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208 2020 | NMH Annual Rep t Education T he Healthy Ireland (HI) Group at The National Maternity Hospital (NMH) is co-ordinated by Mary Brosnan (Director of Midwifery), Sinéad Curran (Dietitian Manager) and Eoghan Hayden (Clinical Engineering). Helen McCrimmon provides all admin support, liaises with national health promotion campaigns and organises HI activities and programs within the NMH. Representatives to the group include Occupational Health, HR, Senior Managers, Laboratory Services, Physiotherapy, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors and the Diabetes Team. The unprecedented and varied stresses on NMH staff as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic was the instigator of the HI 'Work Buddy' campaign. A checklist to help staff transition from work to home was developed and posters created and displayed throughout the hospital. During the first phase of pandemic restrictions, with staff redeployed to testing and co-ordination of the COVID-19 response, Sinead Curran co-ordinated a cross-disciplinary Well Being Support Group including Sarah Cullen, John Geoghegan, Lisa Courtney, Mark Anderson, Joanna Murphy, Helen McCrimmon, Kaylene Jackson and Ciara Ryan to produce a weekly blog, HI posters and emails. NMH staff contributed delicious recipes, practical wellbeing and self-care tips, quizzes, competitions and book reviews. As the year progressed, contributions were incorporated into the staff newsletter in collaboration with NMH Communications Officer, Jennie Cotter. Heal y Ireland In June, our Mental Health Liaison Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Deirdre Madden, put together a beautiful audio visual piece to help NMH staff access the power of a connection with nature to support wellbeing. It was shown throughout the day at timed intervals in the Midwives Sitting Room and made available to view on the staff blog. It was a lovely parting gift from Deirdre and we wish her well for the future. The HI Group acknowledges the extraordinary innovation and resilience of NMH staff throughout 2020 and is especially grateful to Helen McCrimmon for her ongoing work to support staff wellbeing. Other HI Activities in 2020 January to March: Free Staff Healthy Lifestyle program with weekly weight management support provided by Grace Airey February: Staff talk on sleep hygiene from Sleep Therapist Deirdre McSwiney March- July: Weekly Staff Blog & online supports April: HSE Stress Control Program May: IBEC National Workplace Wellbeing Day run by HR June: Nature Connection Day October: NTA 'Walktober' Challenge November: NTA Light up your Bike (with thanks to Damian McKeown)