Dr Frances Enright

Dr. Frances Enright

Consultant Paediatrician (Special Interest in Community Child Health)

Qualifications

• MB BCh BAO, University College Dublin, 1992 (Honours in Paediatrics)

• MRCP Paediatrics, 1996

• FRCP, 2006

• Diploma in Neurodisability, Hallam University Sheffield, 2004-2006

• Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS), renewed every 4 years

• Child Protection Recognition and Response Instructor, 2010-2022

Professional Experience

• 1998–2004: Consultant Paediatrician

  • Enable Ireland Tallaght & Newbridge

  • AMNCH Tallaght (General Paediatrics)

  • Children’s Sunshine Home (now Laura Lynn)

• 2004: Neonatal Registrar and member of the Neonatal Transport Team, National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street

• 2005–2010: Consultant Paediatrician, Wexford General Hospital

  • Covered general paediatrics, neonates, and early intervention teams (1:3 rota with one paediatric registrar)

• 2010–2025: Consultant Paediatrician, Mercy University Hospital (MUH)

  • General paediatrics on-call (1:3 rota) and participation in the Pan-City Paediatric On-Call rota

  • Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) assessments (2010-2022) at the Family Centre (1:2 rota)

• 2025–Present: Consultant Paediatrician, Cork University Hospital (CUH)

  • 50% General Paediatrics: On-call and on-take duties at CUH

  • 50% Community Child Health: Clinics and consultations for children with developmental delays and disabilities

  • Weekly MUH clinic relocating to South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SMOH) under CUH governance (April 2025)

Community Child Health Involvement

• Collaborates with North Cork and North Lee Senior Medical Officers to assess and manage developmental delays

• Provides medical consultation to five Childhood Disability Network Teams (CDNTs):

  • North Lee (Cope Foundation):

    • CDNT 6: Siobhan Hooley (HooleyS@cope-foundation.ie), Mauryn Iheanachom (Iheanachom@cope-foundation.ie)

    • CDNT 8: Mauryn Iheanachom (Iheanachom@cope-foundation.ie), Kelly Brady (BradyK@cope-foundation.ie)

    • CDNT 9: Fiona Widdowson (WiddowsonF@cope-foundation.ie)

  • North Cork (St Joseph’s Foundation):

    • CDNT 4: Bernadette Bryan (Bryan@sjf.ie)

    • CDNT 5: Eileen Fitzgerald (EileenFitzgerald@sjf.ie)

• Conducts monthly clinics at each CDNT location

Special Clinics & Services

• Spasticity Management Clinics (in collaboration with Enable Ireland):

  • Manages children from Cork and Kerry referred by community physiotherapists

  • Key Contacts:

    • Gillian O’Dwyer, Senior Physiotherapist (godwyer@enableireland.ie)

    • Julie Browne, Senior Occupational Therapist (juliebrowne@enableireland.ie)

• Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Service:

  • Provides monthly Botox injections for children with spasticity affecting upper and lower limbs

  • Utilizes ultrasound guidance with sedation or general anaesthetic

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist: Niamh Lynch (Niamhm.lynch@hse.ie)

  • Administrator: Gabriella Nagy (Gabriella.Nagy@hse.ie)

  • No private rooms or private clinic facilities available

Mentorship & Leadership

• Mentored by Dr. Sheila Macken, Temple Street Children's University Hospital

• Experienced in leading child protection education and early intervention initiatives