THE QUEEN’S INSTITUTE OF DISTRICT NURSING IN IRELAND (“QIDN”)
ANNUAL REPORT 2024
(Registered Charity Number: 20003265)
OFFICERS AND ADVISORS
President & Trustee: Ms.A.Lloyd
Vice-President & Trustee: Ms.G.Keenan
Trustee: Mr.P.McBride
Treasurer: Dr.D.O’Shaughnessy
Secretary: Mr.E.Lennon
Members of Council: Ms.M.Barnes; Ms.B.Logan; Ms.E.Adams; Ms.O.Hanley
Principal Banker:
Allied Irish Banks
1 Lower Baggot Street,
D02X342,
Dublin 4
Auditors:
Upton Ryan,
Rockfield North,
Dundrum,
D16 W7W3,
Dublin 16
Solicitors:
Hayes Solicitors,
Lavery House,
D02 T625,
Dublin 2
Investment Manager:
Goodbody Stockbrokers,
2 Ballsbridge Park,
Ballsbridge,
D04 YW83,
Dublin 4
Office:
Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups,
4 North Brunswick Street,
D07 RHA8,
Dublin 7
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 its 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 its 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 its training schemes for nurses in 1968 after almost 75 years.
The Institute administered its pension fund until 2003 whereafter its general endowment fund, specific trust funds and its 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 its 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, respite care, certain types of medical mobility equipment, for individuals with a medical condition or disability, for training and education of nurses involved in palliative care and related disciplines
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 its duties under the Charities Act in regard to public benefit. The aim is to discharge that trust by making grants to a 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 2024, forty-five applications were received.
Of these, thirty-three applications were successful and awarded grants totalling €108,174.
The highest amount awarded was €12,000 and the lowest €175.
The geographical spread of the grants is shown in the chart
The grants were spread across a number of categories as follows:
The grants were spread across a number of categories as follows:
| Home Care | 9 |
| Education | 5 |
| Medical Equipment | 11 |
| Mobility Equipment | 4 |
| Palliative Care | 2 |
| Sensory Equipment | 2 |
QIDN TRUSTEES and COUNCIL
There are three Trustees and nine members of Council, including the Trustees.
The QIDN is most grateful to these individuals for their commitment, dedication and contribution to the workings of the QIDN. This has been greatly appreciated.
AUDIT REPORT 2023
This was completed by the auditor and approved at the AGM in June 2024.
ANNUAL PLAN 2023/2024
This was approved at the AGM in June 2024.
WEBSITE
The website continues to provide fundamental information about the charity, it’s personnel, it’s operation and to add significant value to the ability of the QIDN Council to process applications in a timely manner.
It continues to be enhanced as required to increases it’s functionality and suitability.
Among the improvements made was an amendment to the “home page” showing the “date of the next meeting” which is useful information for those planning to submit an application.
GOVERNANCE
The QIDN has in place policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Governance Code of the Charities Regulator.
CHARITIES REGULATOR CLASSIFICATION
The QIDN has completed the classification of the charity on the website of the Charities Regulator.
CHARITIES REGULATOR – ANNUAL REPORT
The annual report of the QIDN for 2023 was submitted to the Charities Regulator in accordance with the specified requirement.
QIDN RISK ASSESSMENT
This was reviewed and updated during the year.
REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE QIDN BY TRUSTEES
This annual review was completed.
DATA SECURITY
The QIDN approved and put in place a new policy and procedure in relation to data security and which allows for the handling of a breach or breaches of any data held by the QIDN which may occur.
EDUCATIONAL BURSARY
An annual Educational Bursary was introduced this year to provide financial support for a candidate wishing to pursue a third-level qualification in Palliative Care or associated discipline.
An application from a candidate at the LauraLynn Children’s Hospice was received which satisfied the criteria for the Bursary and was approved accordingly.
TESTIMONIALS
The QIDN receives many letters of appreciation from applicants/ referees.
Among them were:
“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.
“We are so grateful to your organisation for the extremely generous grant. We are using the funds to install a ceiling track hoist for our son who will get lifelong use out of the hoist and represents a massive relief to us who care after him. We wish all of you the very best and (are) truly appreciative of your wonderful gesture”
EK (Co.Cork)
“Dear Sir / Madam.
On behalf of Kerry Respite Care, I wish to extend our profound gratitude to the Queens Institute for the generous grant of €10,000. We are deeply honoured to receive this financial support, and it will significantly contribute to the advancement of our mission.”
Kerry Respite Care
“Dear Sir/ Madam,
On behalf of everyone at Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, but particularly on behalf of our patients and their families, I would like to thank the Council and Queen’s Institute of District Nursing in Ireland for your generous grant of €6,684.00, which we have safely received
This grant will benefit many patients in our extended care unit – Anna Gaynor House – at our hospice in Harold’s Cross, and for this we are truly grateful”
Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Centre
On behalf of Council (January 2025):
A.Lloyd
Trustee
G.Keenan
Trustee
P.McBride
Trustee