Frances Dundee

• Commenced a secondment with CNO in Department of Health, advising policy on all matters relating to MH Nursing, Mental Health Strategy 2023-2032 and the Review of Mental Health Workforce for NI.
• Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
• Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.

Shortly after taking up this role we entered the COVID Pandemic which seen unprecedented ways of working for nursing particularly within mental health acute settings. I needed to lead the nursing workforce with confidence while ensuing the safety of patients and staff. I was advising the SMT on increased infection control measures , vaccination programmes, care home settings and the fitting of FFP3 masks.

There were ongoing daily tasks with staff disciplinary investigations, the impact of Muckamore Abbey Hospital Investigation and nurses who were now working in NHSCT. I was also involved with investigation Serious Adverse Incidents to share learning and avoid never events.

I had a number of staff who were under investigation by NMC following a complaint from a member of the public, i worked closely with NMC colleagues while supporting the nurses named in the complaint.

• Ensured adherence to nursing standards by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of nursing practices and ethics.
• Participated regularly in professional development activities to enhance nursing skills.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, fostering strong relationships with colleagues and patients alike.

Service Lead 2016-2020

Following 2 SAI's, in quick succession, involving people released from prisons I was asked in my role as Service manager for Community Forensic Mental Health Team to work with Prison Healthcare and devise a protocol for prisoners being released into NHSCT. We had a 6 month time frame.

This involved working with Prison healthcare staff, community mental health teams, Crisis Response Teams and gain the view of prisoners. The standard was to include those released from prison would be offered a 7 day follow up with their local Community MH Team. It quickly became apparent teams were using different forms and different processes, which was time consuming for prison nurses. We got agreement from both Trust and Prison staff to use the regional protocol Transfer of Patients. Community MH teams agreed referrals could be sent via email to each team, prison healthcare were provided with contact details for all Teams. We held meeting with Heads of Service to involve CRT if someone was released on a Friday afternoon and got agreement for this. I devised a flowchart, forwarded all paperwork required to all teams and involved our prison liaison practitioner.

I presented our work within the timeframe and also to the Zero Suicide Group

In 2015, I was in post as Service Improvement Manager in NHSCT when Emotional Wellbeing Hubs were been implemented regional. BHSCT had looked at this as a way to improve services for people suffering from low-level mental health issues and in turn reduce the impact on both primary and secondary care.

The case for improving access to Psychological/Talking Therapies is well evidenced and researched. The Bamford Strategies, DHSSPS Regional Psychological Therapies Strategy, Mental Health Services Framework and NICE guidance, all outline the need for investment in psychological therapies, delivered by a workforce, which is well trained in a range of evidence-based therapies. It is within this context as outlined in the HSCB mental health commissioning priorities that Trusts, in partnership with Local General Practitioners and Community and Voluntary sector providers, are required to establish a Primary Care Talking Therapies (Health and Wellbeing) Consortiumfor persons with emotional and common mental problems. This initiative emphasises an important shift towards a system, which puts preventative and early intervention at the heart of mental health and wellbeing. It recognises that early intervention is vital in improving people's life

Joined the NMC Registered as a Qualified Nurse, worked across all areas of mental health with 19 years in an acute setting then moved to community setting. during this time i built my career moving from a Grade D the retiring as an 8C. I have seen great improvements within mental health throughout NI but also the need for CPD and the move to 3 yearly re validation. I feel that now more than ever we need to guidance of our regulatory body to ensure a competent and professional nursing workforce.