Our midwifery led clinics offer the me throughout my pregnancy. For me, it
supported care pathway for normal-risk meant continuity of care right throughout
mothers and babies, where midwives lead my pregnancy, home visits after the delivery
and deliver care within a multidisciplinary and the icing on the cake was being able to
framework. The gold standard is to go home after 24 hours. There’s no place like
offer continuity of care for our patients. home to rest and recover and being able to
Continuity of care is when a woman sees the get back to my two older children as soon as
same midwife throughout her pregnancy, possible was amazing.”
including postnatally in hospital and at
home. This helps to ensure safe care based As a midwife, it’s so rewarding to offer
on a relationship of mutual trust and respect continuity of care, and while it can be
and has been associated with a lower rate of challenging to deliver for a variety of reasons,
interventions and increased satisfaction in we are aiming to offer continuity of carer
childbirth. where possible. We are also in the process of
finalising our Early Transfer Home service in
The first woman to benefit from the STGH and aim to have that up and running
continuity of care model is Roberta Moloney, in the coming weeks and months to provide
who gave birth to her third son in early more choices for the women of Tipperary.
Back to cover Back Forward 5
Beep beep - Ireland South
fleet gets ready to roll
Glistening in white and green and a better experience and more choice to
proudly brandishing the brand, the fleet women,” Maternity Strategy (2016).
of Ireland South cars were distributed
across the directorate in early 2021. First Women who attend hospitals within the
arriving in Cork University Maternity directorate are provided with an expert
Hospital (CUMH) in the latter half of service as well as choice with regards
2020, the cars were personally driven to to the type of care and birthing options
the maternity units of University Hospital available, such as Early Transfer Home
Kerry (UHK), University Hospital and DOMINO services.
Waterford (UHW) and South Tipperary
General Hospital (STGH) by Miriam The stylish Hyundai i30 Fastback Estates
Lyons, Head of Operations, Ireland South are branded with Ireland South Women
Women & Infants Directorate. & Infants Directorate on the bonnet and
sides, while also featuring the hospital
The cars are to support the provision name and HSE logo on the rear. The
of midwifery-led care in line with cars are also being used for community
the maternity strategy that is “safe, outreach where appropriate.
standardised, of high-quality and offers
Pictured above: Sandra Pictured opposite top: CUMH: Ireland South branded car with CUMH
O’Connor, Director of team. Opposite middle: UHW: Dr Eddie O’Donnell, Clinical Lead UHW;
Midwifery UHK; Dr Breda Crotty, A/DOM UHW; Paula Curtin, Director of Midwifery UHW, Janet
Paul Hughes, Clinical Murphy, Advanced Midwife Practitioner, UHW. Opposite lower left: UHK:
Lead UHK; Joann Malik, Joann Malik, Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner and Eimear Galvin,
Candidate Advanced Community Midwife get ready to roll. Opposite lower right: STGH: Sinéad
Midwife Practitioner; Heaney, Director of Midwifery STGH and Dr Vijay Hiremath, Clinical Lead
and Fearghal Grimes, STGH being handed the keys to the Ireland South car by Miriam Lyons, Head of
General Manager UHK Operations, Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate
Back to cover Back Forward 6
tremendous work in reducing waiting lists. “We had the
longest waiting lists in the country back in 2017 – 4,700
people waiting for an appointment. Through a range of
initiatives we got that down to just over 1,000 before Covid
hit, which we were very proud of. Covid set us back but we’ve
got it back to that figure again. We’re all working differently
but staff are so relieved to be back to some sort of normality.”
Pictured right: Niamh Spillane, Clinical Midwife
Manager 3 – Gynae Services, CUMH
Drawing on Inner Strength
Having new mums asking if their baby’s Personally, Alex, originally from Kerry, had
grandparents can hold them when they get concerns for her own parents over the past
home was just so sad. That’s a memory of few months: “I haven’t been home since
the past few months that will stay with Alex February and I have found that quite tough.
Reflecting on a Covid year at Campbell, Candidate Advanced Midwife
Practitioner at CUMH. “Midwives are all
They did come up during the summer, and I
hope to get home over Christmas again.”
