NAHB Journal (Autumn 2004) (2.31 MB)

Item Type Report

Authors Northern Area Health Board (NAHB)

Rights Northern Area Health Board

Download date 30/09/2021 20:30:43

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10147/44059

Find this and similar works at - http://www.lenus.ie/hse Autumn 2004 Volume 1 Issue 11

Foundation Stone laid for new €10m Older Persons project in Hartstown Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, Noel Ahern T.D., laid the Foundation Stone for a new FOLD Ireland €10 million "Housing-with-Care" Centre for older persons at Cherryfield Lawn, Hartstown during September.

The event was also attended supported living based on each This service offers an additional by the Minister for Children resident having his or her "own support both to the Older Brian Lenihan, FOLD Ireland front door" while also having Person and to their families. Chairman Jim Kelly, access to 24 hour care staff and Cathaoirleach of Fingal Co. assistive technology to cater to In both Day Centres a Council Cllr. Peter Coyle and his or her individual needs. programme of therapeutic Maureen Windle, Chief Executive activities will be available and of the NAHB. There are two Day Care Centres will incorporate various social in addition to the residential and personal care services The NAHB in partnership with care being provided on site. including exercise and Department of the Environment, One will cater for the needs nutritional advice. Fingal County Council and of frail elderly people who FOLD Ireland jointly funded require additional assistance A new Primary Health Care Unit the development, which is the to support them to remain living will also be built on site by our first of it’s kind in the Republic at home and indeed to support Board; this Unit will facilitate of Ireland. their families. the provision of a full range of At the laying of the Foundation Stone for the "Hartstown Housing With Care primary and community Development" were (l-r): Cllr. Peter Coyle, Cathaoirleach, Fingal Co. Co.; Noel Ahern, The Hartstown scheme is a The second will provide day care services to the community and T.D., Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal; Maureen Windle, Chief Executive, Northern Area Health Board; Brian Lenihan, Minister for Children and Jim Kelly, unique model of community for older people with dementia also to the FOLD community. Chairman, FOLD Ireland. residences. The 58 unit who are being cared for in their Full story page 3 residential facility will offer homes or who are living alone.

Public Service Excellence Award for NAHB Initiative

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern T.D. on July 8, 2004. The award was List Initiative was displayed presented a Public Service made to the NAHB Speech and at Dublin Castle after being Excellence Award to Noreen Language Therapy Service in selected as one of 20 top Murphy, Principal Speech & recognition of the success of a projects invited to participate Language Therapist, Community special initiative to reduce at the National Showcase for Care Area 6, Northern Area waiting times. Public Service Excellence Health Board at the National held there. Showcase for Public Service Information about the NAHB Full story page 5 Excellence held in Dublin Castle Speech and Language Waiting

Inside this issue...

2. St. Joseph’s Hospital merged 5. NAHB Speech and Language 9. Health Promotion 13. Films Top 5. 17. Leaving Care Policy for with Beaumont Hospital. Therapy Waiting Times Reduced. Strategy Launch. Influenza Vaccination Campaign. Eastern Region. 3. New FOLD Project for Birthday Celebrations. Le Cheile Project. 14. Breastfeeding. 18/19. Foster Care. Older Persons. 6/7. Migrant Friendly Hospital Project. 10/11. Travellers Primary Lusk Community Unit Fair. 20.Tommy Monaghan Retirement. 4. Primary Care Progress Report. 8. Quality Assurance Standard in RT. Healthcare Programme. 15. Chernobyl Children's Project. The Millbank Theatre. NAHB website. Exercise Chair. 12. Dr. Nicell Retirement. 16. Child Care Service Initiatives. Competition. Jumelage.

