Working Life: I was born a nurse and, even in retirement, I’m delighted to still work as one

Mary Llewellyn, respiratory nurse, asthma advice line, Asthma Society of Ireland. Picture: Moya Nolan

“I’m a true-blue, dyed-in-the-wool Dub. From as early as I can remember, I wanted to be a nurse. I started at 17, and I’m still working at 69. I have never regretted my decision.

“I qualified as a general nurse in 1978, as a children’s nurse in 1979, and as a midwife in 1981. I’ve had a marvellous career spanning work in Ireland, the UK, India, the USA, Vietnam, and South America.

“I’ve worked in hospitals, care facilities, an assessment unit for children with intellectual disabilities, a prison, on ships, in field vaccination centres in the developing world, in GP practices, family planning clinics, STI screening services, in hospice care, in Lourdes, and with the Special Olympics.

“Although I’m largely retired, I work two mornings per week on the Asthma Society of Ireland’s asthma advice line – a free callback service for people with asthma.

“Adults with asthma (or parents of children with asthma) can self-refer to the advice line for evidence-based, nurse-led or physiotherapist-led guidance to help manage symptoms and avoid hospital admissions. It’s a free 30-minute consultation. The support and advice covers everything from the basics of asthma to hay fever, exercise, and pregnancy, even how to prepare for a GP or consultant visit.

Mary Llewellyn, respiratory nurse, asthma advice line, Asthma Society of Ireland. Picture: Moya Nolan

“So far this year, the advice line has answered over 4,519 calls and 4,995 WhatsApp messages. Clinician referrals are rising too as part of measures the HSE has introduced to support people with a chronic illness like asthma. Integrated care hubs enable adults to access asthma diagnostics, management, and rehabilitation closer to home.

“Since starting work with the society 35 years ago, the organisation has massively expanded.

“The charity now employs 10 nurses and a physiotherapist, all working from home, on an appointment basis.

“I think I was born a nurse and, even in retirement, I’m delighted to still work as one.

“Outside of work, I am a grandmother whose family lives in Jersey, Channel Islands.

“I am very grateful that I could spend a year of the pandemic in Jersey with them.

“I love gardening, and I grow grapes, I make wine as a hobby. My life is full, and I love it.”

• HSE-funded, the asthma advice line aims to improve the health of people with asthma, reduce unscheduled healthcare use, and empower patients by delivering comprehensive asthma
  education, self-management advice, and support.
• See: asthma.ie