Mayo University Hospital Appoints Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Respiratory Integrated Care

Mayo University Hospital welcomes the appointment of Moira Murphy as Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in Respiratory Integrated Care, marking an important development in the delivery of a new respiratory service for patients across both hospital and community settings.

The newly established service, led by Moira, supports the objectives of the Enhanced Care Clinical Programme by delivering integrated, patient-centred respiratory care closer to home. The initiative aims to improve access to specialist services, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and enhance quality of life for people living with respiratory conditions.

Working across both acute and community services within the Mayo Chronic Disease Hub, Moira provides advanced assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Her role includes the management of both acute and chronic respiratory conditions, supported by specialist investigations such as pulmonary function testing and radiological imaging to inform clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.

The service aligns with the National Respiratory Model of Care under the Enhanced Clinical Care Programme, which aims to bring specialist expertise into community settings, improve continuity of care and support patients to manage their conditions effectively outside of hospital.

As an independent prescriber, Moira is authorised to initiate and adjust respiratory medications, ensuring timely, safe and effective treatment. She supports patients presenting with symptoms such as breathlessness, persistent cough, wheeze, chest tightness, recurrent chest infections and fatigue, while also providing ongoing disease management for those living with asthma and COPD.

Moira qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1993 at Whittington Hospital, London, where she also completed her early post-registration training before taking up a position at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton as a staff nurse in renal care.

After completing a Cardiothoracic Critical Care course in 1996 at Harefield Hospital, Moira spent two and a half years working in cardiothoracic transplantation and intensive care before progressing to the role of Senior Staff Nurse on a respiratory ward at the Royal Brompton Hospital, where she gained extensive specialist experience in respiratory nursing.

In 2001 Moira moved to Ireland from her native Essex, settling in Lahardane, North Mayo, a place that already felt like home. With both of her parents and her husband proudly from Mayo, her roots were always destined to lead her West. She began her nursing career in Ireland as a Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist at Sligo University Hospital, where she later qualified as a Nurse Prescriber, completing her prescribing certificate at the Royal College of Surgeons.

Building on more than 20 years of experience in respiratory nursing and patient-centred care, Moira joined the Public Health Nursing Service in Mayo as a Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist in Integrated Care.

In 2023, she was appointed as a candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Respiratory Care at Mayo University Hospital. Following completion of a two-year candidacy, Moira was awarded a Master of Science in Nursing (Advanced Specialist Nursing Practice) from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, enabling her to register and practise as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Advanced Nurse Practitioners represent the highest level of clinical expertise within the nursing profession in Ireland. With an expanded scope of practice and increased clinical autonomy, ANPs are authorised to assess, diagnose, prescribe and independently manage patient care, improving access to specialist treatment and enhancing patient outcomes.

Speaking about her appointment, Moira said: “My role focuses on improving access to care through early diagnosis, early intervention and timely treatment, ensuring that every patient has a clear and coordinated care plan.

“A key part of my work is collaborating across hospital and community services to support integrated care and seamless patient journeys. Alongside my clinical responsibilities, I am actively involved in reducing waiting times and preventing hospital admissions for patients with asthma and COPD. I am also engaged in service development, education and quality improvement within the respiratory team.”

Dr Pádraig Ó Lúanaigh, Director of Nursing at Mayo University Hospital, said: “We are delighted to welcome Moira to her role as Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Respiratory Integrated Care. This appointment represents a significant step forward in strengthening our respiratory services and enhancing access to specialist care for patients across Mayo.

“Moira brings a wealth of experience, clinical expertise and a strong commitment to patient-centred care. Her role will support earlier intervention, reduce hospital admissions and ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“This development reflects our ongoing commitment to integrated care, service innovation and improving outcomes for people living with chronic respiratory conditions in our community.”