About

What is the Institute of Community Health Nursing?

The Institute is a professional and educational body representing Public Health Nursing and Community RGNs throughout the State. It is not a trade union, but an organisation of Public Health Nurses and Community RGNS , incorporated in 1985, to promote Community-nursing services through continuing education, development and research. Developed on the model of modern science institutes, there are branches in each of the Health Service Executive(HSE) regions. Groups, formed nationally, (sometimes referred to as Special Interest Groups) cater for members who wish to be more active in the study and development of some special areas of community nursing service e.g. care of the elderly, child health,disability,professional development.

What Does The Institute Do?

Through its Branches and Interest Groups, it provides a forum for the Public Health Nurses and Community RGNS to share their ideas and experiences in a common goal of health care development.
Acts as a centre of unity and a practical resource/advice centre for the members.
Acts as a consultative body available to inform the Department of Health & Children when requested.
Offers opportunities for specialists in other disciplines or from educational and research institutes to exchange ideas with those actively involved in delivering the nursing services.
Investigates and studies critical issues facing community and national health care services through conferences, seminars, workshops at Branch level and through the activities of the Interest Groups.
Publicises information about future trends and development in the health care services and co-operates with government working groups on particular issues or policy.
The Institute publishes a newsletter twice a year and holds two national professional meetings which normally take the form of seminars or conferences in the Spring and Autumn.

The Logo

The logo or crest of the Institute is symbolic of the Institute and the work of the Community Nursing team

The two semi-circles are like two stylised hands protecting and caring for the central unit which can be the family with its members or a community containing several families or groups.

Membership

All registered public health nurses and registered nurses working in the community are eligible for full membership of the Institute. There is a special category for student public health nurses. Applications forms are available on the Resource page of this web site.

There is also a special category of membership for organisations and sponsors, more details of which can be obtained from the main office.

Fo application forms see Members area

Structure

The Institute is a democratic organisation whose success is determined by the fulfilment and achievements of its members and the promotion of community health nursing. The largely autonomous branches elect local officers and a representative to the central Council. The Council of elected members and through the Executive Officers takes total responsibility for the day-to-day activities of the organisation and for compliance with the statutory regulations relating to companies and charities. Based in the main office in Baggot Street Hospital a part-time administrator and Professional Development Officer support the Council and the Executive in carrying out these responsibilities.

ICHN Patron Profiles

Mary Harney T.D, Minister for Health and Children
Mary Harney was appointed as Minister for Health and Children in September 2004, and reappointed following the 2007 General Election. Previously, she was Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from 1997 to 2002 and was re-appointed in June 2002, making history as the first woman to hold the title of Tánaiste and also to serve a second successive term. She served as leader of the Progressive Democrats Party from 1993 to 2006.
She was Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from 1997 to 2002. She was Minister of State at the Department of Environment with special responsibility for Environmental Protection 1989-1992. She was first elected to the Dáil in 1981 as a Fianna Fáil candidate.
Mary Harney was a founder member of the Progressive Democrats with Desmond O’Malley in 1985. In entering political life as a Senate nominee of then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch in August 1977, she became the youngest ever member of the Seanad. She had been a candidate in the 1977 general election in Dublin South-East, and was eventually elected to the Dail in 1981. She was a member of Dublin County Council (1979-1991) and Vice Chairperson of County Dublin Vocational Educational Committee (1985).

