Clinical Nurse Specialist, Memory Assessment And Support Service

Details of the Service

At present it is estimated that there are approximately 64,000 people currently living with dementia in Ireland; this number is expected to rise to 150,000 by 2045. Dementia is a life-changing condition and requires responses to support people across the illness trajectory, from the point of concern about cognitive, non-cognitive or behavioural symptoms, to receiving a diagnosis, through to early intervention and the provision of the right care at the right time (Model of Care for Dementia in Ireland, 2023). Timely diagnosis and intervention for people with dementia is also one of six Priority Action Areas in the National Dementia Strategy (2017).

The Dementia Diagnostic model has three levels of assessment

Level 1: Assessment in Primary Care

Level 2: Assessment in a Memory Assessment and Support Services (MASS) or other specialist service

Level 3: Assessment in a Regional Specialist Memory Clinic (RSMC).

There will be nine Memory Assessment Support Services (MASS) across Ireland providing specialist, multidisciplinary diagnostic service for those with memory or cognitive disorders. The MASS is a space where a comprehensive assessment is carried out by the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) where there is concerns about suspected dementia or a mild cognitive impairment. Importantly the MASS also provides post-diagnostic support and follow up through (i) a specialist dementia post-diagnostic service and (ii) a brain health service; with a comprehensive care and support plan developed for each individual.

People are referred to the MASS by either their GP or colleagues from the secondary care services. The MASS also accepts referrals into the pathway for brain health and post diagnostic support services (PDS) for those diagnosed in other services such as primary care, older persons, neurology, psychiatry of old age services and the regional specialist memory clinics ensuring equal access to services. The primary aim of the service will be to achieve a comprehensive assessment/investigation, accurate diagnosis, excellent communicative practice and integrated provision or referral for brain health assessment/interventions and post-diagnostic supports, whether within the diagnosing service (MASS) or outside it (cognitive /behavioural neurology service, mental health services for older people, older persons services).

The Kerry MASS is a Consultant-led, multidisciplinary assessment service provided on an outpatient basis. The MASS post diagnostic service will provide personalised assessment, risk reduction intervention, care planning, referral PDS intervention and arrange a point of contact and follow up.

The MASS staffing is made up of the following posts

• Consultant
• Registrar
• Advanced nurse practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Neuro Psychologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Neuro Radiologist
• Speech and Language therapist
• Dietician
• Clerical support
• Social Worker

The CNS Memory Assessment and Support Service (MASS) will work as part of a Consultant-led, multidisciplinary assessment as well as PHNs, GPs and other members of the primary care team in the local community, providing specialist advice and support.

Six Health Regions have been established within the HSE, on the basis of the geographical boundaries agreed by the Government in July 2019 and they will be operational from 2024.

Each Health Region will be tasked with population specific planning resourcing and delivery of health and social care services for the needs of its unique population. This will result in improved accountability and governance in terms of finance and performance, while also bringing decision-making closer to the frontline.

Health Regions will enable and empower staff to provide services that are:

• Integrated, locally planned and delivered
• Easier to access and navigate
• Available closer to home

Health Regions are geographically-based units with clearly defined populations. They align community and hospital services within specific areas. The HSE will retain a strong but leaner central organisation, with more service provision developed at a local level.

The HSE South West health region will manage and deliver all public health and social care services in Cork and Kerry. HSE South West includes all hospital and community healthcare services in the region.

This includes:

• South / South West Hospital Group S/SWHG
• Cork Kerry Community Healthcare CKCH

The Department of Population and Public Health is also now aligned with this health region

Services in the South West health region:

HSE Services working within this region include:

• Acute Hospitals
• Primary care services
• Community services
• Social care services
• Health and social care professionals
• Voluntary sector services

South / South West Hospital Group and Cork Kerry Community Healthcare became part of HSE South West health region on 3rd March 2025 and the transition to the new structures will continue throughout 2026.

Purpose of the Post

The purpose of this CNS Memory Assessment and Support Service (MASS) post is to contribute to the improvement of the health care experience and outcomes for those with memory or cognitive disorders attending the Memory Assessment and Support Service (MASS).

Clinical caseload will encompass a continuum of care for patients with a suspected diagnosis of dementia or cognitive disorder extending from their well-being health needs through to the acute and chronic illnesses as they are manifested in later life.

The CNS Memory Assessment and Support Service (MASS) will work as part of the Integrated Care Team (ICT) to implement a model of care with the outcome of ensuring persons with a diagnosis of dementia are assessed promptly in acute or community care and supported in accessing an appropriate care pathway and post diagnostic support.

The CNS Memory Assessment and Support Service (MASS) post holder will deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.

The concepts are:

• Clinical Focus (Direct and Indirect Care)
• Service user/client Advocacy
• Education and Training
• Audit and Research
• Consultancy (including leadership in clinical practice)

Informal Enquiries

We welcome enquiries about the role.

ContactKathleen O’Donoghue, MASS/ICPOP Operational Lead, for further information about the role:

Email: kathleen.odonoghue1@hse.ie

Tel: 087 3580668

Contact Meagan McGlynn, People Resourcing, for enquiries relating to the recruitment process: meagan.mcglynn@hse.ie

Please ensure you download, save and read the Job Specification, as well the Applicant Information Document. These documents are located at the bottom of this Rezoomo advertisement. We strongly recommend that you read the Job Specification associated with this post before completing your application.