nahb journal | 1 St. Joseph’s Hospital merged with Beaumont Hospital

Responsibility for the Under the new arrangements rehabilitation unit for care of management of St. Joseph’s St. Joseph’s has been integrated the elderly, developed jointly by Hospital, Raheny, was with Beaumont and services will the NAHB and Beaumont, will transferred from the NAHB be provided there by existing cater for patients who have to Beaumont Hospital Beaumont consultants. It is also completed the acute phase of Hartstown Centre: Front view Main entrance Ariel view during August. envisaged that a number of their recovery but who still additional consultant posts will require additional rehabilitation Pictured at the announcement to staff of the new arrangements for the management The move followed a review of St. Joseph's Hospital are (l-r): Michael Walsh, D-CEO, NAHB; Tara McCormack, be created to provide services before returning to their homes. former Hospital Administrator, St. Joseph's Hospital; Noel Mulvihill, ACE, NAHB; of services at St. Joseph’s on both sites. Fionnuala Duffy, Senior Commissioner, ERHA and Liam Duffy, Chief Executive, New €10m project for older persons in Hartstown Hospital, carried out by the In addition, the ERHA has Beaumont Hospital. NAHB, which proposed that the Beaumont Hospital will provide indicated that it also intends to optimum utilisation of services day surgery, five day surgery develop a range of community Joseph’s will also greatly benefit Mr. Walsh thanked all the staff The Foundation Stone was laid for a new FOLD Ireland €10 million "Housing-with-Care" Centre for older at the hospital could be best and a range of medical and primary care health from an association with an at St. Joseph’s and colleagues addressed through an alignment assessment and investigations services on the Raheny site over academic teaching hospital. in Beaumont Hospital for their persons at Cherryfield Lawn, Hartstown during September by Mr. Noel Ahern T.D., Minister for Housing and with Beaumont. at St. Joseph’s. A new the coming years. St. Joseph’s support and co-operation Urban Renewal. Hospital was purchased by the "The benefits include increased during the transition. He said ERHA in September 2001 and access to diagnostic and other particular thanks were due Over the past number of years homes," said Eileen Askham, privacy, dignity, choice, rights, managed by the NAHB until specialist facilities with more to the link persons between the NAHB and the Department Director of Care Services independence, fulfilment, August 2004. specialist work being carried out the two hospitals, Margaret of Health and Children have of FOLD Ireland. security, respect & equality. at St. Joseph’s. In addition Swords, Elaine Keane and Welcoming the development economies of scale will be been pioneering models of Martin McCormack. The concept combines good The development differs from during a special address to staff realised in service delivery. service for Older Persons. housing with responsive, sheltered housing in that it is with staff Michael Walsh, NAHB Staff at St. Joseph’s were also The main thrust of these flexible house keeping & designed to meet the varying Deputy Chief Executive, said: "It is my view that the future of addressed by Liam Duffy, Chief initiatives has been to provide personal care services. needs of frail older people who "I am confident that this St. Joseph’s is best positioned Executive of Beaumont Hospital, flexible arrangements to Housing-with-Care schemes need more support than is development will ensure through an alignment with a former St. Joseph’s Hospital support people in their own provide accommodation, generally available within maximisation of service larger acute hospital. This Administrator Tara McCormack homes and in their communities care and support services normal retirement. Staff are capacity at St. Joseph’s and alignment offers many and Fionnuala Duffy, Senior for as long as possible. within a domestic type setting available 24 hours daily to assist in the provision of an advantages for clinicians, Commissioner, ERHA. FOLD Ireland is leading the that