The primary focus of the Mental Health Ireland Kevin Plunkett Award is to recognise the contribution of mental health nurses who have distinguished themselves in their role and to further contribute to building nursing practice excellence and improving care and services for people using services and their families. In line with Mental Health Ireland’s strategy of co-production, the active involvement of people with lived experience, is paramount at all stages of the process.
Mental Health Ireland wish to recognise the work of Mental Health Nurses working throughout Ireland. Kevin Plunkett award is named after the former Area Director of Nursing for Waterford/Wexford Mental Health Service who passed away in May of this year. Kevin was a dedicated mental health nurse and mental health volunteer who showed great courage and leadership throughout his career.
On Oct 10th, World Mental Health Day, Mental Health Ireland are introducing this new initiative and invite nominations for Registered Psychiatric Nurses working in Ireland. The Mental Health Ireland Kevin Plunkett Award will recognise and celebrate RPNs who have shown innovation in areas which may include; Mental Health Promotion, Co-Production, Facilitating Recovery, Service Quality, Innovation and Improvement Public Understanding or Community engagement.
We wish to recognise Mental Health Nurses who bring new thinking or fresh insights aligned to the recommendations of the new national mental health policy ‘Sharing the Vision’ and Mental Health Ireland’s own strategy. We also wish to acknowledge best practice, innovation, sustainable and impactful change being brought about by RPNs at all levels. Nominations will be accepted for nurses working in the public and private sector, hospital or community settings, NGOs, research, service improvement and the academic centres.
In keeping with MHI’s co-production principles, a Working Group has been convened which includes a Mental Health Ireland Board Member, an Area Director of Nursing nominee, a member of Kevin Plunkett’s family and a Person with Lived Experience. Nomination and application is made via mental Health Ireland’s website.
Closing date for applications is Wednesday, Dec 15th 2021.
Award Applications received after this date will not be considered.