CUMH: The impact on personal about supporting women anyway during
what is a massive event for them. But I Getting the keys to her first house over
and professional lives feel like I had some particularly touching
moments this year with women. It’s normal
lockdown was something more positive
and helped keep her busy outside of work:
Adapted from an article in the Echo 23 Dec by Emma Connolly to be nervous when having a baby, it’s a very “An old friend of mine has moved back to
emotional and powerful time regardless Cork since Covid and is renting a room from
of Covid, and of course nobody wanted to me, one of the good things to come out of the
come in the hospital alone. It was sad to past few months.”
Niamh Spillane has worked in Cork “We all had to do things differently. Our
see women wave goodbye to their families
University Maternity Hospital for the past Clinical Director described it as a ‘marathon’
but everyone understood this was the safest She’s feeling hopeful for 2021: “The
12 years, and took on a new role, Clinical and said it would be long and hard, but our
thing for everyone. It was our job to instil vaccine is a very promising development,
Midwife Manager 3 for Gynae Services and priority was to keep our staff and patients
confidence in them, and what will also stay even though we have a long way to go.
Pregnancy Loss, just as the global pandemic safe and that’s what we did. It was quite
with me is their inner strength.” Hopefully, that will mean things will be
hit. This role saw her as line manager for stressful, there was a huge amount of training
gentler on people and we can bring back
a complex ward that deals with general involved but we adapted over the months.
Just recently, restrictions in CUMH have some normality. As humans, we all love
gynaecological services, gynaecological When it comes to pregnancy losses, the care is
relaxed to allow partners attend the 20- connection and we miss that, so hopefully
cancers and also pregnancy loss. centred around tenderness and compassion.
week scan, but the amount of time they can there’ll be more of that next year.”
We worked on a case-by-case basis as you
stay after the delivery is still limited.
Some weeks were busier than others and only get one chance to get it right.”
the first few months were very challenging
“What I have noticed though is that in some
as everyone – patients and staff, both She often encounters mums-to-be arriving
cases this has resulted in partners being
personally and professionally, adapted to at the hospital’s screening tent on admission.
more present. They know they can make the
how they lived and worked. “Wearing masks can make it more difficult to
phone calls to people afterwards so they’re
reassure them, so it’s all about the eye contact
more focused on what’s happening in the
Niamh is originally from Carrigtwohill and having a conversation, just a little word, Pictured left:
moment. We’re also seeing more partners
and lives in the city. She has five grown up to help them get to the next stage.” Alex Campbell,
having skin-to-skin contact with the baby Candidate
children in ages ranging from 34 to 23. Her
straight away because they know they have Advanced Midwife
family, and her wonderful colleagues, she Elective surgery has resumed on the ward Practitioner, CUMH
limited time and that this is so beneficial.”
said, got her through the past few months. since July, and Niamh says they’ve done
Back to cover Back Forward 7
We also find that the group is an effective as easy as possible – one size does not fit
way to communicate back to our staff on the all so we have a variety of digital and print
things that MN-CMS are already dealing options available. The form is very short
with, as a lot of things are going on in the too, simply requesting a short outline of the
background that people do not know about. issue experienced, and a suggestion on how
For example, from a nutrition perspective, it could be addressed. Currently, we send a
there were requests for growth charts for monthly email reminder to all relevant staff
Down Syndrome and we discovered that with the feedback from attached. We also
MN-CMS have been working on this for have printed copies on hand in each area
over a year already, and we could feed that and staff are free to hand it to their local
back to the team. representative or to me at any time.
How often do you meet as a group? A copy of the feedback template is also
We try to meet monthly to review the issues available on the CUMH sharedrive and we
that have arisen. It’s important to note that have recently set up a web version too via
there are already structures in place for http://mncmsfeedback.irelandsouthwid.ie/
Pictured above: Dr Brian Walsh, Consultant Neonatologist, CUMH major issues. If users experience a technical
problem, they still need to contact their local What is the impact of being part of a
The Feedback Loop: The MN-CMS back office personnel. national system, in terms of getting
changes implemented?
