In line with the Clinic Mission Statement, the Nursing Department is concerned about the well-being, happiness and achievements of people with disabilities and the welfare of their families, advocates and supporters.
The objective of the Department is to create a comprehensive and effective nursing service to children and adults with a physical disability who attend the Clinic.
Our role is to teach, to help or to perform for the clients nursing and caring activities which they cannot do for themselves and to help clients identify and achieve their own goals in self-care and management of their disability. This role encompasses the promotion of health, independence and prevention of illness.
Besides assessing the nursing care needs of the client and planning their care with them, the nurses work as partners with the other healthcare professionals of the multidisciplinary team. We help in the client's rehabilitation through support and maintaining levels of independence recommended by others on the team. We endeavour to promote health education individually and through organised programmes to clients and their families.
Paediatric nursing services are offered to both schools, Clontarf and Scoil Mochua, giving daily care as requested to over 160 clients. Liaison with NAHB provides yearly dental screening and close links are maintained with local public health nurses and hospitals.
The staff complement from both Clontarf and Scoil Mochua includes nurses from various backgrounds, ie, general, paediatric, midwifery, rehabilitation and postgraduate specialist nursing, supported by Care Assistants and Community Employment workers.
Continence Advice and Training Clinic:
All nurses in the Department are trained Continence Advisers, offering advice and training on
Referrals are taken from medical and health care professionals. Both paediatric and adult clients are catered for.
Please contact Nursing Department at ext 256 for further information.
Nurse-led Eating, Drinking & Swallowing Clinic:
This weekly clinic takes a multidisciplinary approach to the assessment and evaluation of feeding difficulties presented by children attending the CRC school. Feeding recommendations are drawn up in line with individual client needs. The EDS clinic aims to promote best practice and to ensure that special feeding is a safe and pleasurable experience for our school children.
Pressure Management Clinic
This clinic was established in conjunction with the Seating & Mobility Department to identify those at risk (of developing pressure ulcers) and to monitor and manage pressure relief.
Botulinum Toxin
Co-ordination of Botulinum toxin clinic is organised for paediatric service in association with Spasticity Clinic and Brachial Plexus Clinic. Assistance to medical team is also given for adult services.
Education/Training
The Nursing Department facilitates nursing degree students on placement from UCD and DCU. These incorporate Beaumont Hospital, St Vincent's Hospital, St Michael's Dun Laoghaire, the Mater Hospital and St Joseph's Learning Disability Service Portrane. Links with Trinity College incorporate Public Health Nurse postgraduate students and Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing - Promoting Enablement in Persons with a Physical Disability.
We are also happy to accommodate pre-nursing students from Marino College, Fairview and Care of the Special Child PLC students from the Liberties College.