Over 70 nurses attend ‘study day’ at Tallaght Hospital

AN Interventional Radiology Nurses’ Study Day was recently held in Tallaght University Hospital, which saw over 70 nurses from across the country attend.

Both doctors and nurses gave presentations on the day about interventional radiology, which centres on diagnosing and treating patients using the least invasive techniques currently available in order to minimise risk to the patient and improve health outcomes.

Interventional radiology nurses are involved in the care of patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using X-rays, ultrasound or CT guidance.

Louise Kinsella, a clinical nurse manager in the hospital and a Springfield native who is a past pupil of St Mark’s Community School, organised the event, which was held on October 14.

“This was the first time Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) hosted the Interventional Radiology (IR) Study Day,” Ms Kinsella told The Echo.

“The last IR study day was in 2019 held by Beaumont IR. The next host will be Cork University hospital in October 2024.

“Each year a different hospital has to host the study day.”

She added: “I just felt that these study days were vital to IR nurses to learn from one another and network.

“So I liaised with my colleague, consultant radiologist Dr Michael Brassil, and we started contacting colleagues to see was there an interest and the response was positive.

“I contacted ex-colleagues and colleagues in TUH to come as guest speakers. So the study day took off from there.”

Topics covered on the day included healthcare worker health and wellbeing in the post-Covid era, hepatic interventions, and interventional radiology in fertility.

“I provided evaluation forms for the day, and it was all very positive – everyone enjoyed the day,” added Ms Kinsella.

“It gave us all an opportunity to network with one another and meet colleagues face to face and exchange ideas.”