Supporting each other through challenging times

Published: 18 August 2011

What happened at the recent Northern Ireland study day? Richard Brownhill reports.

The title of the day wasSupporting each other through challenging times.

Mark Gillespie who attended the study day said: “We had realised that the old network in NI had not been functioning and there was a clear need to provide some on the ground support to members. The day was then designed to outline for ED staff how the RCN could support them. It also gave them the opportunity to ask an expert panel about the future changes to emergency care delivery in NI and to provide some degree of education.”

“As an elected RCN ECA member I felt that we needed to re-engage with our colleagues on the ground.” 

It is anticipated that this will be the first of a number of sessions. This session was supported by Garrett Martin, an assistant director at the RCN in Northern Ireland, who will facilitate a following up meeting to decide on the way forward. 

The team involved also felt that a leadership day to help equip our staff for the challenges that lie ahead would be beneficial.

Robert Crouch, Consultant Nurse, Southampton University Hospitals Emergency Deptarement, travelled over to present at the event. and Robert Sowney, RCN NI Board Member, also presented.

Chair of the ECA Jim Bethel and Alan Dobson were in attendance in Belfast. Roisin Devlin also contributed to this day.