Happy new year!
Welcome to 2014 and I hope you all managed to relax over Christmas and got to spend time with your loved ones. Last year was one of the most challenging years for the INMO and one of the most difficult for nursing and midwifery. As we head into the new year we will certainly face more challenges, but will do so together as a unified Organisation. Despite any challenges ahead, we should look at 2014 as bringing us new opportunities, one of which is our new education and event centre, the old Richmond Hospital, which we hope will be up and running for your use in 2014. We look forward to seeing you there and at other events that we will be running throughout the year.

Áras Rónáin visit
It was my great pleasure to visit Áras Rónáin Community Nursing Unit, a nurse-led facility on Inis Mór, before Christmas. I was invited there by Executive Council Member, Noreen Watts, who is one of the staff working in this fantastic facility. I thank all of the staff and residents there for their very warm welcome. It was nice to get a snapshot of what its like to work as a nurse in an island community.

Claire Mahon, INMO president, and Noreen Watts, INMO executive council member, at the Áras Rónáin nursing unit on Inis Mór island

Dundalk IT
I paid a visit to Dundalk IT, with Dean Flanagan, INMO student and new graduate officer, to speak with fourth-year nursing students as they embark on their rostered clinical placement. It was lovely to meet the future generation of nurses and I send best wishes to everyone embarking on their rostered clinical placement. Dean is available to answer any queries you have. See page 50 for more information.

I warmly welcome Darren Ó Cearúill, the Executive Council’s new student representative. Darren is replacing Aisling Maher, who left for Australia in June, and we look forward to working with him. Undoubtedly he will keep us well informed on all student issues.

Turn Off the Red Light
I was invited, along with the Immigrant Council of Ireland, to the Northern Ireland Justice Committee Hearings in Stormont in January. The Council sent a written submission to the Committee for Justice on the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Further Provisions and Support for Victims) Bill, and members were invited to provide oral evidence on this. The Council believes that every government owes it to the vulnerable people and children trapped in prostitution, as well as to the society which they represent, to ensure that the demand for sexual services from exploited and trafficked individuals is effectively tackled.

Executive council elections
This year is an election year for the INMO Executive Council, for a two year period of service. Elections will be conducted under the revised new Rule Book (Rule 8) adopted at the special delegate conference in October. The deadline for nominations is 5pm on February 12. I wish all of you who have put yourselves forward for election the very best of luck and thank you for your interest in working on behalf of members and the Organisation. I would encourage every member to use their vote in this important election.

Branch and section delegate forms for this year’s ADC, as well as motions for debate, must also be submitted no later than 5pm on February 12.

Support for Filipino colleagues
As you know, the INMO has established a fundraising campaign following the disaster caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

To assist people making contributions to the fund, we have set up an online donation facility on www.inmo.ie - simply click on the ‘Donate Now’ link, which makes contributing to the fund very easy.

All monies donated will go directly into a special disaster relief bank account and all proceeds will be given, in full, to the campaign.

A sincere thanks to you all for your very generous contributions to the fund so far. Fundraising initiatives will continue and we will keep you updated on progress.

Get in touch
You can contact me at the INMO headquarters at Tel: 01 6640 600, through the president’s corner on www.inmo.ie or by email to:president@inmo.ie

From the President - On the ground with the president