LHP Skillnet: NHI Regional Trainings 2026

Please note: We are excited to present this annual event as a special opportunity to NHI group members only.
Please note that purchased tickets for this particular event are non-refundable and non-transferable.

The Ageing Process
Online training, 9.00 a.m.—1.00 p.m., €5 p.p.
Learning outcomes:
- Explain the differences between normal ageing and ageing with conditions such as dementia or chronic illness. Overview of the common life limiting conditions associated with the elderly like Parkinsons disease, circulatory issues, diabetes type 2, arthritis and degenerative changes
- Recognise the physical, psychological and social changes commonly associated with the ageing process. The changing face of family as a concept and issues around social support and community interventions and services
- Identify both cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms and their impact on daily life and care needs. Explore the concept of frailty and using assessment tools for a person-centred approach
- Apply person-centred principles to create and adapt care plans in response to residents’ changing health and abilities
- Demonstrate awareness of how the ageing process affects communication, mobility, nutrition and hydration, and emotional wellbeing, and the impact of deficits in these areas
- Deliver care that promotes dignity, independence, and quality of life for older residents in nursing homes

Beginners Guide to AI Literacy (Care Home Sector)
Online training, 2.00 p.m.–4.00 p.m., €5 p.p
A light-touch, 2-hour introduction to Artificial Intelligence for care-home staff. The session demystifies AI, explains everyday use-cases in health and social care (e.g., scheduling, documentation help, fall-risk alerts), and highlights basic ethics, privacy and safety considerations. No technical background required.
Course Content:
- Understand AI in simple terms
- Learn where it can help in a nursing home setting
- Know how to write better prompts
- See useful prompt examples for everyday work
- Understand the need for human review and safe use
- Gain a simple understanding of AI’s environmental impact

Care Planning
Online training, 9.30 a.m.—1.00 p.m., €5 p.p.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand key details as per best practice in SSKIN, OPQRST and use of all best practice guides as per national practices
- Understand and outline best practice guidelines re: NMBI, HIQA as per Regulation 5 and all areas in identifying legal and nursing responsibilities and accountability
- Outline key points in completing a care plan such as abilities and capabilities, likes and dislikes, and each area of care provision needs and wishes
- Outline evaluations and review as per 4 monthly national legislation and linkage to policy
- Application of identified need such as diagnosis context, background and scoring, and review of smart goals
- Complete a care plan on the team as per choice/allocations such as pain, sleep, personal hygiene, responsive behaviours and support key interventions

Chronic Disease Management
Online training, 9.00 a.m.—1.00 p.m., €5 p.p.
Learning outcomes:
- Identify common chronic diseases in older residents and describe their progression
- Recognise early signs and symptoms that require timely intervention and involvement of the multidisciplinary team
- Explain the impact of chronic illness on residents’ physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, as well as on their families
- Develop and implement person-centred care plans tailored to the needs of residents with chronic conditions
- Collaborate effectively with the multidisciplinary care team to ensure comprehensive management and support to include palliative care
- Provide education and guidance to residents and families to promote understanding, coping, and active involvement in care

Communication for Nurses
Online training, 9.00 a.m.—1.00 p.m., €5 p.p.
Learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate compassionate and empathetic communication with residents and families
- Apply sensitive and respectful language in all interactions, particularly in difficult or emotionally charged situations.
- Communication in end-of-life care situations, and breaking bad news
- Recognise the importance of multi cultural awareness and adapt communication styles to meet the needs of diverse residents and staff
- Supporting new staff from different cultures in understanding the Irish communication style in order to best serve residents and clients
- Communicate effectively within the care team to promote collaboration and reduce misunderstandings. Verbal and non-verbal cues, importance of body language.
- Record and share accurate, concise, and professional notes to ensure high standards of care documentation. Written communication and the NMBI policies surrounding clinical documentation and use of social media. Use of ISBAR tool and SMART documentation approach
- Deliver clear and structured handovers that support continuity, safety, and person-centred care. Ensuring understanding by clarifying what has been understood and follow through

Complaints Management
Online training, 9.30 a.m.—12.30 p.m., €5 p.p.
Learning outcomes:
- This course will support staff in formatting timely responses, investigating main tips, trending complaints within an 8-themed framework, support with residents, family and staff
- This course outlines main techniques in assisting staff to deal with complaints effectively and efficiently to support the resident, family, staff and organisation. Communication skills and guides are provided to help staff in key and focused communication with residents and families
- Overview of Regulation 34 Complaints Procedure & Linkage with Regulation 34, HIQA Standards Themes 3 and Your Service Your Say (HSE)
- Explain how to write a response, review complaints as per national policy
- Review action plan with the team for their facility
- Communication tips and techniques using Assist model: Acknowledge, Story (facts), Sorry, Investigate, Feedback and each area of communication skills reviewed with the team

