Head of Education, Research and Quality
Jackie trained as a Registered General Nurse in the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK before returning to Limerick in 2001 to progress her nursing career. The palliative care philosophy has always been central to her ideology and she has 20 years plus experience working across many areas of specialist palliative care including hospice inpatient unit, specialist palliative care day unit and specialist palliative care community services. Over these years Jackie completed a BSc in Nursing (UL), a Post Grad Diploma in Palliative Nursing (NUIG) and a MSc in Nurse Education (NUIG) and a deep interest in research and clinical improvement developed leading to an increased focus on education and quality and the importance of each in ensuring excellent patient/ family care.
In recent years, Jackie has worked within the Education, Quality and Research Department within Milford Care Centre as a nurse tutor, allowing the knowledge honed through years of clinical work be encompassed into all realms of this role. Development, coordination, and facilitation of education programmes to meet the needs of professionals across wide-ranging settings has been central to this role, alongside conference planning, research, and collaboration with organisations nationally and across the UK.
Jackie is passionate to ensure the holistic, team-based nature of palliative care and care of the older person is understood by a wide and varied population, through education and research and that the health, safety and well-being of patients/ residents and their families are achieved in line with our philosophy and values here in Milford Care Centre and in line with healthcare standards.
Publications
Reed, J., O Hara, M., O Sullivan, E., Cobbe S., O Reilly, M (2021) Association between attendance at a specialist palliative care day unit and improvement in patient symptoms and quality of life. International Journal of Palliative Nursing. Vol 27 no. 2
Hough, E., Reed J., O Reilly M., Lucey, M (accepted for publication) Evaluating the effectiveness of a clinical nurse specialist triage role in a specialist palliative care community service: A mixed method study. International Journal of Palliative Nursing
Research Commentary
Reed, J. (2020) Depressive symptoms in the last year of life- early screening and varied treatment pathways needed. Evidence Based Nursing. Published online first 7/2/20. doi 10.1136/ebnurs-2019-103246.
Reed, J. (2019) Place of death preference among people with dementia: an important conversation. Evidence Based Nursing. Published online first 15/10/2019. Doi  ebnurs-2019-103163.
Tel: 061 485881. Email: j.reed@milfordcarecentre.ie
Mary Spaight, Education co-ordinator
Mary qualified as a registered general nurse in 2000 and joined Milford Care Centre in 2009 where she has developed her expertise and skill in the delivery of specialist palliative care . Mary also works with the Irish Cancer society as a night nurse on a part time basis. A lifelong learner Mary has received a higher diploma in Health Promotion (NUIG), post graduate diploma in Palliative Care (NUIG) and is currently completing a masters in Nurse Education (NUIG). Mary works in the education department on a part time basis while continuing to work in clinical practice.
Helen Flanagan, Nurse Tutor
Biography – Helen Flanagan
Registered as an RGN in 1996, worked in various clinical settings including general medical & surgical wards, oncology and specialist palliative care (SPC). Worked in SPC in Milford Care Centre, Limerick for 15 years. During this time completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care, Masters in Palliative Nursing and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Nursing Education. Currently working part-time as a Nurse Tutor in the Education Dept. at Milford Care Centre.
Nurse Tutor
Joanne Callinan, Librarian
Joanne is the Librarian in Milford Care Centre. She manages the physical and electronic resources in the Library and Information Service, supports learning, education and research activities and delivers training in searching the literature, critical appraisal and systematic reviews. She also provides administrative and educational support for Milford’s E-Learning platform E-Life. Joanne’s other interests include e-learning, bibliotherapy, information literacy, open access and scientific writing. Joanne completed a B.Sc. Hons in Biochemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway; a Masters in Library & Information Studies, University College Dublin, Certificate in Training and Continuing Education and a Graduate Diploma in Digital Media Development for Education in the University of Limerick.
Publications
- Callinan J, Balanda K, Bradley L, (2013) How to increase access to research on death, dying and loss? Poster Presentation 3rd International Conference on Public Health and Palliative Care, Limerick 25th-27th April 2013.