Staff Engagement Group Have you received much feedback to-
date through the group?
The MN-CMS governance structure
can mean that it is slow to get changes
The MN-CMS Staff Engagement Group implemented. The system is built for every
Ireland’s Maternal and Newborn Clinical overwhelming our local administrators with went live in early September 2020 so we’re maternity centre in the country, so every
Management System (MN-CMS) is the design lots of similar considerations. still relatively new. We had an initial surge in change is a national change that requires
and implementation of an electronic health feedback and now we are steadily receiving national agreement.
record (EHR) for all women and babies in The staff engagement group acts to bring feedback on a regular basis.
maternity services in Ireland. MN-CMS is together a wide range of different stakeholders This can make individuals feel anonymous in
one of the largest and most important ICT to get as true a representation as possible, as We are all still learning and the programme the system. Therefore it’s important to have a
projects ever undertaken in Irish healthcare. to how individuals interact with the system. itself is continuously being developed. We local voice for staff to raise issues. Not every
Both CUMH and UHK currently have the There are 27 of us in total, each representing all follow a certain process when using the issue raised will necessarily lead to a change,
MN-CMS system in place, with UHW and a particular department, area, or ward. These system and some of us have figured out but having a local voice can reassure staff so
STGH in the pipeline. local representatives gather feedback from tricks to get things done – however, that that they know their voice is heard. It’s also
the people in their area and also feed back to doesn’t always fit into the way the system good to get affirmation that the issue you
We chat with Dr Brian Walsh, Consultant their area on developments in the pipeline. It’s was designed to work. So it’s important have raised is something other users have
Neonatologistat at CUMH and Chair of important that staff have a familiar, friendly to get feedback from people to try and identified too. Lastly, we help to keep staff
the MN-CMS Staff Engagement Group for face to raise concerns with and be informed of standardise the ways of doing things that informed when these issues are still being
Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate. what is happening locally too. work well – this is especially important in worked on, and that they are not forgotten
relation to patient care. about as changes can take a long time to be
Why was the MN-CMS Staff Does the MN-CMS Staff Engagement implemented. This communication loop is
Engagement Group set up? Group have a particular focus? It’s often the little day-to-day things that helpful for everyone.
While MN-CMS has a clearly defined While our remit is wide, the group is annoy us that can make a big difference to
governance structure locally and nationally, especially effective as a way to gather the our engagement with the system, and often
with administrators and representatives in niggly things that slow us down and frustrate it’s just a case of education to iron out some
each hospital, it’s also important to have us. These things tend to relate to usability of these issues.
a local voice. The staff engagement group rather than larger technical issues with the
assists in gathering the thoughts of users into system but are still important to get right to What is the process for users to follow
themes, that can be sent back to the MNCMS ensure engagement. to give feedback through the group?
trainers and administrators, rather than We want the ability to share feedback to be
Back to cover Back Forward 8
midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetist and What’s planned for 2021?
neonatologists to name but a few. The I am contacting the original committee
relationships between disciplines improve members of MaternityONESouth to see if
the quality of care we provide to women and they are still in a position to commit to the
their babies and increase job satisfaction. project. Some members have changed roles
Obstetric and neonatal emergencies are and are no longer available. This means that
part of our job but they can cause stress there will be opportunities for new member
and anxiety for staff and women/families. to join the committee and contribute to this
During emergencies, when teams work and critical project – the first true directorate
communicate cohesively and collaboratively, wide project of its kind.
the situation is less stressful for all involved
and the outcomes are better for everyone. An enhanced Q-Pulse module has been
purchased and work is underway with
In order for that to happen, we need Health Care informed (HCI) Ireland and
training. Ongoing multidisciplinary training our local ICT Department to install this.
improves our performance and confidence Once fully implemented, all clinical staff will
in our ability to work as part of a team.
