ProfessorFiona McNicholas

The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 was an unprecedented event. In the last 10 months there have been significant demands on the Irish healthcare system as case numbers increased, reduced and subsequently rose again. We are now in the third wave of the pandemic, and with numbers remaining stubbornly high, there is concern about how the health system is coping. Frontline healthcare workers continue to endure increased workloads, risk of infection and infecting others, moral distress arising from challenges around decision-making with regards to resource allocation and end of life care. We invite you to join our free Virtual Symposium on Friday 5th March where we will navigate the pressing issues for healthcare professionals on the frontline. Keynote speaker Professor Neil Greenberg, King’s College London will discuss moral injury and mental health in healthcare staff. From our diverse panel of speakers we will hear a personal account of COVID-19, and learn about research studies addressing the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare staff. We will obtain the perspective of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and learn how tailored psychological supports have been rolled out in a Dublin teaching hospital. We will also consider barriers that staff may face in accessing this support.

Winter College of psychaitry meeting Symposium on  Transitioning from CAMHS to AMHS:

ADHD-Care, a joint initiative of UCD CAP (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry), Maynooth University and HADD-ADHD Ireland are delighted to be collaborating with the Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development (ACJRD) to host this conference. Conference Overview: The aim of the conference is to draw together a range of speakers from different professional backgrounds who work with people who are neurodiverse including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and Intellectual Disability. The goal is to provide attendees with an up to date understanding of the impact of neurodevelopmental conditions on offending behaviours and to highlight practical strategies that have been shown to be effective in working with individuals who are neurodiverse within the criminal justice system. The event is suitable for clinicians, researchers, judiciary and advocates. A public lecture will be hosted on Thurs evening 31st October. Keynote Speakers: Professor Susan Young: Honorary Consultant Psychologist at Broadmoor Hospital and Director of Forensic Research and Development for West London Mental Health Trust. She has extensive experience in the assessment & treatment of offenders with mental illness and/or mental disorder, specializing in forensic neuropsychology & ADHD. Professor Dame Sue Bailey OBE DBE: Consultant Child & Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist and Professor of Child & Adolescent Mental Health. Her clinical and research work is in the field of young offenders who commit serious crimes. Professor Bailey has been an expert witness at numerous trials of young offenders. She is also the author of a number of books on young offenders' mental health. Professor Bailey has worked extensively on mental health and social care policy and legislation. Dr Lena Lundholm: is a clinical psychologist whose key research focus is ADHD, substance abuse and the relationship with crime. She has also worked in management in the Swedish Prison and Probation Service. Conference Chair: Judge John O’Connor Conference organisers: Dr Blanaid Gavin, Dr Etain Quigley, Prof Fiona McNicholas & Ken Kilbride.

Forensic evaluations of youth may be requested to assist in a variety of legal settings, including the family, juvenile, civil, and criminal courts. many of these will go to dedicated forensic CAMHS, but as these are developing in Ireland, such requests are frequently made of professionals working within generic CAMHS. Their role may differ to that of a clinician’s with a duty of care to their patients, and may involve a role as an expert. There is a need for professionals working within CAMHS to be able to provide such assessments as required. This half day event, presented by a leading expert in this area, will review important aspects to support professionals working with children in conducting a forensic assessment, and in cross agency work, bearing in mind limitations imposed by any duty of care, and issues of confidentiality. Speaker: Sue Bailey is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist, focussing on risks presented by and to young people who enter the mental health, social care and youth justice systems nationally and internationally. She has worked in the field of child psychiatry for over thirty years and was appointed President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2011. Organised by Prof. Fiona McNicholas, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Lucena Clinic/UCD/Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

Symposium European Society for Child & Adolescent psychiatry, ESCAP: Pediatric Liaison psychiatry

ESCAP: Individual Talks Caring for Carers of youth with an Eating Disorder

Symposium ESCAP: Caring For Carers (Chair & presenter)

Dissemination of MILESTONE study to stakeholders, funders, service users, government officials

Dissemination of MILESTONES research to an Irish audience of service users, clinicians and stakeholders.

Parent Psycho-education evening Non medication management of ADHD

Parent Psycho-education evening Tics, Tourettes & OCD

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to date numerous clinicians, students and public have logged on to the sessions. Feedback received has been very positive, outlining the provision of useful resources to assist in their day to day care delivery and self management, along with providing relevant updates from the academic press.

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Oral / Poster Presentations The Transition Congress, 17th International Congress of ESCAP Geneva, 9-11 July 2017From Zero To Hero: How Do Men View And Talk About Their Bodies? An exploratory piece of young men's lived experience with body image and self-esteem issues.Imran F-H, O hara L, McNicholas F Exploring social identity change during mental healthcare transitionMcNamara N, McNicholas F. Transitions in perinatal and preterm infant mental health: the importance of early recognition and intervention. McNicholas F Twohig A, Molloy, E Attachment focused intervention can support preterm infant social-emotional development: results of the PIPPA StudyTwohig A, Molloy, E, McNicholas F. The Ethical Aspects Of Transitional Care Between Child- And Adult-Orientated Health Services ' Key Findings From A Systematic Literature ReviewPaul M. O Hara L, McNicholas F. Transition with a view on the Republic of Ireland: advances and operational practiceMcNamara N, McNicholas F.