Helen McHale, Registered Nurse

Professional Experience

Since qualifying as an Adult Nurse in 2004, I have developed extensive clinical expertise, primarily within emergency and urgent care settings. As an Emergency Care Advanced Clinical Practitioner (EC-ACP), I work autonomously across all areas of the Emergency Department, including resuscitation, majors, minors, and urgent care. My practice focuses on adult patients, though I also assess and treat paediatric cases within the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).

My clinical responsibilities include advanced assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prescribing. I am proficient in interpreting diagnostic investigations such as blood tests and radiology, and skilled in procedures including wound closure, joint manipulation and reduction, plastering, splinting, and administration of local anaesthesia and ring blocks. I have also held operational leadership roles, including that of Sister, where I managed care for critically ill patients and major trauma cases, oversaw departmental flow, supported junior clinicians in decision-making, and contributed to senior nursing governance.

Professional Development

I hold an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice and am an accredited Advanced Practitioner with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. My training includes registrar-level development, equipping me with high-level clinical decision-making and leadership capabilities. I have completed Advanced Life Support (ALS) with a recommendation to instruct via the General Instructors Council (GIC), as well as Paediatric Intermediate Life Support (PILS), European Trauma Course (ETC), and specialist training in thoracotomy and major haemorrhage management.

I actively contribute to multidisciplinary education, delivering teaching to medical and nursing students, junior doctors, nurses, and trainee practitioners. My role includes clinical supervision, mentoring, and supporting the development of advanced practice roles within emergency care.