Fire Safety for PICs in Nursing Homes
Online training, 9.30 a.m.—1.30 p.m., €5 p.p.
Course Content:
- Fire safety framework & roles: key laws, standards, and duties of providers and PICs in maintaining compliant fire safety systems.
- Fire doors: daily checks, maintenance logs, and annual inspections to ensure proper operation and integrity.
- Fire detection & alarms: system standards, regular testing, maintenance certification, and integration with other safety features.
- Emergency lighting: purpose, testing routines, and compliance requirements for safe evacuation.
- Inspection readiness: maintaining accurate records and evidence for HIQA and fire authority inspections.
- Staff training: regulatory expectations for fire safety instruction, refresher cycles, and CPD recognition.
- Evacuation planning: effective PEEPs, staffing considerations, and certified evacuation equipment.

Governance and Management Regulation 23
Online training, 9.30 a.m.—12.30 p.m., €5 p.p.
Learning outcomes:
- Explain triangulation responses with changes from three days in notifiables. NF01, NF06, this which will always include complaints, policies, education and staff supervision
- Observation of team, auditing, policies, education, gap analysis in linkage to timely responses
- Communication: safety pause, handover, ISBAR, team meetings, management meeting
- Documentation: care planning, risk, minutes, application with MDT team, follow up and action with Governance Team
- Timely application of dates and who, what, when are key in each response
- Outline key areas in writing the summary of events that occurred - accurate detail is essential – who, when, where, why, what and how are key aspects in notifiables
- Overview role of governance in staff supervision and supports, and facilitation of communication to families which as per regulations has changed and updated
- Explain timely actions and what actions are required in relation to audit, training, environment
- Infection Control - an example is used as a guide
- Outline key SMARTER Objectives re: outlining responses and key areas in writing a response
- Overview of action plan in each area as team
- Full synopsis of changes in any of 34 Regulations as per Health Act introduced in March 2025 by Minister of Health – our actions

The Role of the Nurse in the Nursing Home
Online training, 9.00 a.m.—1.00 p.m., €5 p.p.
Learning outcomes:
- Define the role and scope of practice of the nurse within an Irish nursing home setting and focuses on the fundamental role of effective teamwork, delegation and supervision
- Demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance, regulatory standards, and professional accountability
- Apply principles of person-centred care in planning, delivering, and evaluating resident care
- Recognise the nurse’s leadership role in supporting, guiding, and supervising care staff. It reflects the diverse multicultural backgrounds of Irish healthcare staff and fosters an inclusive approach for staff as well as residents
- Manage documentation, reporting, and communication effectively to ensure safe and compliant practice
- Understand the historical context of nursing home development in Ireland, and the establishment, purpose and ongoing role of HIQA in regulating and supporting quality care

Skin Integrity
Online training, 9.30 a.m.—12.00 p.m., €5 p.p.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand the functions of the skin particularly those relevant to skin breakdown in older persons
- Understand how skin changes as we age and how these changes contribute to skin breakdown
- Understand how pressure, shear and friction contribute to skin breakdown
- Understand emollients: different formulations and how to use them
- Understand the negative effective that wound dressing adhesive has on skin
- Understand appropriate wound dressings for skin at risk of breakdown

Responsive Behaviour Training for Nurses
Online training, 9.30 a.m.–12.30 p.m., €5 p.p
- Identify triggers and patterns of behaviour
- Understand the PINCH Me assessment and application
- Behaviour and consequences in logging and identifying behaviours
- Understanding de-escalation techniques as part of a multi disciplinary team