enables individuals to provide assistance with all improved public health service nursing staff and para-medical project in association with the maintain their daily living personal care requirements. Tara McCormack, former Hospital Administrator, St. Joseph's Hospital, receiving a to the local community. St. services, as well as other bouquet of flowers from Liam Duffy, Chief Executive, Beaumont Hospital. economic benefits." NAHB & Fingal Co. Council. skills & continue with their FOLD Ireland is a voluntary chosen lifestyles. Peter Coyle, Cathaoirleach, Attending the laying of the Foundation Stone at" Hartstown Housing With Care" were housing association supported Fingal County Council welcomed Maureen Windle, Chief Executive the proposal, citing it as (l-r): Senator Sheila Terry, Alan Carthy, Director of Housing, Fingal County Council; by its sister organisation in the Cllr. Michael O'Donovan, Maureen Windle, Chief Executive, NAHB; Cllr. Peter Coyle, North of Ireland, Fold Housing of the NAHB said: "The another example of innovative Cathaoirleach, Fingal Co. Co.; Noel Ahern, T.D., Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal; Brian Lenihan, TD, Minister for Children; Eileen Askham, Director of Care, Association. Fold Housing Northern Area Health Board projects, emerging from the FOLD Ireland; Jim Kelly, Chairman, FOLD Ireland and Cllr. Deirdre Heney. Association provides FOLD is providing a unique facility links forged between the Ireland with expertise developed through an Council & the NAHB. deriving from almost 30 years integrated model of care. Brian Coulter, Chief Executive of experience in the design, The model is based on Fold Northern Ireland, building & management of collaborative arrangements and commended the Northern Area supported housing schemes & a joint approach to care of the “A SERVICE WITHIN A SERVICE” Health Board & Fingal County associated services which have Older Person which are Council for their foresighted & attracted acclaim throughout hallmarks of the initiative" The in-house printing service for the generous approach to the the UK & beyond. EASTERN Such schemes place an benefits of partnership that EAST COAST AREA REGIONAL emphasis on providing frail have enabled them to combine HEALTH BOARD HEALTH This development, the first of older people with a home of forces with the not-for-profit Board Sláinte Limistéar an Chósta Thoir AUTHORITY its kind in Ireland, will see the construction of a 58 unit their own and then tailoring sector i.e. FOLD Ireland to residential facility & two Day the care services to meet the produce the excellent range of Offering a total package from A-Z, controlling all steps of the print process under one roof. Care Centres for older persons needs of the individual. The services which FOLD’s Design: highly creative team of graphic designers. & people with dementia. concept of having "your own Hartstown scheme will provide. front door" within a residential In addition, this project, bringing Print: single colour Items, duplicate/triplicate books, health board "This development will bridge care setting enables staff to together housing & health stationery, full colour leaflets, brochures and magazines. the gap between housing, care provide personal care that is services to provide a holistic Staff from NAHB, Fingal Co. Co. and FOLD Joint Steering Group members are & support for older people & discreet, sensitive & appropriate solution to the needs of frail pictured with Minister Brian Lenihan and Minister Noel Ahern, T.D., who laid the • PRODUCING TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS • OFFERING VALUE FOR MONEY AT ALL TIMES • DELIVERY SERVICE • foundation stone for the "Hartstown, Housing With Care Development". offers a real alternative to to the needs of the individual elderly people, is an excellent Unit 13, Westlink Industrial Estate, Kylemore Road, Dublin 10 Tel: (01) 626 3447/626 6726 Fax: 626 3159 email: [email protected] traditional modes of care such whilst at the same time illustration of the benefits of as nursing or residential adhering to the core values of cross-border cooperation.