MaternityONESouth is back with Mandatory training schedules in BLS (Basic
Life Support), NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation
have access to their own training record on
Q-Pulse to book courses and automatically
see their profile updated when training
Kate Lyons in the driving seat Programme) and PROMPT (Practical
Obstetric Multi-Professional Training) will
has been attended. This will be especially
useful for managers who will be able to
be implemented. MaternityONESouth is easily audit staff training compliance within
aiming to provide protected training time for their departments. Policies, procedures and
Tell us about your new role as project policies, procedures, protocols & guidelines staff which is appropriately resourced with guidelines will be accessible on Q-Pulse too.
manager for MaternityONESouth (PPPGs) across the directorate, pool our backfill cover to ensure staff can identify
I’m delighted to take on this new role as resources and avoid duplication of effort. and respond to obstetric and neonatal We will soon be developing a training
project manager for MaternityONESouth This really is a key benefit of being part emergencies. schedule and there will be opportunities for
thanks to funding that has been provided of a maternity network like Ireland South
clinicians to get involved in the facilitation of
by NMPDU for one year. I was originally a Women & Infants Directorate. What will MaternityONESouth do for this training.
committee member so I am very familiar healthcare professionals in Ireland South?
with this project that was started in 2019 We can all be forgiven if the purpose
• Accessible mandatory training schedules Why should you get involved / how do you
by Katie Bourke, Director of Midwifery is a distant memory – the last
and courses in obstetric and neonatal get involved?
CUMH and Dervla Hogan, SSWHG MaternityONESouth meeting in March
emergencies for all clinical staff. This To summarise, this project aims to improve
Project Management Office Liaison. 2020 had to be cancelled as COVID-19
will improve confidence in identifying the safety and quality of the service we
had arrived and since then we have all
and treating women and their babies provide to women and their babies when
As you may know, in MaternityONESouth been living and working in strange times.
appropriately in these situations. emergencies occur, and to ensure all our
the ONE stands for Obstetric and Neonatal Nevertheless, we can all be proud of our
ability to continue to provide quality care • Protected time to access training staff have access to evidence-based up-to-
Emergencies. The project was developed
under extremely difficult circumstances to • Policies, procedures, protocols & date policies and training. Together we are
in response to the Health Information and
women, babies and their families in Ireland guidelines (PPPGs) which are standardised stronger, and when we share resources and
Quality Authority (HIQA) published ‘Guide
South Women & Infants Directorate. and evidence based in obstetric and experiences we can all feel even more proud
to HIQA’s monitoring programme against
neonatal emergencies of the work we do.
the National Standards for Safer Better
Maternity Services, with a focus on obstetric Remind us why MaternityONESouth is • The knowledge that women with antenatal
so important? If you are interested in hearing more or
emergencies’. risk factors in their pregnancies have been getting involved, please do not hesitate to
Ultimately it’s all about improving care identified early and have access to care contact me at kate.lyons1@hse.ie or call me
The purpose is to create a maternity for mothers and babes in the case of pathway to meet their needs. on 087 781 8063 and I will be delighted to
network training strategy for obstetric obstetric emergencies. We all work as part
• Accessible training records and other discuss the project with you. I look forward
emergencies and develop standardised of a multidisciplinary team, with nurses,
documents required for HIQA inspections. to working with you all!
Back to cover Story continued on following page Back Forward 9Health and Social Care
Profession staff numbers
continue to grow
by Maria Leahy, Acting Manager of Social Work Services, CUH
and representative HSCP member for Ireland South 2020/2021
We can never claim to have a world-class provision of an optimal service, we are
healthcare system without the support making progress. By the Summer of
Welcome Dr Mairéad Butler, of Health and Social Care Professions
(HSCPs). Ireland South Women & Infants
2021, we will see dedicated and whole-
time posts in dietetic and social work
Consultant Obstetrician & Directorate are committed to continue to
invest in HSCPs and grow our numbers
services in all four units, expansion of the
pharmacy services in CUMH and a new
in all relevant disciplines. A health and whole-time dedicated pharmacy post in
Gynaecologist at UHW wellbeing approach is so important to UHW. One of the greatest demands on
ensure that babies get the best start in our maternity and gynaecology service is
life and that mothers and families are the need for physiotherapists and one of
We are delighted to welcome a new must have been strongly influenced supported and empowered. our next priorities is to have a whole-time
consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist by her family background. Mairéad’s physiotherapist in each location.
