 Diabetes Nurse Specialist
Helena Farrell
Diabetes Nurse Specialist
Graduated as a registered general nurse from Cork University Hospital in January 2000, where she began her working life as a staff nurse in a general medical ward in the CUH, which specialised in diabetes. During her time on this ward, Helena gained many qualifications in lifestyle management such as nutritional therapy, addiction studies, psychotherapy to name a few. After five years on the Diabetes ward she transferred to the Diabetes Day Care Centre in the CUH where she worked as a Nurse Educator, gaining experience on the many aspects of diabetes education. She also spent six months of her time on this unit, developing the Endocrine service as well. In September 2006, Helena left the CUH after ten years, to take a career break.
During this time she was approached by Dr. Sheila O’Sullivan, Consultant Physician, to establish a private diabetes service in Shanakiel Hospital, Cork, which has gone from strength to strength and is now based from Langford Hall Medical Centre in Cork. Helena continues to see diabetic inpatients in Shanakiel Hospital, not only for Dr. Sheila O’Sullivan, but Dr. Howel Walsh, Consultant Physician as well. In July 2009, Diabetes Insight was born from this service and is now developing a secondary service from the Living Health Clinic in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.
The Living Health Clinic is a GP led primary health care facility, and its new diabetes service will be the first of its kind for Munster and beyond. Helena has also provided freelance services to many different pharmaceutical companies specialising in diabetes care over the years. Helena is also a committee member of the Southern Branch of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland and works with them in promoting diabetes through events such as workplace/pharmacy screenings and public information events. In her spare time she likes reading, writing and also running, participating in many marathons. Helena uses these events in conjunction with her husband, John Hurley (who manages Fitness Insight) to promote exercise as part of the lifestyle management of diabetes. Helena is currently studying towards a Masters in Diabetes Care. |