nahb journal | 2 nahb journal | 3 Minister Martin Launches Primary NAHB Speech and Language Therapy Care Progress Report Waiting Times Reduced by up to 80%

Micheál Martin T.D., Minister for Health and Children, launched a An NAHB initiative, which resulted in waiting times for Progress Report on implementation of the Primary Care Strategy, Speech and Language Therapy in north Dublin being reduced Primary Care: A New Direction during July. The Report was by up to 80 per cent, recently received a special award from produced by the Primary Care Steering Group and provides An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern T.D. during July. an overview of progress since the publication of the Strategy Information about the NAHB "We introduced an Australian She said that, for example, Speech and Language Waiting Model of service delivery in the average waiting time Maureen Windle, Chief Executive, Northern Area Health Board and Gerry Hanley, in November 2001. Primary Care Manager join Speech & Language Therapy staff at Dublin Castle for the List Initiative was displayed January 2003 and by the end for assessment in Community National Showcase for Public Service Excellence. The Minister established the Thanking the Group for its The Minister also commended "These implementation provision of modern, well- at Dublin Castle after being of that year the waiting times Care Area Six (Dublin North selected as one of 20 top for assessment for therapy West) was reduced from six Steering Group in June 2002 work to date, the Minister said: the general practitioners and projects are one of the first equipped user-friendly service provider and the Kilbarrack, Coolock, Swords, projects invited to participate were down by up to 75 per months to between six and to provide national leadership "The Steering Group has other primary care steps towards making buildings from which the broad service user," said Ms. Murphy. Lusk, Finglas, Blanchardstown, at the National Showcase for cent while waiting times for eight weeks. and guidance in the worked effectively to produce professionals whom, he said, multidisciplinary primary care range of primary care services Mulhuddart, Drumcondra, implementation of the Primary several worthwhile inputs to have worked to ensure the system-wide and the learning can be delivered". Public Service Excellence therapy were reduced by up "Parents and caregivers have In the same area the average Ballymun and Lisburn Street Care Strategy. The Group, the continuing development successful establishment of the from them will inform further held at Dublin Castle. to 80 per cent, " said Noreen become active participants waiting time for therapy was and North Clarence Street. chaired by Professor Ivan and implementation of first ten primary care teams, implementation, particularly in The Minister also indicated his Murphy, Principal Speech in the Speech and Language reduced from 20 months to Perry, Department of the integrated and which he approved in 2002. the context of the Health intention to explore different & Language Therapist. Therapy process and this The NAHB Speech and four months. Epidemiology and Public multidisciplinary model Service Reform Programme," ways of implementing the significantly improves Language Therapy Service "A number of these teams are interdisciplinary model of Health, UCC, includes broad of primary care." he added. Substantial reductions carryover and outcome. is delivered through clinic- now providing new and primary care, including representation from the in waiting times were also Initial feedback from parents based services and an The Minister reiterated the improved services to their Referring to the need to consideration of whether medical, nursing, health and achieved in Community has been extremely positive. outreach service to preschools Government's commitment to target populations and we are provide new primary care primary care teams might be social care professions, Care Areas Seven (Dublin and schools. This is a primary the full implementation of the starting to see the benefits for centres, the Minister said: "In set up as separate functional "The flexibility in structure community and voluntary pillar North Central) and Eight care service offering timely Primary Care