to University Hospital Waterford mother was a Clinical Midwife The number and types of HSCPs in our
(UHW), Dr Mairéad Butler who started Specialist in Sonography in UHW for 20 directorate are illustrated in the table
on 30 December 2020. years and her sister is also a Midwife – a below. While a number of these professions
CMS in Sonography too. She has always are dedicated to maternity services, the
Originally from South Kilkenny, wanted to be a doctor and is now not majority provide services to both maternity
Mairéad went to school in the Sacred only working in the hospital her mother service users as well as patients in the
Heart in Ferrybank, Waterford before used to work in, but also in the hospital general hospital setting. We continue to
studying Medicine in University College she was originally born in. push for dedicated staff for maternity,
Cork. After graduating in 2006, she gynaecology and neonatology services
gained experience both in Ireland in Commenting on the new role, Dr and to look to NWIHP for funding by
the Coombe, Dublin and as a Junior Mairéad Butler said: “I’m really excited highlighting the gaps across our directorate.
Registrar in CUMH in 2010/2011. to be in working as a consultant
Mairéad received her specialist training Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in While it will take some time to fully
in Australia and was planning to take a University Hospital Waterford. While resource all professions to enable the
6 months break to travel around Europe I look forward to supporting the team
before starting her first consultant in all areas, I have a special interest
HSCP CUMH STGH UHK UHW Total Pictured above:
position in UHW. COVID-19 put a stop in early pregnancy and pregnancy loss Maria Leahy, Acting
Dietetics 3 0.7 0.1 0 3.8
to that plan but Mairéad still enjoyed the and hope to support Dr Azy Khalid in Manager of Social
Occupational Therapy 0.6 0 0 0 0.6
time off before starting her new role. further developing the pregnancy loss Work Services, CUH
Pharmacy 2.6 0 0.5 0 3.1 and representative
services. Coming to work here really feels HSCP member for
While she was introduced to the right. Given I was born here, I feel like Physiotherapy 5.75 0.4 0.6 0.5 7.25
Maternity Directorate
obstetrics specialty in the Mercy I’ve gone full circle. It’s a real privilege Social Work 5.8 1 0 0.5 7.3 2020/2021
Hospital in Melbourne, Mairéad’s to serve the women and infants in the Speech & Language 1 0 0 0 1
decision to become an obstetrician South East.” Table 1: HSCP numbers across Ireland South in February 2021
Back to cover Back Forward 10Setting high standards:
Ireland South Green Group
Dr Cathy Burke, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at
CUMH introduces the Ireland South Green Group
For more information contact cumh.greengroup@hse.ie
Far left: Dr Cathy
Burke, Consultant
Obstetrician and Pictured above left: Katie Ryan, Gynaecology Secretary CUMH showing off the new bins in the gynae
Gynaecologist secretariat. By removing personal bins in this area and replacing them with larger bins, we will save over
CUMH and Ireland 1000 plastic bags annually in this area alone! Pictured centre: Barbara Hall, Green Advocate, Outpatients
South Green Group Department in CUMH. Pictured above right: Claire Delaney, Green Advocate CME CUMH
Lead. Left: Renu
Bala, CNM2 in
Waste Management,
member of Ireland Group aims to tap into the available such as Repak have great online advice
South Green Group
information and resources and with the regarding recycling (https://repak.ie/).
help of staff in our maternity units, we We can reduce environmental pollution
can then make necessary changes. by walking, cycling or using public
Tell us a bit about what the Ireland change to the Green Group committee,
transport for our journeys when possible.
