Colleagues our 47th Annual Delegate Conference was a wonderful occasion in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan. I want to thank the Cavan/Monaghan Mental Health and Intellectual Disability branches for hosting the conference. The volume of motions was very impressive with 66 motions in total. The diversity of motions reflects the many issues which need to be addressed from Pay, Terms and Conditions, Inadequate Provision of Services and the Continuous Development of the Nursing Role.
I also wish to thank our guest speakers Ms Anne Maria O Connor from the Health and Safety Authority and Mr Coleman Noctor, ANP/Psychotherapist in CAMH’s and Assistant Professor in TCD whose comprehensive and stimulating presentations prompted much discussion and indeed queries from our delegates. Both presenters indicated their willingness to return for future PNA events, in fact we are delighted that Colman was the inaugural presenter at the current PNA/ RCSI College suite of programmes in Advanced Mental Health Assessment.
The difficult issue of self-harm and the learning for our 4th year student nurses Ciara Tiernan and Clyde Corentin from the Dundalk Institute of Technology accompanied by CPC Elaine Hoey was sensitively presented Thursday afternoon. I wish to congratulate our young presenters on the professional and holistic approach they took in their approach and like most of you am encouraged by the enthusiasm our students bring to the profession.
The dedication of our Branch Officials, Officer Board and Full Time Officials must be commended throughout the year, but especially coming up to Conference, it is through the commitment of our colleagues and the support they receive from their families that make this union a cohesive, focused member driven organisation, which we can all be proud of.
Finally a quick comment on the social aspect of Conference,once again in true PNA style, both evenings provided fabulous entertainment, opportunities to socialise and catch up with one another, welcome our guests and most importantly enjoy one another’s company which is the trademark of yet another successful PNA Annual Delegate Conference. Looking forward to doing it all again next year !
Best wishes
Peter Hughes General Secretary