Strategy and both patients and service the course of implementing the entities, with appropriate legal and timetabling of sessions and service users, statutory (Dublin North). assessment, early agencies and service providers. said that it would guide providers that were envisaged strategy, we intend to examine and contractual arrangements allows parents to choose intervention, health promotion decision-making on at the outset of the strategy", a range of approaches to to govern the service they "Adopting the Australian the timing of intervention and onward referral to other service development on said the Minister. developing service delivery and would provide. Model of service delivery most appropriate to their services when appropriate. a long-term basis. to encourage and facilitate the allowed us to reduce waiting individual situations." times without affecting the The National Showcase The new model has been quality of the service provided for Public Service Excellence implemented across 11 and to develop a partnership was hosted by the Community Speech and with parents and caregivers. Departments of An Taoiseach Language Therapy Centres to A key element of the new and Finance to highlight Access Health Reform and services Maureen Windle, Chief Executive, Northern Area Health Board presenting a Public meet the needs of children model is the shared examples of public service Service Excellence Award to Noreen Murphy, Principal Speech & Language and young people. The Therapist, Community Care Area 6, NAHB at the National Showcase for Public responsibility between the excellence and innovation. information on the NAHB’s website Service Excellence held in Dublin Castle on July 8, 2004. Centres are based in

A website developed by the NAHB provides access to information about the government’s health reform programme Birthday Celebrations on St. Clement’s Ward in addition to giving details on services provided by the health board. The website is live at www.nahb.ie

At the end of the current site will migrate to a new access to a news archive. NAHB Website homepage year existing health boards, national Health Portal and/or Click on the Health Centres Within the site’s Community Community Welfare, Disability, currently under the control other electronic information box for information on each Care section there is a full list Environmental Health, of their Chief Executives, structures, which will come health centre or on the of GMS GP’s in the Board’s Health Promotion, Mental will be abolished and a new about as part of the Health Jobs box to link to area and their contact details. Health, Older Persons and Health Service Executive (HSE) Reform process. recruitment information. There are also information Primary Care. will take over the management sections about the following The NAHB site has a You will also easily find and delivery of the health services: Acute Hospital, The Links section provides comprehensive Directory of information on the Home services as a single national Addiction, Ambulance, access to other websites Services and a colour map Page about Customer Services, entity from January 1, 2005. Cancer and Palliative Care, established by the other health featuring the three Community Complaints and Appeals and Cardiovascular Strategy, boards, voluntary hospitals Later in the year it is intended Care Areas. On the Home Page Freedom of Information. Birthday celebrations on St. Clement’s Ward of St. Mary's Hospital took place for Eileen Richardson who was 108 years Eileen Richardson pictured with her family, Bill, Terry, Paddy, Anne. Eileen is a Children and Families, and voluntary agencies. that information on the NAHB you will find Board news and of age recently. Pictured with Eileen on her birthday are staff members of St. Clements. Back row (l-r): May Maher, Juliet native of Limerick, but later moved to Ballybough and Cabra West to live. She was Tennyson, Anne Chukwura, Judith Diamla, Margaret Phelan, Joeren Rescate. Front row (l-r): Aby Ekeoma, Amita Jyee Songeo, born in 1896, one of five girls and two boys whom she helped to raise. Eileen worked Eileen Richardson. in Temple Press Printers until the age of 73.

nahb journal | 4 nahb journal | 5 Migrant Friendly Hospital Project - James Connolly Memorial Hospital

