Today's inaugural #NCHDConf2024 represents an important acknowledgement of the critical role our NCHD colleagues play in delivering care across our health service. Thanks to Dr Sean Casey & Dr Dan Creegan National Lead NCHD - Dr Lenin Patrick Ekpotu for your continued leadership & support to NCHDs.

Virtual Wards announced today - an exciting new development in healthcare delivery to support patients to recover at home. Technology enables safe, efficient monitoring, with patients remaining under the care of the hospital team. New service starts this month in St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH) & UHL

1 in 5 children in Ireland are overweight or obese – this increases to 1 in 3 children from disadvantaged areas. New safefood campaign launched to help address these issues. Important work supported by HSE National Clinical Programme for Obesity, led by Prof. Donal O’Shea.

Áine Binchy, ANP Neonatology at work in UCHG today. Áine & colleague Jean provide expert care from delivery to discharge, including intubation + venous access to the tiniest babies, all within wider MDT. Other roles include education, guideline development, research & audit.

Healthcare simulation is an important tool to develop clinical competence and gain experience in skills. Great to see National Simulation Office training event in operation, led by Clinical Lead Dara Byrne, supporting a culture of safe, effective, patient-centred care.

Early start up of virtual care provided to COPD patients in Galway. 16 episodes of care provided on the COPD virtual ward in GUH in first 10 weeks, with 110 bed days saved. Maith sibh Dr Dr Sinead Walsh, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Emma Burke, cANP Respiratory, & all the team

Great visit to Clare Island with Prof Derek O'Keeffe Prof. Derek O’Keeffe. Innovative digital &virtual health projects underway to support patients, providing better access to care. Technology complements existing services through telehealth video consultations &remote monitoring.

Practice nurses provide a range of services in our communities, supporting people’s health and wellbeing. Thanks to Jenny Nagle for sharing your working day, delivering vaccines and carrying out chronic disease management checks, cervical screenings & more irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/heal…

With Eoin Madden and the tireless  Carol Moore of Irish Kidney Association at launch of Munster Kidney Support Centre by Michael McGrath today in Cork. A great support for patients + a home from home for patients+ families with CKD. Grma uilig le achan dhuine a chuir an áis seo ar bhun.

The MMR vaccine protects against serious, infectious conditions. The vaccine is safe, effective and protects from measles and its complications. Babies age 6-11 months can get the vaccine for free from your GP before travelling to another country.

The Ronald McDonald House Ronald McDonald Hse provides fantastic support to families of sick children in hospital. Great to hear about their new house near the New Children’s Hospital from CEO Joe Kenny, which will provide accommodation, meals and more for many families.

Integrated Care Hubs provide care closer to home for patients, helping to reduce hospital attendance. HSE Clinical Lead Stanley Miller highlights the benefits of the specialist respiratory care provided to support patients with COPD and Asthma. rte.ie/radio/radio1/c…

Around 300,000 people in Ireland are living with a rare disease. The public consultation for rare diseases is an opportunity to share your views on what are areas of most important, to support the development of a new National Rare Disease Strategy.gov.ie/en/consultatio…

HSE respiratory teams in Integrated Care Hubs are supporting people with COPD & asthma to receive timely, convenient respiratory care in the community. Delivering significant benefits for patients, with a focus on keeping people healthy & out of hospital.youtube.com/watch?v=VoIxF1…

Feedback from the National Inpatient Experience Survey helps us to improve the hospital care we provide to patients. I encourage everyone who has been invited to take part to share their experience. Survey closes 5pm on 31 July. For more information, see yourexperience.ie

Saddened to hear about the passing of Leigh Gath. Leigh was a passionate patient advocate and disability campaigner, previously holding the position of Confidential Recipient. Condolences to all her family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

Take care and prioritise safety while enjoying this August bank holiday weekend, when out on the roads, in the water or attending events. If you need medical care, consider the option that best suits your needs. But in an emergency, always call 999 or 112.www2.hse.ie/services/find-…

ANP Shirley Ingram developed a Community Chest Pain Clinic at TUH as an alternative to ED for non-acute chest pain patients. Within its first year, there was a 60% decrease in ward admissions. Great innovative, ANP-led service for patients. hse.ie/eng/about/our-…

Delighted to raise funds for Irish Kidney Association over the past 3 months by taking part in Ride Dingle, the Ring of Kerry Cycle and the Wild Atlantic Mizen Cycle. The IKA plays a vital role in supporting patients and families with kidney disease and raising awareness of organ donation.

Gerry McCarthy in RCSI today following his last meeting as National Lead, Emergency Medicine Programme. Gerry has been an outstanding lead, guiding on reconfiguration+ networking of services, standards of care+ system reform, always calm and kind. Tá muid faoi chomaoin aige.