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INMO proud to support ID nursing
As ID nursing celebrates 60 years in Ireland, the INMO is proud to back the ID sector. In 2015 there was a protest (pictured above) as part of the Campaign for Excellence in RNIDwhich had the objective of supporting and re-affirming the content of the social policy document and the central role of the RNID and highlighting the cuts in services across the country, which have had a detrimental effect on service standards and the wellbeing of clients
The INMO has a long tradition of sup- porting the RNID; the inaugural meeting of the Section for Nurses of the Mentally Handicapped Persons took place in Octo- ber 1975. While the name has changed, the RNID Section has maintained its enthu- siasm to represent and advocate for this role. This has become increasingly impor- tant with the significant changes that have occurred as a result of decongregation of services for people with intellectual disa- bilities and the emphasis of a social model of care. Change in role This has resulted in a change in the role of the RNID and the makeup of the team delivering ID services. RNIDs are at the forefront of debates and changes in prac- tice relating to health, social care, capacity, consent and the global rights of the person with an intellectual disability. The RNID is the most ideally placed pro- fessional to deliver excellence in care to people with intellectual disabilities in an interdisciplinary environment. The scope of practice of the RNID is unique as it enables nurses to offer a more expansive and holis- tic approach to compassion for and care of people with intellectual disabilities. These qualities embrace a biopsychosocial frame- work to providing care that is underpinned by the ethics and standards of a regulated profession. The nature, context and envi- ronment of care will continue to evolve to reflect the needs of individuals and society. In a health service envisaged by Sláinte- care, the RNID has a role in supporting and caring for people with intellectual disabil- ities to ensure that they have equality of
highlights that in 1965, the Commission of Inquiry on Mental Handicap had a signifi- cant impact on the direction of the role of the RNMS/RNID by emphasising the need for greater focus on social and emotional issues. The Commission on Nursing formed the basis for many of the developments that occurred within nursing and midwifery over the past two decades. Currently, the undergraduate BSc in intellectual disability nursing is offered by eight higher education institutions across the country. The move from apprenticeship to diploma and, subsequently, an undergraduate degree programme for all pre-registration nurses, including those working in ID services, has had a profound effect on the professional- isation of nursing and midwifery. This has been achieved through the educating of nurses in a range of areas that prepare them to deliver holistic care to the individual with an intellectual disability. The importance placed on research has encouraged nurses to question, explore and reflect on their practice to ensure that it is evidence-based and meets the ongoing needs of the indi- vidual and wider society. The introduction of the centres for nurse education and the increasing importance placed on continuing education have provided opportunities for further educational support for all nurses and midwives. CNS and ANP posts have been devel- oped in ID services but at a comparatively lower number to other divisions of the NMBI register. 4 This is despite an over- whelming interest from RNIDs to further their education and develop these roles.
access in the hospital and across primary care settings. This role should be expanded beyond ID services to encompass the full panoply of health services including maternity services, children’s services, acute care, chronic disease management, care of the older person and palliative care, thus ensuring that the RNID is avail- able to provide optimum care. People with intellectual disabilities and their families use the full breadth of health services and should have access, where required, to the RNID, who has skills designed specifically to meet their needs, eg. behaviour support, autism and mental health. The opportunities for the development and expansion of the RNID role are there to be grasped. It is vital that the RNID is clear about their role, what differentiates them from other health and social care workers in ID services and, most importantly, the difference they can make to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The vision outlined in the HSE’s Shaping the Future document is to set a clear direc- tion for RNIDs, “one that is sustainable and has person-centredness, safety and inclu- sion at its heart”. By doing this, according to the document, higher levels of excel- lence in the delivery of ID nursing can be achieved within the Irish health service. 10 It is vital that the RNID remains focused and engaged to ensure ongoing quality and excellence in care within the ID sector. Ailish Byrne, Marian Spelman and Jacinta Mulhere are members of the INMO RNID Section and Steve Pitman is INMO head of education and professional development
References available on request by email to: nursing@ medmedia.ie (quote Byrne WIN 2019: 27 (9): 26-27)
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