By Angela Hughes

The Migrant Friendly Hospital called for pilot hospital Needs Assessment: interpretation in clinical range of languages utilised is (MFH) project is a European applications. communication; too varied. Therefore SPA group A very comprehensive Needs Funded Initiative to promote decided to focus on improving Assessment Kit was provided by • Sub project B: culturally health and health literacy for In 2002 background research our working processes with in JCM Hospital revealed that The LBI, which provided a range linguistically adequate migrant patients and ethnic Professional Interpreters At the closing meeting of Migrant Friendly Hospitals in the Mont Delegates took the opportunity to meet with their counterparts Delegates met at the Mont Clare Hotel to attend the Closing Meeting of options for conducting the information and education in minorities. There are 12 17% of our admissions were through an outside agency. Clare Hotel were (l-r): Tom Gorey, Hospital Manager, JCMH; during the Closing Meeting. Pictured (l-r): Alex Horsfall, Bradford; of Migrant Friendly Hospitals. There were delegates from all over from countries other than needs assessment in each mother and child care; Prof. Peliken, Speaker; Angela Hughes, Patient Services JCMH; Antonio Salceda, Spain and Karoline Kandel, Austria. Europe and America in attendance. hospitals participating across Fiona McDaid, Deputy Focal Person, CNM3, Emergency Dept., JCMH Ireland or Britain. Therefore organisation. The MFH Steering Europe and James Connolly • Sub project C: improving The aim of Sub project and Antoinette Malone, Nurse Practice Development Office, JCMH. our application to participate Committee chose a combination Memorial Hospital is the cultural competence: training A was to: of methods to ascertain the representative for Ireland. There in the European project hospital staff for providing project A group decided to midpoint and on completion of The LBI presented a The Cultural Competence The final results and project needs of staff and patients. For • Increase the number of are also three observer status appeared relevant, timely cross-cultural health care. develop a Resource File for each the project on July 9, 2004. 10-hour Staff training Training Programme for staff recommendations will be staff, in-depth interviews with encounters provided with hospitals in Ireland, Our Lady and was well supported by participating department; to programme broadly was provided in four modules available at the final conference heads of departments who had As there are no maternity assistance of a medical • Sub project A was evaluated of Lourdes, Drogheda, Galway Hospital Management. raise staff awareness of how to from February 18 until April 8, of the European project frequent contact with Migrant services in JCMH, participation interpreter; using both pre and post covering three areas: University Hospital and the access the interpreting service 2004. Two programmes were "Hospitals in a culturally diverse Background work on the project Patients was selected and also in Sub project B was not and also to provide staff and intervention evaluation. • Awareness; provided to facilitate the Europe" Amsterdam, December Midland Regional Hospital • To decrease the use of ad hoc began with the establishment of interviews with two staff feasible, therefore, the MFH patients a resource to assist in participating depts workload. 9-11, 2004. at Mullingar. interpreters (family members, Pre-intervention • Knowledge; the MFH Steering committee. members who provide services Steering Committee decided to brief interactions. friends, other patients, non- evaluation: The project is co-ordinated by There is wide multidisciplinary to migrant patients in their daily participate in Sub project A and • Skills. Twenty two staff from the four Next Steps: qualified staff); the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute and cross cultural routine, namely one nurse and Sub project C. The Resource File 160 pre-intervention model departments commenced Four models depts were • We plan to extend both Sub (LBI) for the Sociology of Health representation on this one medical staff member. • To improve the timely comprised of: questionnaires were the staff cultural competence- selected as pilot sites for SP C: project A and Sub project C to and Medicine, which is based in committee with involvement Sub Project A (SP A): delivery of interpreting disseminated to staff in training programme. Eleven departments were • Guidelines for staff to access Cardiac Diagnostics, X-Ray all departments throughout Vienna and the European from the Social Work Dept, Improving Interpretation in services due to an increase in participating depts and 106 chosen for the needs the interpreting service; Department, Cypress Ward and Evaluation: JCM Hospital; Commission provides funding Clerical Staff, Patients Services Clinical Communication: the number of qualified questionnaires returned. assessment and participated the Vascular Department. for European meetings and the Officer, Consultant from The medical interpreters, better • Staff evaluation forms to Completed questionnaires were • Sub Project C evaluation was • We plan to develop national Emergency Dept, Emergency successfully. Sub project group A was co-ordinating centre in Vienna. access to services, assess the effectiveness and placed in sealed envelopes and Due to the sensitive nature of conducted using both pre and recommendations to Dept Nursing Co-ordinator, established with multi- Local implementation of this improvement to the current quality of the interpreter; sent to LBI for analysis, results the subject we needed a trainer post training questionnaires. implement the MFH in an Irish The steering committee disciplinary representation from Nursing Representatives from services offered or better were fed back to each individual context based on the project is integrated into staff’s chose to conduct in-depth • Confidentiality forms for working outside the hospital but acute ward areas, Catering Dept, the main Migrant Friendly Pre Training Evaluation was existing workload; its success co-ordination with hospital and also used in the within our health board. We experiences of JCMH as the interviews with 5 experienced Hospital Steering committee interpreters to sign which are Clinical Placement Co-ordinator, outside agencies. overall European analysis carried out at the beginning pilot hospital for Ireland and depended upon staff co- Migrant Patients in eliciting placed in Patients chart; were very fortunate to identify Human Resources Dept and and representatives from of module one. Twenty two operation and support. The Mr. P.J. Boyle, who works half the experiences of the their opinions. participating depts. The implementation of SPA Post intervention questionnaires Health Promotion. • Point to talk sheets for staff