Working life: PJ Cooke, public health nurse

7am

I’m based in Rosscarbery.

8.30am

I run a clinic most mornings. Before it gets under way, I go through emails and voicemails and plan for the day ahead. I regularly link in with other members of the primary care team to formulate care plans for people with complex needs who are living at home.

10am

Clinic gets under way. Twice a week, I run a wound care clinic where I assess patients’ wounds to see if they are being managed correctly.

The other days, I hold a child health clinic where I assess babies to make sure they’re reaching their developmental milestones. It’s essentially a screening service for early detection of any developmental issues.

I examine about 400 infants a year and I discuss their progress with their parents.

I spend about half an hour with each child, depending on how many questions the parents have.

1pm

I grab a bit of lunch and go through any admin generated by the morning clinic.

1.30pm

My afternoon is spent in the community, visiting people in the home. Yesterday, I assessed mother and newborn baby. As part of the newborn bloodspot screening programme, I requested a “heel prick” test. The blood sample is screened for metabolic disorders and cystic fibrosis.

3pm

My next visit is to a vulnerable patient to assess them for support services in the home. There are a couple of options — home help, respite, daycare. Sometimes new equipment is required, such as a hospital bed, or palliative support may be required if the person is dying.

4pm

Back to the office to finish admin work.

5.30pm

The kids keep evenings busy between soccer and GAA training. When I can, I go kayaking or do a bit of running.

7pm

I deliver a talk on prostate and testicular cancer at one of our men’s health information evenings run in partnership with the GAA. Men can avail of health screening at the meetings, such as blood pressure checks, tests for diabetes and peripheral vascular disease.

* PJ Cooke is a public health nurse in West Cork.