Northern Ireland: RCN NI appoints Senior Professional Development Officer – eHealth
Published: 22 April 2009
Northern Ireland Update
From KAY KANE, the new postholder.
I have recently taken on this post, jointly funded by the European Centre for Connected Health in Northern Ireland, with a view to contributing to the design and delivery of eHealth development opportunities for nursing in particular and, in general, for the health and social care community in the province.
With the eHealth agenda gathering momentum, it is important to engage with nurses to understand their perceptions on how new eHealth initiatives will impact on their practice and existing roles. I will be helping nurses keep up to date with current trends by disseminating information on developments in eHealth. It is also intended to establish an eHealth forum as a hub for new ideas and to promote nursing proactively in eHealth.
Long term conditions
The European Centre for Connected Health is preparing for a regional Remote Telemonitoring Service (RTNI) for patients with chronic conditions. With an anticipated 5,000 patients in Northern Ireland being monitored in the community by 2011, we hope that patients will become more active in managing their conditions and that nursing will have a key role in assessment, teaching and reviewing care. New nursing practice will likely emerge and having such a regional approach will add to the evidence on the management of long term conditions. I will be providing support for trust staff in the implementation of this service.
A local training needs analysis will identify gaps in education and I will liaise with colleagues in education to assist in the design of pre and post registration courses. Information on eHealth projects and good practice initiatives will be added to the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council (NIPEC) database.
Sharing information across the four countries will be instrumental in avoiding pitfalls and optimising opportunities, so I will link with colleagues in similar roles in the RCN and in the Departments of Health for England, Scotland and Wales.