Responsive Behaviour Training for HCAs
Online training, 9.30 a.m.–12.30 p.m., €5 p.p
This session on responsive behaviours aims to assist Healthcare Assistants in supporting a resident with responsive behaviours. The course aims to support the HCA and team to identify triggers and patterns of behaviours with a person in their care. This programme will assist staff in understanding key de-escalation principles and practices such as communication skills, approach in body language and understanding potential unmet needs for the resident. Communication and consistent approaches are reviewed the team with short, medium, and long terms goals identified to support the resident and the team.
Course Content:
- Overview of Responsive Behaviours/Behaviour of Concern: pattern and triggers in tandem with HIQA (Regulation 8 and Regulation 9 Residents Rights) Identifying why a person may be declining care and support and needs and wishes reviewed.
- Physical, psychological, and psychosocial barriers that can trigger responsive behaviours - using the PINCH ME (national) to guide assessment of responsive behaviours awareness; intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may cause a responsive behaviour. In the pain, physical and psychosocial approach the role of the HCA in assisting the resident is central.
- Explore alternative approaches to manage responsive behaviours: what can be done differently. Time, supports, communication, pain assessment, positive language, coming down to the person’s level, equality and dignity, non-paternalistic supports.
- Explore patterns of behaviour and intervention. Using ABC approach; in looking at behaviours handover from the HCA in use of language will be reviewed in non-judgemental approaches
- Understand de-escalation techniques and explore practical approaches to management of care for residents displaying responsive behaviours that require a responsive approach.
- Explore a debriefing model (COPING) to support resident and staff post incidents; outlining the importance of assessment and care planning relating to consistency of the team and view with the team.

Restrictive Practice in Elderly Residential Care Setting
Online training, 9.00 a.m.–12.30 p.m., €5 p.p.
This course aims to help staff understand fully the concept of Person-Centered Care and delivering care that is not in any way restrictive where possible. It is designed to empower and educate staff about their roles and responsibilities in the area of Restrictive Practice and Restraint.
Course Content:
- To work towards promoting a restraint-free environment in Nursing Homes where possible.
- To ensure that restraint is only used as a last resort in exceptional circumstances following an interdisciplinary assessment
- To educate staff about the concept of Restrictive Practice in everyday life in the Nursing Home and suggest alternative approaches to care.
- To involve the resident, their family and carer in the decision-making process, taking into consideration the person's rights, safety and dignity
- To be aware of National Requirements from HIQA(2019) and HSE National Policy, Procedure, and Guidelines and always achieve compliance.
- Provide resources in support of actioning these practices in the care setting.

Sonas Programme - Activity Coordinator
Blended learning (1 day on site, 2 days online), €100 p.p.
The aim of the Sonas Programme is to enhance the quality of life for older people, particularly those with dementia or significant communication impairments, through multi-sensory stimulation.
Course Schedule:
- Day 1 (on site at the Tullamore Court Hotel) 24th April 2026, 9.30 a.m.—4.30 p.m.
- Day 2 (online) 22nd May 2026, 9.30 a.m.—3.30 p.m.
- Day 3 (online) 26th June 2026, 9.30 a.m.—3.30 p.m.
Course Content:
- Understand the principles and philosophy behind the Sonas Programme, including its focus on person-centred care and multi-sensory stimulation for older people with communication impairments or dementia.
- Demonstrate knowledge of dementia and communication impairment, including how these conditions affect individuals physically, emotionally, and socially.
- Design and deliver effective Sonas sessions that stimulate the five senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste) and promote relaxation, interaction, and enjoyment.
- Adapt sessions to meet the individual needs of participants, taking into account their cognitive, sensory, and physical abilities.
- Create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment that supports dignity, autonomy, and personhood.
- Evaluate and reflect on the impact of Sonas sessions using appropriate observational and feedback tools.

Therapeutic Diets in Aged Care
Online training, 2.00 p.m.–3.30 p.m., €5 p.p
This 90 minute webinar provides chefs in Irish nursing homes with practical, clinically aligned training on therapeutic diets and their role in supporting resident safety, dignity, and nutritional wellbeing. The session covers the core therapeutic diets used in long term care — diabetic, renal, low fat, and fortified diets — with a strong focus on real world kitchen application, HIQA expectations, and effective multidisciplinary communication.
Course Content:
- Foundations of therapeutic nutrition in older adults, including appetite changes, taste alterations, muscle loss, and swallowing difficulties. Chefs learn how to balance clinical requirements with enjoyment and quality of life, and how therapeutic diets interact with IDDSI Levels 3–7.
- Clear, actionable cooking strategies. Chefs learn the modern approach to diabetic diets, practical potassium reduction methods for renal diets, low fat cooking techniques for gastrointestinal conditions, and a full understanding of fortification for calories, protein, fibre, and iron. The session also clarifies the communication steps chefs must take with nursing and dietetic teams to ensure accuracy and safety.
- IDDSI cooking and texture modified meal production equips chefs with the skills to prepare safe, compliant meals for residents with dysphagia. This includes testing methods, texture correction, flavour retention, and common pitfalls to avoid.
- Food cost and budget pressures within Irish nursing homes, offering cost effective ingredient strategies, waste reduction approaches, and guidance on communicating resource needs to management.