Integrating hospital and community care: using a community virtual ward model to deliver combined specialist and generalist care to patients with severe chronic respiratory disease in their homes.

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases are responsible for significant patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare use. Community virtual ward (CVW) models of care have been successfully implemented to manage patients with complex medical conditions.

Aims: To explore the feasibility and clinical outcomes of a CVW model of care in patients with chronic respiratory disease.

Caseload management framework for public health nurses in the Republic of Ireland.

This article outlines the steps taken in a change management project to develop and implement a national caseload management framework for clinical nursing activities within public health nursing services in the Republic of Ireland. It involved the development of metrics, definitions, data collection resources and relevant written procedures. It was developed and implemented over a period of 12 months and involved the engagement and involvement of approximately 2000 frontline, management and administrative staff.

Reshaping Public Health Nursing in the Republic of Ireland.

Across the world, there are concerns about how nursing and midwifery services are delivered in community settings. In the Republic of Ireland (ROI), significant economic contraction since 2009 has resulted in a decrease in the number of personnel available at a time when the older and younger population has been increasing. The purpose of this article is to outline a change initiative made in one public health nursing service in the ROI.