Cork's Marymount appoints new palliative care nurses

Marymount University Hospital and Hospice has announced the appointment of Elaine O’Donovan and Susan Hilliard as its first two advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) in palliative care.

It marks a significant advancement in the provision of specialist palliative care services in Cork and the surrounding region.

Ms O’Donovan and Ms Hilliard are both trained to Masters level in palliative care and bring extensive clinical experience in the care of people dealing with life-limiting illness.

According to Marymount, the role of the ANPs is designed to ensure that patients and their families have enhanced access to expert support, both within the hospital and throughout the community. Danielle Broe, interim director of nursing at Marymount, said that the appointments marked a landmark achievement for the hospice and for palliative care in Cork.

“The introduction of the ANP role will enable us to further expand specialist palliative care services in the community, improve patient outcomes, and support our teams in delivering the highest standards of compassionate and evidence-based care,” she said.

“The appointment of ANPs is a very welcome addition to our multidisciplinary team and these appointments reflect Marymount’s ongoing commitment to advancing clinical practice and responding to the growing and evolving needs of the community it serves.

“This initiative will help ensure that more people living with life-limiting illnesses can receive expert palliative care wherever they need it, whether in hospital, at home, or in other community settings.”

Marymount University Hospital and Hospice is the designated specialist palliative care centre for Cork city and county, delivering a consultant-led 44-bed inpatient service, an outpatient day service, and a community palliative care service, supported by multidisciplinary teams.

Marking its 155th anniversary this year, Marymount is widely recognised for leadership in palliative care education and research, and works in close partnership with University College Cork.