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Introduction: This paper reports on the outcomes from an analysis of 500 noncompliant regulations drawn from 1563 Early Years Services inspections that took place in Ireland between January and December 2017. Aim: The aim of this study was to consider the impact of the early years inspection process on the quality of early years services. Methodology: A two-stage approach was adopted. First, the extent to which regulatory compliance, as determined by the Early Years Inspector (EYI), was achieved at the end of the corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) process was calculated using a content analysis. Second, illustrative case studies are presented for the purpose of providing an insight into the approaches through which compliance is achieved. Results: The results show that the inspectorate successfully identifies noncompliances in respect of children's health, welfare and development, the safety and governance of the service and the premises and facilities. Following the detection of these noncompliances, it provides opportunities for early years providers to rectify the deficiencies and works in a collaborative way to achieve improvements to the services. More than eight in every 10 services (83%) make demonstrable and evidenced improvements to their service on completion of this process. A further 10% of services report improvements which the EYI will review at the next inspection. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that through responsive regulation as described by Boyne, Day, and Walker (2002), the EYIs are successful in effecting changes to the behaviour of service providers and securing improvements in the quality of the service.

Introduction: This paper reports on the outcomes from an analysis of 500 noncompliant regulations drawn from 1563 Early Years Services inspections that took place in Ireland between January and December 2017. Aim: The aim of this study was to consider the impact of the early years inspection process on the quality of early years services. Methodology: A two-stage approach was adopted. First, the extent to which regulatory compliance, as determined by the Early Years Inspector (EYI), was achieved at the end of the corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) process was calculated using a content analysis. Second, illustrative case studies are presented for the purpose of providing an insight into the approaches through which compliance is achieved. Results: The results show that the inspectorate successfully identifies noncompliances in respect of children's health, welfare and development, the safety and governance of the service and the premises and facilities. Following the detection of these noncompliances, it provides opportunities for early years providers to rectify the deficiencies and works in a collaborative way to achieve improvements to the services. More than eight in every 10 services (83%) make demonstrable and evidenced improvements to their service on completion of this process. A further 10% of services report improvements which the EYI will review at the next inspection. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that through responsive regulation as described by Boyne, Day, and Walker (2002), the EYIs are successful in effecting changes to the behaviour of service providers and securing improvements in the quality of the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the findings from an analysis of survey data which was collected from public health nurses (N = 136) as part of a larger study with more than 4000 nurses and midwives in Ireland. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of burnout using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and to compare relationships between burnout, demographic and work characteristics across this group of nurses. Younger PHNs were most likely to report feeling burnout (68%) compared with those aged 51 or over (47%) who reported the lowest levels. PHNs whose highest level of qualification was a primary degree were least likely to report feeling burnout (31%) compared with those who held a Masters / Doctoral degree (54.5%). PHNs who reported working on a fixed-term full-time contract were most likely to report feeling burnout (70%) compared with those who were on a permanent part-time contract (49%). Quantitative analysis, using both descriptive and inferential statistics, was carried out and the findings show that PHNs reported moderate levels of burnout. The findings also show that burnout among PHNs is strongly correlated with the physical demands placed on individuals during work, having constant time pressures, too much being expected of individuals, the work environment being too demanding and dissatisfaction with the physical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programme implementation is a complex process, and literature around the area of implementation science is growing, particularly with respect to programme fidelity (Dusenbury et al, 2003; Carroll et al, 2007). This paper draws on the findings from an evaluation in one area involving restructuring of the Public Health Nursing service from a generalist, geographically based service, to a team-based specialist approach. From this evaluation, it is clear that careful consideration must be given to a number of key issues that could arise in moving from a pilot project to a more mainstream or wide-scale implementation. These issues could relate to workforce planning; the role of the team leader; formation, maintenance, and development of teams; expertise and knowledge, including knowledge of local communities; active caseload management; continuity across a range of areas; alignment with primary care teams; co-location; and the need for support, particularly in the IT infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast with community nursing services in the UK and other parts of the world, the public health nursing service in the Republic of Ireland operates as a generalist service, providing both public health and wellbeing services in addition to clinical nursing services to a wide range of patient groups. While much discussion has taken place over the years about the benefits and challenges of a generalist service, little consensus has emerged about whether the current generalist approach should be maintained or whether a more specialised approach is required. This article presents key findings from an evaluation, using research methods, of a community nursing service that was restructured from a generalist, geographically based service, to a more specialist team-based model. The findings across multiple stakeholders show a number of positive effects in the areas of quality, safety, risk, governance, active caseload management, and finances. Some challenges were also identified, particularly with respect to continuity of services, loss of expertise, role of the team leader, and engagement in population-based activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on various aspects of the integration of hospital-based midwifery services into a community, and it mentions the National Maternity Strategy for the Republic of Ireland's publication of a midwifery-related proposal. The continuity of care is addressed, along with midwives' skills and communication in medicine in places such as Great Britain and the Netherlands. Irish maternity services are assessed, as well as Registered Public Health Nurses and health promotion.

Similar to other countries, there have been a number of high-profile reports into past and recent cases of child abuse and neglect in Ireland. The most recent of these have been the Monageer Inquiry, the Ryan Report, the Roscommon Child Care Case and the Report of the Independent Child Death Review Group. An analysis of these reports highlights the critical role played by public health nurses with troubled families. It also makes explicit key issues that consistently emerge as problematic in terms of professional practice. This paper summarises the main findings of the reports as they relate to the public health nursing service and identifies key themes emerging along with recommendations arising. The emerging themes relate to assessment, early intervention, record keeping, communication and interdisciplinary working and the role of public health nursing management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results of a survey of public health nurses who work with families with infants in Ireland. Working relationships of nurses with speech therapists, area medical officers and community welfare officers; Use of statistical correlation; Implications for communication and teamworking in primary care.