SUMMARY

The origins of The Queen’s Institute of District Nursing in Ireland go back to the eighteen hundreds. 

In 1859 in Liverpool, Lucretia Wainwright Gair was nursed at home by a Mary Robinson during her final illness. Lucretia was the wife of William Rathbone who was a businessman and philanthropist.  After her death William Rathbone wanted to ensure that similar care could be available to people in Liverpool who could not afford to pay for such a service.  He obtained the assistance of Florence Nightingale and set up a system to train nurses to care for patients in their own homes.

1887 was the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and the women of the United Kingdom ( which included Ireland at that time) raised monies as a gift to be spent according to the Queen’s wishes. She funded William Rathbone’s initiative and the Queen’s Institute of District Nursing was born and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1889. This was the beginning of the organisation of district nursing. 

The Institute had it’s first Dublin office at 14 Nassau Street. It organised the education of district nurses, district nursing services and associated functions. It also funded pensions for district nurses.

At that time, the QIDN undertook fundraising activities to support it’s services. These were the first formal community nursing care services in Ireland and laid the foundations for the services we have today. 

As newer systems of education for nurses came into being the QIDN terminated it’s training schemes for nurses in 1968 after almost 75 years. 

The Institute administered it’s pension fund until 2003 whereafter it’s general endowment fund, specific trust funds and it’s pension and gratuity fund were amalgamated into one consolidated fund by the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland.  This consolidated fund is now administered by the QIDN in accordance with it’s constitution (dated 2020).

There are nine members, including Trustees, on the Council of the QIDN.

All of these members provide their services on a “pro bono” basis.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Queen’s Institute of District Nursing is a registered charity in Ireland which aims to provide financial assistance for palliative care, hospices, respite care, training and education of nurses involved in palliative care and for individuals with a medical condition or disability.

The funds are also intended to help where there is either undue delay in obtaining the required assistance or where funds are not available from the statutory bodies.

GRANTS

The Council of the QIDN is aware of it’s duties under the Charities Act in regard to public benefit.

The aim is to discharge that trust by making grants to a great number of beneficiaries across a wide section of the general public.

Throughout the year, the Council operated in such a way that each application received a careful, fair and responsible decision. This care was demonstrated in the time taken to examine applications on behalf of individuals and organisations and by responding as fairly as possible.

During 2020, thirty-two applications were received.

Of these, twenty-five applications were successful and awarded grants totalling €53,077.

The lowest amount awarded was €300 and the highest €7,500.

The grants were spread across a number of categories as follows:

Home Care – Nursing Support:         13

Respite Care:                                        2

Medical Equipment:                            9

Medical Assessment:                           1

The QIDN receives many letters of appreciation from grantees.

An example is given below:

“We wish to thank you sincerely for your very kind contribution.
The grant has been a huge help to us and our daughter now has a ramp for outdoors and access to her play area.
Keep up the great work”
Parents of Individual Grant Recipient.