Key stakeholders pictured at the launch of Ireland’s first Postgraduate Diploma in Neurology Nursing at RCSI.

Ireland’s first Postgraduate Diploma in Neurology Nursing was officially launched today at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, representing a major step forward in specialist nursing education and neurology care in Ireland. 

The launch event brought together senior academic and clinical leaders, nursing and health service representatives, patient advocacy organisations, and members of the inaugural student cohort. 

Meeting Growing Demand in Neurology Care 

Neurology nurses play a central role in delivering high-quality, person-centred care for people living with neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. Responding to growing service demand, the new postgraduate diploma addresses a long-standing gap in specialist education, ensuring practice is informed by contemporary research and supported through accessible, advanced training. 

A Collaborative National Effort 

Developed through close collaboration between academic, clinical and patient advocacy partners, the programme reflects a shared commitment to building a skilled and sustainable neurology nursing workforce. Key partners include RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery, the HSE National Clinical Programme for Neurology, the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), the Irish Neurology Nurses Forum (INNF), the HSE Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD), and the FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science. 

Building Expertise and Career Pathways 

The diploma equips nurses with advanced clinical, research and leadership skills, creating clear career pathways and strengthening capacity across neurology services. Informed by meaningful engagement with patient advocacy partners, the curriculum is grounded in current research and reflects the lived experiences of people with neurological conditions. 

Speaking at the launch, senior leaders from across healthcare, education and patient advocacy highlighted the programme’s significance for specialist nursing education and patient care. The Department of Health’s Chief Nursing Officer, Rachel Kenna, attended the event, recognising the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced training in strengthening neurology services nationwide. 

Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health, said: 

“The introduction of this inaugural programme in Ireland, will support implementation of the HSE Neurology Model of Care through a highly skilled and appropriately trained nursing workforce.  Embedding policy on Graduate, Specialist and Advanced Nursing Practice (DOH) through education we know leads to high quality care and better outcomes for patients. I wish to commend the contribution of all stakeholders involved in this important collaborative work.” 

 Professor Tom O’Connor, Director of Academic Affairs and Deputy Head of School, Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI, said: 

“The RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery is proud to lead the delivery of Ireland’s first specialist neurology nursing postgraduate diploma. Developed in partnership with our neurology stakeholders, this programme establishes a national pathway to specialist practice and advances the quality of care for people living with neurological conditions across Ireland.” 

Professor Sinéad Murphy, Clinical Lead, National Clinical Programme for Neurology and Consultant Neurologist at Tallaght University Hospital, said: 

“The National Clinical Programme for Neurology Model of Care highlights the importance of Neurology nurse specialists as part of the multidisciplinary team needed to provide high– quality care for patients with neurological disease. This postgraduate diploma will provide a clear pathway for nurses who want to develop expertise in neurology and ensure the availability of a pool of suitably qualified Neurology nurse specialists for the future.” 

Magdalen Rogers, Executive Director with the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, said: 

“As the national umbrella of neurological patient organisations, the NAI is keenly aware of the vital work of nurse specialists in patient care and welcomes this important step in creating a sustainable pathway for neurology nursing going forward.” 

This landmark programme demonstrates the transformative impact of partnership in advancing specialist nursing education and represents a significant milestone in the evolution of neurology care in Ireland.