Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Cork, is proud to announce the appointment of Elaine O’Donovan and Susan Hilliard as its first two Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) in palliative care. This milestone marks a significant advancement in the provision of specialist palliative care services for the people of Cork and the surrounding region, further strengthening Marymount’s tradition of compassionate care rooted in a legacy dating back to 1870.
Elaine O’Donovan and Susan Hilliard are both trained to Masters level in palliative care and bring extensive clinical expertise, leadership, and a commitment to innovation in the care of individuals living with life-limiting illness. Their roles are designed to ensure that patients and their families have enhanced access to expert support in managing complex symptoms and needs, both within the hospital and throughout the community.
“This is a landmark achievement for Marymount and for palliative care in Cork,” said Danielle Broe, Interim Director of Nursing. “The introduction of the ANP role will enable us to further expand specialist palliative care services in the community, improve patient outcomes, and support our teams in delivering the highest standards of compassionate and evidence-based care.”
The appointment of ANPs are a very welcome addition to our multidisciplinary team and these appointments reflects Marymount’s ongoing commitment to advancing clinical practice and responding to the growing and evolving needs of the community it serves. This initiative will help ensure that more people living with life limiting illnesses can receive expert palliative care wherever they need it whether in hospital, at home, or in other community settings.
Marymount University Hospital and Hospice is the designated specialist palliative care centre for Cork city and county, delivering a consultant-led 44-bed inpatient service, an outpatient day services, and a community palliative care service, all supported by multidisciplinary teams. Marking its 155th anniversary this year, Marymount is widely recognised for leadership in palliative care education and research and works in close partnership with University College Cork. We also acknowledge the great support we receive from the HSE and in particular are extremely grateful to our colleagues Mari O Donovan and Majella Doherty for their ongoing support for the development of Marymount services.