South Green Group is hoping to as well as helping colleagues to adopt
What can we do in our day-to- Choosing to eat less meat and more
achieve? green practices in your workplace.
day lives to improve our green plant-based meals is both healthier and
The Ireland South Green Group aims Our committee has representatives
credentials? better for the environment. Change is
to work together with staff to reduce from STGH, UHK, UHW and CUMH
We all know of the 3 R’s; “reduce, re- difficult, but if each person makes some
the carbon footprint of our hospitals. maternity units and we meet every
use, recycle” when it comes to waste. small changes, the cumulative effect is
Working in maternity units where our month to discuss changes and how to
Following this advice is now more really big. And the next generations will
next generation is born, we need to set a achieve them. If you are interested,
important than ever. Organisations thank us for it!
high standard in caring for the world the please contact cumh.greengroup@
babies we help to deliver will grow up hse.ie and you will be directed to your
in. By minimising the amount of waste nearest Green Group member.
we produce, by recycling, and by using
both energy and water efficiently, we can Why is it so important for healthcare
achieve a lot. All that is required is the industries to be interested in being
right information and some motivation! green?
The healthcare industry unfortunately Far left: Helen Maher,
Who else is involved in the Green contributes to global warming and Estates Manager,
Group, and how do you become climate change. We need to learn how National Health
Sustainability Office.
involved? we can minimise the impact our work Left: Dr Azy
Any staff member can be part of our has on the environment. There are Khalid, Consultant
Green Group. You can become a frameworks that we can work from Obstetrician and
such as the HSE Green Healthcare Gynaecologist, UHW
Green Advocate in your work area.
This involves making suggestions for Programme. The Ireland South Green
Back to cover Back Forward 11THE HOME-SCHOOLING / hours. While they go to the same school,
they all use different software from Aladdin
to See Saw to Gmail to Hotmail – it’s too
almost 8 year-old in second class. Maghela
works 30 hours a week with a night shift
every five weeks.
WORKING BALANCING ACT much for my parents to handle during
the day. We have one laptop and had to “I found this lockdown with home-
AS A FRONTLINE WORKER borrow another from my grandparents.
I also had to purchase two iPads at the
schooling easier than the first, when the
children found it difficult to get into the
start of the year which was expensive. mind-set of actually learning at home.
Furthermore, I have to leave the teenager We now have established a good routine
to his own devices online, which is not ideal during the week. The 13 year-old is more
but totally unavoidable.” self-directed and has more Zoom calls and
online classes so mainly needs help with
The re-opening of primary schools her work after those.”
in March isn’t providing relief at the
moment. “My youngest went back to school Maghela is lucky as her husband, who
this week but he’s still getting an hour of also works shifts, is usually able to work
homework as it’s his communion year and opposite shifts to her so can help with
they have a lot of religious preparation to the home-schooling too. “Between us
catch up on. So he’s often working in the we can cover most of the childcare and
afternoons while the others are finished, home-schooling. We’re in a bubble with my
which is creating agro at home.” brother and sister-in-law so if we’re both
working night shifts, one can stay over to
The glimmer of light at the end of the mind the children.”
tunnel will come in mid-April when her
It was incredibly difficult for many healthcare workers when schools closed again eldest returns to secondary. However, for “As I can share the load with my husband,
at the start of 2021 due to Level 5 restrictions. Those with young children had to five weeks he will have to stay at home I’ve actually enjoyed the time I’ve spent
balance coming into work with providing childcare and home-schooling at home. while the others are in school. “At 13, he’s with the children – I have got to know their
too old to have my parents babysit him all abilities and strengths better. I also have an
We spoke to a selection of staff in our maternity units in Ireland South Women & day, so I’m not sure what to do with him understanding principal who has reassured
Infants Directorate to see how they are coping. yet, it’s a little stressful thinking about it.” us that schoolwork does not have to be done
every day. That lightens the load too.”