- Callinan J, McLoughlin K, Rhatigan J, Richardson M. (2013) Evaluation of a bibliotherapy service for bereavement support. Oral Presentation 3rd International Conference on Public Health and Palliative Care, Limerick, 25th-27th April 2013.
- Callinan J, Balanda K & Bradley L (2013) Supporting Open Access to Health Knowledge Resources across Ireland: Linking with NECOBELAC, An Leabharlann, 22(1):30-32.
- Callinan J, McLoughlin K, Rhatigan J, Richardson M (2013) Attitudes and experiences towards setting up a bibliotherapy service for the bereavement support service, National Institute for Health Sciences Research Bulletin, 6(4):53.
- Callinan J, (2011) Attitudes and experiences towards setting up a bibliotherapy service for the bereavement support service. Oral presentation at Best Posters Session at EAHIL Conference, Istanbul, Turkey. http://eahil2011.ku.edu.tr/poster
- Callinan J, McLoughlin K, McCarthy P (2010) Analysis of library associated information needs of staff in a specialist palliative and gerontological care centre in Mid-West Ireland. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 27(4): 286-294.
- Callinan JE, Clarke A, Doherty K, Kelleher C. Legislative smoking bans for reducing secondhand smoke exposure, smoking prevalence and tobacco consumption. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005992. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD005992.pub2.
- http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD005992/pdf fs.html
- Joanne Ni Challanain, Bernard Barrett & McCarthy F (2007) Health Information Professionals: Roles, Skillset and Barriers to Involvement in the Cochrane Process. Conference Proceeding, EAHIL 2007. Oral Presentation and paper presented at the European Association of Health Information and Libraries Conference, KraKow, Poland, 12th-15th September 2007.
- http://www.eahil.net/conferences/krakow 2007/www.bm.cmuj-krakow.pl/eahil/proceedings/oral/NI%20Challanain%20i%20Barrett.pdf
- Callinan J. & Barrett B, Oral Presentation “Framing questions, discerning clues, sifting the evidence: why and how Librarians can adopt the principles of Evidence-Based Practice. CILIP / Library Association of Ireland Annual Joint Conference. Portlaoise. April 26th 2007.
- Callinan J, Barrett B (2006) Contributions made by Librarians to the Cochrane Collaboration in Ireland. Poster Presentation: Cochrane Collaboration in Ireland Conference, February 2006, Dublin City University.
- Callinan, JE (2005) Information-seeking behaviour of undergraduate biology students: A comparative analysis of first year and final year students in University College Dublin. Library Review, 54(2): 86 – 99.
Click here to visit the Library and Information Service page.
Research and Quality Department:
Caroline Carey, Risk Management and Safety Officer
Caroline is a full time Risk Management and Safety Officer at Milford Care Centre. Caroline completed a BBS at University of Limerick, majoring in Risk Management. She then went on to complete a Post graduate diploma in Computing at University of Limerick, and worked for a number of years in financial software consultancy and training.
Caroline then completed the Diploma in Health, Safety and Welfare at Work at University of Limerick, and has worked in this area for the last number of years. Caroline is a qualified Manual Handling Instructor and MAPA (Management of Actual and Potential Aggression) Instructor.
Sara Stout, Quality & Development Officer
Sara is a full time Quality and Development Officer in Milford Care Centre and joined the team at the beginning of 2023. Sara graduated from Limerick Institute of Technology in 2010 with an Honours Degree in Applied Social Studies in Social Care. She then went on to obtain a Higher Certificate in Applied Management in Human Services. Sara has 15 years’ experience within Intellectual Disability Residential Services where she spent 6 years in Management, supporting individuals with age related care needs and dementia.
Administrative Staff
Helen Morrissey
Helen is education adminstrator. She co-ordinates all course bookings and is the link person for external organisations seeking to hire the education venue. Contact Helen via email at education@milfordcarecentre.ie or call 061 485 841.
Martine Tuite
Martine is the Education Department Distance Learning Administrator for the past four years having previously worked as Secretary to the Specialist Palliative Care Community Services Department. She coordinates bookings and administration and communicates to candidates regarding all distance learning courses
She can be contacted by email at D.Learning@milfordcarecentre.ie or by phone on 061 485863