Dr Hugh McKenna is Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences at the University of Ulster. Within his role he is responsible for all the teaching and research in Nursing, midwifery, the therapy professions, general practice, sports studies, biomedical science, psychology and environmental science. He qualified as a mental health nurse in 1975 and a general nurse in 1982 and over a sixteen year period. He has held positions at clinical and managerial level. He has over 200 publications including 10 books and over £2.5 million in grants. He has supervised 15 PhD students to successful completion. He is an editor of ‘international journal of nursing studies’ and has many prestigious awards for his work including Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing (FRCN), Fellow of the European Academy of Nursing (FEAN) and Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, (FRCSI).In 2008 the Queen made him a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his work on health and community. The same year he was Chair of the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise which made decisions on the allocation of several millions of pounds to nursing Schools in the UK for their research. Her Majesty also made him Honorary Colonel of 253 Medical Regiment. He sits on national/international committees for three charities, four research funding bodies and five editorial boards. In 2009 he was awarded the University’s Senior Distinguished Research Fellowship and was made a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) – only the third nurse in Europe to be given this honour. More recently, he is a non executive member of the Patient and Client Council which acts as a voice for patients and their carers in health care.

Senator Ann Ormonde, Educational and Cultural Panel, Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Dublin 2

Ann was educated at Presentation College Clonmel. From there she went to do B. Comm. at University College Dublin, MA Psychology, H.DipEd, Diploma in Career Guidance. Teacher of Business Study Subjects/ Career Guidance Counsellor at Dublin VEC, Ann’s main interest in teaching was assisting those from disadvantaged areas attain a good education. Senator Ormonde served as member of the Boards of Management in Community Schools in South Dublin. Senator Ormonde served as member of the General Council of County Councils. Contested 1987, 1989, 1992 and 1997 General Elections for Fianna Fáil in Dublin South.
Ann was re-elected to the Seanad in July 2007 on the Cultural and Educational Panel. Ann’s nominating body is the Institute of Community Health Nursing whose views she represents in the Seanad. Ann is currently Government Spokesperson in the Seanad on Foreign Affairs. She serves on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Sub-Committee on Overseas Aid. Issues of particular concern to Ann are: the debate on Europe's future with regard to a policy towards reform; educational reform concentrating on the educational disadvantaged and adult education; effective law enforcement; the environment focusing on planning and waste management; and women's interests.
Ann has a keen interest in the work carried out by the Institute of Community Health Nursing and part of her role in the Seanad is keeping up to date with all legislation that affects the ICHN. In this regard, Ann liaises with the ICHN on a regular basis as well as meeting colleagues at the ICHN to discuss issues of importance to them.

Dr Jane Wilde., Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH)
In 1998 Jane Wilde was appointed Chief Executive of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) which aims to promote cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in research and information, capacity building and policy advice. Its focus is on health inequalities and building links between research and policy. Jane is a consultant in public health with over 30 years experience. Her experience has focused on public health policy, particularly prevention of NCDs, social determinants of health and action to tackle health inequalities. She has contributed to a wide range of cross government committees ranging from housing, agriculture and food safety to consumer affairs and poverty. She co-directed the WHO CINDI chronic disease prevention programme and initiated the WHO Healthy Cities Programme in Belfast. Jane is committed to all-Ireland and international working and has a long term commitment to action to promote health equity. She is an honorary professor at QUB and visiting professor at the University of Ulster. In 1997 she was awarded the annual Alwyn Smith medal by the Faculty of Public Health (UK) and in 2007 she was awarded the CBE for services to public health.

Dr. Dervilla Donnelly
Dr. Dervilla Donnelly is the Emeritus Professor of Organic Chemistry, University College, Dublin. Since 1996 Dr. Dervilla Donnelly has been Chair of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. She is also Chair of the Interim Review Group for Institutions in the Technological Sector since 1997. Her interest in Science is reflected in her involvement as Chair of the Evaluation Committee OECD Programme–Megascience Forum, Council Member of the Royal Irish Academy, Member of the Standing Committee of ESF, Life and Environmental Science Committee, and Physical and Engineering Science Committee.

Professor Margaret Treacy
Professor Margaret (Pearl) Treacy is School Head of Research and Innovation, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems and the inaugural Professor of Nursing at UCD. Formerly Head of School, she has played a key leadership role in developing nursing and midwifery education within the higher education sector in Ireland. Professor Treacy is currently director of the Centre for Research into the Protection of Older People funded through the Health Service Executive.