Mairéad is very grateful for the flexibility
Mairéad O’Sullivan, working, he’s been allowed work this year that UHK maternity services have offered. Cathy Cronin, Midwife
and so he’s not around to share the load as “I do my half day of admin work at home
Lactation Consultant, much. Luckily, we’ve been able to create a on Tuesdays, and while it may take a Labour Ward, Cork University
University Hospital Kerry bubble with my parents and a first cousin full day to actually get it done with the Maternity Hospital
who is out of work due to the closure of kids around, it still makes things more
Mairéad has four children, ranging in the hotel industry, and so we’ve shared the manageable, I’m very grateful for the “It’s probably been the most stressful
ages from 8 to 13 with three in primary childcare between us.” support I have received and the flexibility and toughest couple of months I can
and the eldest in secondary. Mairéad of my shifts when required.” remember to date”, answers Cathy
works 32 hours a week, taking 7 hours a Mairéad mostly manages the home- Cronin to the question, how have you
week as parental leave. schooling herself for the children in Maghela Coen, Midwife, South found the start of the year both home-
primary. “It’s quite a balancing act. They schooling and working?
“It’s been quite overwhelming and a all have zoom calls at different times of the Tipperary General Hospital
headache to be honest,” she says. “My day so I often need to be there and so need Cathy has been a midwife for over 15
husband works in construction and while to work around those. Home schooling Maghela has five children, three are in years and has five children from the ages
he could help out with the kids during the is usually left to the evening time when I university in the UK and two are at home, of 2 to 8, with one in preschool and three
first lockdown as he was prevented from return at 6-8pm and can take a couple of including a 13 year-old in first year and an in primary. She works 19.5 hours
Back to cover Story continued on next page Back Forward 12a week doing the night shift. Cathy has Maeve works 27 hours a week and her
struggled a lot as both her own mother husband works on the frontline too as a
and her mother-in-law are high risk and detective. As they are from Wexford, there
so cannot help at home. To make things is not the option of family close-by to help
even more challenging, her husband is a with the children. Luckily, they have been
farmer and this time of the year is when able to work opposite shifts to ensure one
he is most busy. of them can oversee the children. “We’re
lucky that our work has been flexible to
“We do have a young woman in our bubble allow us to change our days and times to
who minds the children when I return ensure we have cover at home.”
from the night shift and need to sleep from
6.30am until 1pm. Once I get up, I do the “As they’re that little bit older, they don’t
home-schooling. As they’re very young and need too much handholding with the
two are learning to read, they need one- home-schooling. Getting them up in the
to-one support so it can take at least four morning and ensuring they are doing their
hours to get through it all.” work is the main focus. The monotony of it
all is getting to them now and they really
Like many who do not specialise in miss their friends. I had to be a lot more
education, Cathy feels she wasn’t built for lenient with my son and allow him on the
home-schooling and so, the reopening of PlayStation mid-week which would never
primary schools in March is a huge relief. have happened during school term.”
“Since the schools opened, it’s been like a The increase in gaming is a common
big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. feature in homes of parents with children
I no longer dread the week ahead on a of similar ages. With the structure gone,
Sunday once the ping of email signals the and the days long and the weather poor,
return to the home-schooling week ahead.
Things are going to get a bit easier.”
it’s one of the few ways children can have
fun and communicate with their friends.
Bereavement Standards: From
Maeve Murphy, Gynaecology
How easy it will be to reverse the trend
once school starts remains to be seen.
Implementation to Oversight
Nurse, Maternity Services
University Hospital Waterford
Friday, 19 February 2021 marked the We sincerely thank them for leading and
end of four years of development and advocating for perinatal bereavement
“I can’t wait for the schools to open,” says
implementation of National Standards care in Ireland. Both will continue
Maeve Murphy, a Gynaecology Nurse
for Bereavement Care following to provide oversight to the ongoing
from UHW. Maeve has two children; a son
Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death. development of the National Standards
aged 11 and a daughter, 13. “I’m excited
Congratulations to Professor Keelin for Bereavement Care Following
for them to get back to school and see their
O’Donoghue, Consultant Obstetrician & Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death in
friends and get back to their norm.”
Gynaecologist in CUMH in her role as all 19 maternity units in Ireland.
National Implementation Lead for the
“It’s been very hard on them being stuck Pictured above: Professor Keelin O’Donoghue,
Standards and Rióna Cotter, Midwife in
indoors with the bad weather and without National Implementation Lead for the Standards
Quality & Patient Safety, CUMH who
the outlet of being able to play sport with and Rióna Cotter, Midwife, Programme Manager
led as Programme Manager.
their friends or anything. It’s been quite
intense at home as a result, as they only
get to see us, their parents.”
