Roscommon Injury Unit expands to meet the demand for urgent care

The Injury Unit at Roscommon University Hospital is constantly evolving in response to the increasing demand for patient care. With a strong emphasis on high-quality, patient-centered care, the unit is an example of excellence in the delivery of urgent care.

Central to this success is the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)-led emergency nursing service, which has played a pivotal role in improving access to care, reducing patient wait times and maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence. This progressive vision has been further reinforced by the recent appointments of Deneka Hanly and Marina O’Flanagan, Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Emergency Nursing.

Utilizing the advanced clinical expertise and autonomy of Advanced Nurse Practitioners, the unit continues to deliver timely assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a broad spectrum of minor injuries, ensuring patients receive high-quality care closer to home, while also supporting a more sustainable healthcare system by easing the pressure on busy emergency departments.

In 2024, the Roscommon Injury Unit cared for over 16,000 patients. The recent appointments of County Roscommon natives Deneka Hanly and Marina O’Flanagan have brought the number of Advanced Nurse Practitioner positions in the unit to seven - further enhancing its ability to provide timely, expert care while continually improving the patient experience.

Deneka Hanly began her nursing career at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore after earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing where she gained extensive experience in both medical and surgical nursing. Drawn to the dynamic and fast-paced environment of emergency care, Deneka spent 14 years in the emergency department, initially as a staff nurse and later advancing to the role of Clinical Nurse Manager.

She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing from the University of Galway and a Certification in Nurse Authority to Prescribe Ionising Radiation, further enhancing her scope of practice.

Reflecting on her journey to becoming an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Deneka shared, "After many years of providing skilled assessment and treatment for a wide range of minor injuries, my passion for patient-centered care continued to grow. It reinforced my commitment to delivering high-quality patient care while also supporting patient education and empowerment."

Marina O’Flanagan began her nursing career as a staff nurse at University Hospital Galway after completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. After three years of experience in both surgical and medical wards, she joined the emergency department team to further expand her clinical expertise.  It was here Marina gained her passion for emergency care and went to advance to the role of Clinical Nurse Manager.  She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing, a Certification in Nurse Authority to Prescribe Ionising Radiation and a Certificate in Prescribing of Medicinal Products.

Sharing her thoughts Marina said, “I am committed to delivering the highest standard of evidence-based care while ensuring that every patient has a positive and compassionate experience during their visit to the Injury Unit.

“Our goal as a team is to provide timely, expert care in a supportive environment that respects the individual needs of each patient."

After completing a two-year candidature process at Roscommon University Hospital, both Deneka and Marina graduated with a Masters Degree in Advanced Nursing Practice from the University of Galway, qualifying them for registration as Advanced Nurse Practitioners.

Advanced Nurse Practitioners are the highest level of clinical experts in the nursing profession in Ireland today. They are transforming services for patients not only in hospitals, but in the community and in the home, through an expanded scope of practice, greater clinical autonomy and decision-making.

Ursula Morgan, Director of Nursing at the Hospital said, “Our ANP-led service is truly transformative. It significantly enhances the patient experience and delivers measurable improvements in both access to care and clinical outcomes. We’re delighted to welcome Deneka and Marina to our expanding team.

“The Injury Unit remains at the forefront of urgent care, driven by a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and patient-centered service.”