“It's wonderful to see that the service is already making a significant difference in the lives of our patients,” according to Sarah Daly who was recently appointed to the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in Roscommon University Hospital (RUH). “Ultimately, my vision for the service is to provide respiratory care to patients as close to their homes as possible. As an ANP I can practise independently and autonomously to diagnose, treat, support and educate patients on their respiratory conditions in their local hospital.”

Sarah is ultimately responsible for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions, including Asthma, COPD, Lung Fibrosis, Pulmonary Hypertension and Sleep Related Breathing Disorders. Working with respiratory specialists in the Sleep and Respiratory Clinics at University Hospital Galway and Roscommon University Hospital has provided Sarah with additional expertise, allowing her to expand her scope of practice in the field of respiratory care.

A native of Kilconnell in County Galway, Sarah began her nursing career as an enhanced staff nurse in Portiuncula University Hospital. It was there her interest in respiratory care peaked while working with respiratory patients on the medical ward.

She joined Roscommon University Hospital as a candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Respiratory Care in 2022, after obtaining a Higher Diploma in Respiratory Care and a Master’s Degree in Nursing. During her two-year candidature, Sarah enhanced her nursing skills further working between Roscommon and Portiuncula University Hospitals, earning a certificate in nurse medicinal prescribing and referring for radiological procedures, before completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Practice at the University of Galway.

Last November Sarah was honoured to receive the Bernie Carpenter Perpetual Bursary Award from the Irish Association of Advanced Nurse Midwife Practitioners (IAANMP).  The bursary will allow Sarah to undertake further studies in the field of respiratory care. In May Sarah will travel to Edinburgh to complete a sleep medicine and cognitive behavioural therapy course which will expand her knowledge of sleep related breathing disorders and enhance her skills in supporting patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleep-related breathing disorders.

“I was delighted to receive the bursary award which will enable me to expand the sleep diagnostics service for RUH, provide comprehensive care to patients who have sleep-related respiratory disorders and ensure that patients are examined, diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, as close to home as possible,” added Sarah.

Ursula Morgan, Director of Nursing at the hospital noted that “Advanced Nurse Practitioners are transforming services for patients in hospitals through an expanded scope of practice, greater clinical autonomy and decision-making and are highest level of clinical experts in the nursing profession in Ireland today. Sarah's appointment is a significant development for service.  It will greatly enhance patient-centered care for patients who come to the hospital with respiratory conditions.”