completed questionnaires, Observer Status Hospitals; timeframe for this project is a commenced in January 2004. time in the Refugee and Asylum staff in three languages were disseminated to staff on which were placed in sealed two and a half year period. The Needs Assessment Four 4 models depts were Seeker health screening centre Staff Awareness: (each phrase is written in completion of the envelopes and sent to LBI for • We are currently collaborating selected as pilot sites for To optimise processes in and the remaining half of his identified the following as English and copied in another implementation phase, Friday, analysis. Post questionnaires with the Irish National Health Aim & Objectives: The Steering Committee felt the SP A- The Emergency existing interpreting services work as a cultural competence issues for both staff language underneath); July 9, 2004 using the same were disseminated on Promoting Hospitals Network, that to ensure success of Dept, Patients Accounts, Out- the SPA Group decided to: trainer in the Board. The aim of this project is to and patients: method as the pre completion of the 10-hour our Italian counterparts and the overall project and staff Patients Dept, and the Diabetic Assess the quality of the • Point to talk sheets for identify, develop and evaluate questionnaires, 61 Several meetings with the training programme and the LBI in establishing a participation, the MFH project • Language/communication Day Centre. interpreting services used in patients in 19 languages models of good practice in the questionnaires were returned. cultural competence trainer analysis was conducted in European Taskforce on required an identity and thus barriers; JCMH therefore the Focal participating member states of • Pictographs with text in were held to identify the course the same manner. Interim Migrant Friendly Hospitals; specific information leaflets The LBI presented various person and the Deputy Focal Initial review of the interim the EU. More specifically the • Lack of timely access to 11 languages; content using the template results were presented at were developed for staff and strategies to achieve the Person conducted interviews results indicate that the • The MFH project will be objectives are to promote the translators; provided by external project the Closing Meeting during for patients. with both agencies providing • The JCMH Resource file implementation of the resource health and health related aim of SP A: September 2004. presented at the National interpreting services in JCMH. expert Mr. Bob Like from the knowledge and competence of • Cultural barriers. was accompanied by file was successful in achieving Health Promoting Hospitals The first task for the steering United States. • The development of in-house The purpose of the interview ‘Access Ireland’ Intercultural the aim of Sub project A. migrants and ethnic minorities Simultaneously, the Swiss Results: conference in Enniskillen, Oct committee was to complete a employee language bank; was to review the Professional and to improve hospital services Resource file on each 19–20, 2004; Federation for the study of Overall the baseline and Mid- baseline overall organisational Interpreting agency’s participating dept. Sub Project C (SP C): Brief needs assessment for these patient groups. Migration conducted a literature • The employment of questionnaire called the Migrant recruitment procedures, in the model depts point MFQQ highlighted that • The project will also be review of models of good professional interpreters The Mass General (Boston) Improving Cultural Friendly Quality Questionnaire screening of interpreters, was carried out to JCMH is on a par with our presented at the Derek Rationale: practice in promoting health in JCMH; website proved to be a great Competence: Training (MFQQ) to assess the level of language proficiency testing, European counterparts in the Dockery awards ceremony and health literacy of migrant help in the development of the Hospital Staff for facilitate decision Ireland as a multicultural society migrant friendly culture, • Contracting interpreters training provided, level of services, processes in Stewarts Hospital, patients. The LBI then carried resource file. making concerning: is a very recent phenomenon structures and processes in through an outside agency. code of conduct and providing Cross-Cultural and structures in place October 21, 2004. out a European cross analysis of developing over the last 5-10 operation. The results of the confidentiality contracts. Health Care. • The specific problems of towards a Migrant Friendly all needs assessments from SP A group considered all Evaluation: years. James Connolly Memorial MFQQ were fed back to staff that the training Hospital culture. For further information on the each partner hospital. options, the development of an Sub group C was established Hospital serves a catchment the LBI in Vienna and One agency proved to provide All evaluation tools were should address; Migrant Friendly Hospital in-house language bank was not with multidisciplinary The interim results of the both population of 264,000 people compared in a matrix with our a higher standard quality provided and analysed by the project or the Final Conference possible as the resources to representation from the main • The scope, design and content sub projects and the overall in north west Dublin, which European partners. The LBI identified three service and therefore in LBI for benchmarking purposes. of the European project " develop, co-ordinate and steering committee, Health of the training and the organisational assessment were has been identified as one of areas of intervention based conjunction with the Finance The overall impact of the Hospitals in a culturally diverse maintain the register of in- Promotion Dept in NAHB, expertise required from the available at the Closing the fastest growing regions The next step for the Migrant on the cross analysis and Department, it was decided to project was assessed using the Europe", please contact the Friendly Steering Committee house interpreters was not community partners BARN & CC Trainer; Meeting in Dublin during in Europe. The Irish National the review of models of work with one agency only to Migrant Friendly Quality Health Promotion Office, James was to complete an assessment available. The employment of Cultural Competence Trainer September 2004. Health Promoting Hospitals ensure that the highest quality Questionnaire (MFQQ), which • Pre & Post Training Connolly Memorial Hospital of both staff and migrant best practice as follows: specific interpreters did not from the NAHB. Network announced the interpretation was available to was completed at baseline, at session evaluation. (01) 646 5193. meet the needs of JCMH as the European MFH Project and patients needs in JCMH. • Sub project A: improving our Patients and Staff. Sub

