Irene Buaful

Highly experienced and clinically accomplished Registered Adult Nurse with over 18 years of nursing experience across acute hospital settings, community services, primary care, care homes, complex neurological care, rehabilitation, prison healthcare and residential services. Proven track record of providing strong clinical leadership, delivering high-quality patient-centred care, and driving continuous improvements in clinical practice, governance and patient safety. Currently employed as a Clinical Lead Nurse supporting adults with complex neurological conditions, severe physical disabilities, dementia, rehabilitation needs, tracheostomy care requirements and end-of-life care needs.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in clinical assessment, care planning, risk management, medication management, safeguarding, infection prevention and control, clinical auditing and multidisciplinary team coordination. Experienced in leading nursing teams, managing clinical risk, overseeing quality assurance programmes and ensuring compliance with CQC regulations, NMC Code, Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), safeguarding legislation and national best practice standards. A qualified Practice Educator and Professional Nurse Advocate with significant experience developing staff competence, delivering clinical education programmes, conducting restorative clinical supervision and supporting workforce development across healthcare settings.

Passionate about promoting evidence-based practice, clinical excellence, patient safety and positive clinical outcomes.

Clinical Lead Nurse at Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (British Home and Hospital for Incurables) (Present)

Provide clinical leadership within a specialist neuro-disability service supporting adults with highly complex physical, neurological and cognitive healthcare needs.

• Lead the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred nursing care for residents with complex neurological conditions, severe disabilities, dementia and rehabilitation needs.
• Undertake comprehensive nursing assessments and formulate evidence-based care plans.
• Provide expert clinical decision-making and escalation of deteriorating residents using NEWS2 and clinical judgement.
• Lead on complex care interventions including tracheostomy care, catheter management, bladder washouts and specialist wound care.
• Monitor clinical outcomes and ensure care delivery is aligned with best practice guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee medication management, medicines optimisation and medication audits to ensure safe prescribing and administration practices.
• Conduct regular clinical audits including infection prevention and control, care planning, pressure ulcer prevention, falls management and medication governance.
• Provide leadership during emergency situations, coordinating rapid responses and ensuring timely escalation to acute services when required.
• Lead safeguarding investigations and ensure compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Support implementation of Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) frameworks.
• Supervise, mentor and develop nursing staff, healthcare assistants and students.
• Conduct competency assessments, clinical supervision, appraisals and performance reviews.
• Work collaboratively with consultants, therapists, GPs, pharmacists and wider multidisciplinary teams to optimise patient outcomes.
• Support clinical governance initiatives and quality improvement projects to improve patient safety and service delivery.

Community Liaison Nurse at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (2020-01 – 2025-01)

Provided advanced clinical support to care homes and community services to reduce hospital admissions and improve resident outcomes.

• Conducted advanced clinical assessments for frail elderly residents and patients with complex health conditions.
• Identified early signs of deterioration and implemented timely interventions to prevent avoidable hospital admissions.
• Led comprehensive care planning reviews and end-of-life care discussions.
• Supported care homes with complex case management and clinical decision-making.
• Delivered specialist clinical training to nursing and care staff.
• Facilitated multidisciplinary meetings and coordinated care across primary, secondary and social care services.
• Completed wound assessments, medication reviews and long-term condition monitoring.
• Ensured safe discharge planning and continuity of care following hospital admissions.
• Supported implementation of Restore2 and deterioration management pathways.

Clinical Lead / Practice Educator at BUPA Nursing Home Services (2016-01 – 2020-01)

Provided strategic and operational clinical leadership across multiple care home services.

• Led nursing teams to deliver safe, effective and responsive clinical care.
• Conducted clinical audits, governance reviews and quality assurance inspections.
• Monitored compliance with CQC regulations and organisational policies.
• Supported managers in maintaining safe staffing levels and workforce competency.
• Led investigations relating to incidents, safeguarding concerns and complaints.
• Delivered clinical training programmes covering: Medication management, Infection control, Safeguarding, End-of-life care, Falls prevention, Pressure ulcer prevention, Documentation and record keeping.
• Completed admission assessments and developed person-centred care plans.
• Liaised effectively with GPs, hospitals, therapists and external healthcare professionals.

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