Clinical Nurse Specialist University Hospital

University Hospital Kerry is the second largest of the Health Service Executive –HSE Southwest seven acute hospitals.

With a catchment area of Kerry, North Cork & West Limerick it services a population of approx. over 180,554.

In addition, the Kerry area has quite a large visiting population – Bord Fáilte/ Shannon Development estimate there are approximately 2 million tourists visiting this region annually, principally during the summer months.

The 24/7 Emergency department cares for 43,000 emergency presentations. The average annual activity levels of approximately 13,000 Inpatient discharges, 11,000 Day Cases Presentations and 54,000 Outpatient Attendances.

The hospital has 275 acute general beds; 50 Acute Psychiatric beds, and an Annual Budget of approximately 70 million.

University hospital Kerry has a directorate management structure and is educationally affiliated to Institute of Technology Tralee and University College Cork.

University Hospital Kerry’s range and scope of services provided.

• Emergency Medicine.

• Ear nose and Throat Services.

• General Medicine including Medicine of the Elderly& Endocrinology.

• General Surgery.

• Endoscopy.

• Adult Intensive Care.

• Oncology

• Orthopaedics.

• Paediatrics

• Audiology.

• Palliative Care

• Psychiatry

• Radiography, including C.T. Scanning Service

• Renal Dialysis Satellite Unit.

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:

· HSE South West

The Department of Population and Public Health is also now aligned with this 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 have become part of HSE South West Health Region since March, 2025.

Purpose of the post:

To develop the new neurology service at University Hospital Kerry (UHK), and progress the implementation the HSE’s Model of Care for Neurology. The focus of the development is aimed at achieving the following:

· To develop new neurology services at UHK

· To develop pathways that improve access to appropriate neurology services

· Improve safety and quality in the delivery of patient centred neurological care

· Improve value for both patient and health services across neurology services

· Align with the vision Model of Care and Slaintecare

The purpose of this Clinical Nurse Specialist Neurology post is to:

Deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.

Caseload – Adults aged over 16 years with Neurological Conditions.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Neurology) will focus initially on the following

· Have responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the clinical, managerial and educational requirements of the Neurology Services. This includes acting as an expert resource for the team to support them in the delivery of effective care.

· Work as an integral member of the nursing and multidisciplinary team involved in the provision of evidence-based care to the patients who attend the Neurology Service.

· Work with the Consultant Neurologist to facilitate innovations in service delivery, including, but not limited to, the development of a nurse-led clinic.

· Play a proactive role in quality and service improvement and working closely with the Assistant Director of Nursing.

· They will also be responsible for the monitoring and auditing of clinical standards of care.

· Liaise appropriately with the Multidisciplinary Team members to ensure safe timely and effective care.

· Support and encourage staff in implementation of hospital procedures and policies.

Assist in the event of a major incidents or internal emergencies within the hospital.

Informal Enquires:

Mairead O Sullivan, Assistant Director of Nursing – Emergency Department | Medicine & Integrated Care Directorate | University Hospital Kerry | Tralee | Co. Kerry | V92 NX94

Mobile No: 087 3431003

Email: mairead.osullivan4@hse.ie