INMO Advanced Practice Section Conference 2025
The Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation Advanced Practice Section was developed in 2023 to bring nurses and midwives in advanced practice together to drive positive change and improvements to their professional roles and working conditions.
Section objectives
- To promote the role and professional interests of the registered advanced nurse/midwife practitioner (ANMP).
- To promote the role and professional interests of the clinical nurse/midwife specialist (CNS/CMS).
- To support the professional development of practitioners and specialists by facilitating seminars and conferences.
- Provide a platform for practitioners and specialists to highlight and discuss issues relating to their professional roles and practices by arranging in-person/online meetings.
- Effect positive change by proposing motions at the INMO Annual Delegate Conference.
- Promote the importance of Irish nursing/midwifery research.
- Facilitate the publication of articles in the World of Irish Nursing Journal from practitioners/specialists.
- Utilise INMO resources such as the media department/library service and other professional services available to members.
- Establish links with other national and international professional bodies who represent practitioners and specialists.
- To promote the views of practitioners and specialists to relevant bodies, where appropriate, alongside INMO officials.
- To support the wider sections of the INMO by offering the skills, knowledge, and expertise of practitioners and specialists.
The INMO Advanced Practice Section hosted a landmark conference under the theme ‘Advancing advanced practice – where to next?’, drawing professionals from across Ireland and the UK for a day of collaboration, insight, and strategic planning for the future of advanced nursing and midwifery roles.
INMO President Ms Caroline Gourley was welcomed to open the conference by Chair of the section Ms Fiona ColbertDonaghey.
The conference opened with a powerful keynote focused on consultant-level nursing practice delivered by two distinguished speakers from the UK: Wendy Preston, Head of Nursing Practice at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), and Sharlene Hogan, RCN Advanced Practice Forum member. Their presentations explored developments in the UK’s consultant-level roles, the evolving scope of advanced practice, and the importance of embedding leadership at all levels of care.
The second session shifted to a national perspective, highlighting the critical role of leadership in nursing and midwifery. Marie Kilduff, Director of the National Clinical Leadership Centre (NCLC) for Nursing and Midwifery, HSE, and Dr Aoife Lane, Leadership Advisor at the NCLC, provided a comprehensive overview of current initiatives driving leadership development.
Their insights were complemented by Fiona ColbertDonaghey, ANP Cardiology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, who shared a clinical perspective on leadership in practice and the tangible impact ANPs have across health services.
From policy to practice, the next set of speakers highlighted innovative clinical models. Emma Burke, ANP at Galway University Hospital, discussed the implementation of a virtual ward for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients – a pioneering pilot that offers new pathways for chronic disease management.
Following Ms Burke, Olivia Smith, Emergency Department ANP at St James’s Hospital, Dublin, presented on clinical decision-making, emphasising the critical thinking and autonomy required in advanced roles.
After a networking luncheon, the afternoon session resumed with Maria Noonan, CNS in Paediatric Limb Reconstruction at CHI Crumlin, who addressed current and future challenges facing the CNS workforce. Her address offered a unique glimpse into the evolving demands and innovations within paediatric specialist care.
The unveiling of the National ANMP Survey Report marked another highlight, presented by Oliver Allen, Emergency Department ANP and Vice-Chair of the INMO Advanced Practice Section. His presentation emphasised key findings from the survey, which offers valuable data on the impact, scope, and support needs of ANMPs nationwide.
The conference concluded with an engaging panel discussion titled ‘Advanced and free practice at the crossroads: Where to now?’.
Moderated by Steve Pitman, Head of Education at the INMO, the panel brought together leaders including Wendy Preston, Dr Aoife Lane, Aoife Dillon (Gerontology ANP and Section Secretary), Carmel Hoey (National Lead, Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director), and Aoife Feeney (ANP, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin). Each shared their perspectives on future directions, policy alignment, and educational pathways to sustain momentum in advanced practice.
This dynamic event marked a pivotal moment for the INMO Advanced Practice Section, highlighting both achievements and the road ahead. As the nursing and midwifery professions face ever-increasing complexity, this conference reaffirmed the essential role of advanced practitioners in leading healthcare innovation and delivering person-centred, evidence-based care.
At the Annual Delegate Conference 2025, the Advanced Practice Section successfully put forward a motion advocating for the development of a dedicated clinical pay scale for ANMPs. While the implementation of this scale will require a structured process and time to complete, the motion represents a significant and positive step forward in recognising the unique expertise and contribution of ANMPs within the healthcare system.
ANP/AMPs attending INMO advanced practice conference, sharing knowledge, networking, and building connections
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