The purchase of the Richmond Building, as the Organisation’s new education and event centre, marks another major milestone in the history of the INMO and heralds a new era with regard to our work in the areas of education and continuing professional development (CPD).

The Richmond, which is a landmark in the city of Dublin, is steeped in the history and tradition of providing healthcare in the capital. It has a unique design and the façade gives it a presence that, arguably, is not matched by any other building in Dublin. It is adjacent to our existing head office, the Whitworth, and will fully complement the Organisation’s activities.

The unique nature of the Richmond can be seen from the photograph on the cover of this journal. Further photographs appear in later pages which show some aspects of the building including the rooms suitable for meetings/workshops/seminars.

In recent years the building has been used as the Dublin District Court and, as a result, was the subject of significant investment by the Office of Public Works, which means very little reconfiguration is required to fully meet our needs now and into the future. As the Richmond is a preserved building we will have to make planning application for some minor adjustments, but no difficulties are expected in this regard.

In deciding to purchase the building the Executive Council had a clear eye on the future which will see a much greater focus on demonstrating CPD in order to maintain registration under the new Nurses and Midwives Act. The INMO, in providing the full range of services that will be required by members into the future, must have the facilities to deliver CPD programmes in the most cost effective way possible. This will minimise the costs for individual registered nurses and midwives, which will arise as a direct result of the competency requirements that must be met under the new legislation.

When the Richmond becomes fully operational later next year, it will ensure that the INMO can provide these services directly to members. This new era fully complements our core function of meeting all the needs of members both as workers and registered professionals.

The purchase of the Richmond was funded entirely by some of our cash reserves and has not affected, in any way, the Organisation’s strike fund. In addition, it will not impact upon any of the services currently available to members – all of which will be maintained. Indeed, in the same month that we purchased the Richmond, the Executive Council also decided, following co-operation from staff under Haddington Road, to reduce the annual membership fee from € 306 to €299 (also detailed elsewhere in this issue of WIN).

In summary, the Organisation is looking after members’ needs now by reducing the fee immediately. We are also preparing for members’ needs of tomorrow, by ensuring we will be a major provider of education and continuing professional development programmes. This is a good news story as we leave 2013 behind and look to the future.

Season’s greetings
On behalf of the Executive Council and staff may I take this opportunity to wish you, your family and loved ones a very happy, peaceful and restful Christmas season. Let us all hope that the new year, in addition to bringing good health to you, will also bring with it some relief from the austerity and pressure that is on every family and household at this time.

However, for now, may the days of Christmas and the New Year bring you time to spend with your family and some rest and relaxation.

Go mbeannaí Dia thú am Nollaig agus i rith na hAth-Bhliana.

Liam Doran
General Secretary, INMO

Editorial - Richmond purchase begins new era