Portiuncula University Hospital strengthens women’s health services with appointment of Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Ambulatory Gynaecology

Portiuncula University Hospital has welcomed the appointment of Yvonne Claffey as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in Women’s Health, Ambulatory Gynaecology, further strengthening specialist services for women across the region.

In her role, Yvonne provides expert, patient-centred care for women with benign gynaecological conditions, managing the full clinical pathway from assessment and diagnosis through to treatment and discharge. Her specialist practice includes the management of abnormal uterine bleeding, including post-menopausal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding and post-coital bleeding.

Through dedicated one-stop clinics, women benefit from timely access to consultation, investigation and treatment within a single visit where appropriate, improving their experience of care while reducing delays and the need for multiple hospital appointments.

Yvonne performs a range of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including transvaginal ultrasound, outpatient hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. She also provides specialist treatments such as the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception, the management of heavy menstrual bleeding and endometrial protection as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Her appointment supports the continued expansion of ambulatory gynaecology services at Portiuncula University Hospital following the opening of the hospital's new Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit (AGU) in April 2025.

The AGU brings together a multidisciplinary team of consultants, advanced nurse practitioners, nursing staff, healthcare attendants and administrative personnel to deliver high-quality, women-centred care in a safe, accessible and supportive environment.

Operating as a one-stop, see-and-treat service, the unit provides both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for a wide range of common gynaecological conditions. Dedicated clinics combine consultation, investigations and treatment within a single visit wherever possible, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, streamlining care pathways and ensuring women receive timely access to specialist care.

International evidence has demonstrated that ambulatory gynaecology services improve patient outcomes and experience by providing earlier access to specialist assessment and treatment while reducing unnecessary admissions and repeat hospital visits.

The HSE West and North West continues to invest in the development of ambulatory gynaecology services at Portiuncula University Hospital, with the Advanced Nurse Practitioner role playing a key role in expanding access to specialist women's healthcare across the region.

A native of Lorrha, County Tipperary, Yvonne qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1995 and began her career at Portiuncula University Hospital before travelling to Australia to broaden her clinical experience.

Following her return to Ireland in 1997, she worked in several acute hospitals, including the Mater Private Hospital, Nenagh Hospital and Letterkenny University Hospital, developing extensive expertise in perioperative, theatre and post-operative nursing. During this time, she completed a Higher Diploma in Perioperative Nursing at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

Bringing more than 20 years' experience in acute hospital nursing, Yvonne holds a Bachelor of Nursing Studies from Dublin City University and a Master of Science in Nursing (Perioperative Care) from the University of Limerick. She joined the newly established Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit in 2022 as an Enhanced Staff Nurse, where she played a key role in developing and delivering the service.

In 2023, Yvonne commenced the three-year Advanced Nurse Practitioner candidacy programme in Women's Health, Ambulatory Gynaecology, designed to prepare experienced nurses for advanced clinical practice roles while continuing to support the development of the service.

During her candidacy, she completed a Professional Certificate in Gynaecological Ultrasound at University College Dublin, a Postgraduate Certificate in Diagnostic Hysteroscopy and Therapeutic Management at the University of Bradford, a Certificate in Medicinal Products Prescribing at the University of Galway, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Advanced Practice) at the University of Galway.

Yvonne was appointed as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Women's Health, Ambulatory Gynaecology in April 2026 and continues to play a leading role in expanding specialist ambulatory gynaecology services at Portiuncula University Hospital.

Speaking about her appointment, Yvonne said: “Having spent much of my nursing career at Portiuncula University Hospital, I am delighted to take up the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Women's Health, Ambulatory Gynaecology. Supporting women through every stage of their care journey and ensuring timely access to specialist services is both a privilege and incredibly rewarding.

"The ambulatory gynaecology model allows us to provide care in a more streamlined and accessible way, with many women able to receive consultation, investigations and treatment within a single visit. This not only improves the patient experience but also reduces waiting times and the need for multiple hospital appointments.

"Seeing the positive difference this approach makes for women and their families is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my multidisciplinary colleagues to further develop and enhance women's health services at Portiuncula University Hospital and across the region."

Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery at the hospital said, "Yvonne's appointment as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner reflects her outstanding clinical expertise, dedication and commitment to delivering high-quality care for women. The Advanced Nurse Practitioner role is central to the continued development of our Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit, improving timely access to specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment.”