Back to cover Back Forward 13INNOVATION & RESEARCH
UHK AUDITS: REVIEWING
THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE
By Dr Savita Lalchandani, Consultant Obstetrician
& Gynaecologist UHK
An audit of patient satisfaction in an An audit on outpatient hysteroscopy – cervical
outpatient hysteroscopy clinic setting dilatation, failure rates and patient satisfaction
R. Roseingrave, S. Lalchandani Department met or excelled beyond the set standards on S Boyd and S Lalchandani Department of Discussion/Conclusion: Outpatient
of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UHK. Irish all aspects of care. Almost all of the women Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UHK. hysteroscopy is a well-tolerated and safe
Medical Journal 2021; Vol 114; No. 2; P262 felt that the staff listened to them (96.5%; Clin J Obstet Gynecol. 2021; 4: 003-006. procedure. Benefits of an outpatient
58/60) and took enough time with them hysteroscopy service include no requirement
Aims: We aimed to review experiences of (98.5%; 59/60). Almost all of the women Aims: To audit the use of cervical dilators, for formal theatre facilities; short periods of
women attending the outpatient hysteroscopy (98.5%; 59/60) felt that the staff explained local anaesthetic, and failure rates in down time between patients; no requirement
clinic (OHC) in University Hospital Kerry what they wanted to know, gave good outpatiens hysteroscopy over a two-year for day case/inpatient beds; reduced wait
(UHK) across five months in 2017. advice and were friendly and helpful. Most period in University Hospital Kerry. To lists and overall cost; early diagnosis;
of the women (91.5%; 55/60) felt that the review the experiences of women attending continuity and reduction in the number of
Methods: Data collection was prospective supportive material provided was adequate. the outpatient hysteroscopy clinic (OHC) appointments and clinic visits. Suitability for
and on-site. Green-top Guideline No. 59: The majority of women rated the facilities over a two-year period in University Hospital outpatient hysteroscopy is not predictable
Best Practice in Outpatient Hysteroscopy, as neat and clean (85%; 51/60) and were Kerry (UHK). based on parity of menopausal status.
published by the Royal College of satisfied with the level of privacy afforded Women would elect to undergo outpatient
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), (80%; 48/60). Those that fell below the Methods: Retrospective data review was hysteroscopy again if required and this
was the standard used for comparison. standards included ease of locating the clinic carried out. Green-top Guideline No. 59: is likely due to several reasons including
The questionnaire centred on the and comfort while waiting. Best Practice in Outpatient Hysteroscopy, convenience and lack of requirement for
following themes: ease of getting to clinic; published by the Royal College of general anaesthetic.
attendance at clinic; written information; Conclusion: Despite the majority reporting Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG),
recommendation to a friend or relative; pain; mild to moderate pain, almost all the women was the standard used for comparison.
staff assessment and facility. Questions were (93.5%; 56/60) would recommend the clinic
either multiple choice, with the options of to a friend. Changes have been instituted Results: Two hundred and twenty women
‘very good’, ‘good’, ‘fair’ or ‘poor’, or yes/no. since the audit, including installation of new were seen over a two-year period. The
There was a visual analogue score for pain, signage to direct women to the clinic. A re- average age was 48. The most common
and a space left for comments. audit questionnaire has been developed to complaint being of menorrhagia/irregular
review the service. Outpatient hysteroscopy bleeding per vaginum. Local anaesthetic was
Results: There was a one hundred percent is a convenient and acceptable experience for used in just under one third of cases, of which
response rate (100%; 60/60). Six aspects of women attending our gynaecology services half required cervical dilatation. Most women
the service met the required standards, and as it has significant patient benefits and cost reported experiencing mild to moderate
five failed to meet the standards. Aspects savings. Benefits for women include reduced levels of discomfort, however, most would
that met the standards included convenience recovery time and faster return to work, as opt for an outpatient hysteroscopic procedure
of service and staff assessment. The staff well as engagement with care. again if required.
Back to cover Back Forward 14You can also read