nahb journal | 6 nahb journal | 7 Quality Assurance Standard NAHB launches Health Promotion Strategy in Rehabilitation Training The NAHB launched a Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan for north Dublin city and county during July. The Strategy and Action Plan will combine previous work by the NAHB Health Promotion Service and advance The Rehabilitation Training Guidance Service (RTGS), health promotion provision in north Dublin city and county. was established in the Northern Area Health Board, in October 2001. A priority for the NAHB Health 5. Strengthening the capacity of Promotion Service is to ensure the Health Promotion Service it continues to be a key to deliver an efficient and The service comprises a The Quality Assurance Standard (Approved Programme, NAC Awards Presentation – 30th June 2004. NAHB funded Training Centres, received influence in health effective service. Coordinator, Guidance Officers, QA00/01 "Training and Individual Training Plans, Approved Centre/Centre of Excellence awards at Moran Red Cow Hotel. Back row (l-r): improvements in all aspects Frank Tracy, DOHC; Martin Quilty, A/Coordinator RTGS; Dave Owens, DOHC. An operational plan, which of the Board’s health and Administration staff. Development for People with Work Experience, Front row (l-r): Martina Ryan, Manager Castle View; Siobhan Buckley, Manager accompanies the Strategy Prosper Fingal; Gillian Farrelly, Manager CRC and Jane Watson, Manager NTDI Swords. service delivery. Similar sections were set up in Disabilities", was developed in Certification), Programme addresses the actions required all Health Boards, as a result of recent years. It is approved by Evaluation, and A principle goal of the Strategy to achieve the strategic the dis-establishment of the Dept. of Health and Children, Trainee Consultation. up support. Centres are also There are two award levels: is to enable the NAHB Health priorities outlined in the report. National Rehabilitation Board. for compliance by R.T. • Management: obliged to take part in an Promotion Service to work in RTGS provide support, through Training Centres that deliver • Approved Centre: Speaking at the launch of Centre/Organisation. independent accreditation partnership with all services to it’s guidance service, to people funded training programmes. 2 years duration. the Health Promotion Strategy Management, Training Staff, process. This involves a visit by improve the health of the with disabilities, in the areas It is also approved by FÁS, and Action Plan, Angela Support Staff, Recruitment 2 or 3 assessors, from National • Centre of Excellence: population in north Dublin. of training, employment for vocational training Kerrigan, Assistant Chief and Selection, Staff Training Accreditation Committee. The 4 years duration. and related services. programmes, funded by them Executive of the Northern and Development. assessment can take up to 3 Five strategic priorities in Specialist Training Centres. The difference in awards is Area Health Board said: days depending on the number The service administers the • Financial: Control and based on Quality System area. guide the work of the of trainees in the centre. funding for approximately The standard is accountability. Insurance. Health Promotion Service "Health Promotion is 300 rehabilitative training All activities of the Centre Dept. of Health and Children has comprehensive in the in this strategic plan: everybody’s business and is places. They are allocated • Quality System: Quality are looked at in relation to the indicated that these standards based on a growing body of range of areas it sets 1. Promoting and supporting Attending the launch of the Northern Area Health Board, Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan for north Dublin city and to fourteen training centres Manual, Internal Audits, standard. RTGS, gives support will be integrated into National evidence that proves health county were (l-r): Shay McGovern, Department of Health, Health Promotion Unit; Maria Lordan Dunphy, Director of Health Information Systems, Review, to Centres to prepare for healthy lifestyle choices. within NAHB area. Training out for compliance. Standards for Disability Services promotion both works and is Promotion Service (NAHB); Fiachra McGuirk, St. Helena's Family and Resource Centre; Angela Kerrigan, ACE, NAHB; Sian Caldwell, and Improvement Initiatives. assessment. An assessment Community Dietician, NAHB and Monica Shannon, Corduff Community Development Project. programmes are approved and • Policy: Trainee Rights, (NDA/DOHC Initiative), in due 2. Developing, maintaining cost-effective. In line with the report is sent to the centre. delivered. Regular meetings, Training conditions, Centre Training centres comply with course. The current and supporting effective national health promotion The majority of Centres have with Centre trainees, staff and Image, Health & Safety. this standard. Compliance is accreditation system will multi-sector partnerships strategy, this action plan been assessed, the remaining management takes place. monitored by, RTGS staff continue in the interim. The for promoting health encourages a holistic approach 2001, secured strong Health Promotion Service is Health promotion addresses • Service: Strategic Plan, Centres will have their annually. This involves a one NAC Secretariat will become the in the NAHB. to health in the NAHB. It sets progressive partnerships in the to work with all partners in the non-medical factors Programme Design, assessment visit shortly. day visit with report and follow- responsibility of DOHC in 2005. out key priorities for the health region and a number of the region. These partnerships influencing health. These 3. Supporting the integration of Programme Delivery, promotion service together with community representatives will continue to influence how factors include smoking, alcohol health promotion into service a plan as to how best these were present to launch the the health promotion service consumption, diet, nutrition delivery across all services for priorities may be approached." Strategy and Action Plan. effects positive change in the and exercise through to the the Board and all care groups. health of individuals and broader influences on health, Maria Lordan Dunphy, Director 4. Monitoring and evaluating The NAHB Health Promotion communities in the northern poverty, unemployment, Easy Exercise: A Chair Based Programme of Health Promotion in the the performance and Service has, since it’s area health board.” housing, education, living NAHB said, "The goal of the impact of health establishment in September and working conditions. Heartwatch is the Secondary and they have had 21,602 visits movement and would promotion interventions. Prevention Programme for with 503 clinical events. In the benefit from a chair based cardiovascular disease between Northern Area Health Board, exercise programme. the Health Boards, the Irish 750 patients have been College of General registered and 257 have had 3 An evidence-based resource Le Cheile Computer Project Practitioners and the complete visits. booklet that enables these Independent National Data adults to participate in an Centre. Patients who have had The aim of the physical activity exercise programme that is Children from Oldtown Primary The project is designed to "We have got a great reaction a myocardial infarction, component of the Heartwatch within their capabilities has School and adults from the increase the interaction of to the project from the local a coronary artery bypass graft programme is to encourage been produced. The chair- Clonmethan Lodge complex for residents of Clonmethan with community and from those It is hoped that this This booklet was written by or an angioplasty have been cardiovascular patients to based exercises in the booklet, the intellectually disabled have the local community through residents who are programme will have a positive Ailis Brosnan on behalf of the enrolled in this Programme become more active. Last although low-intensity, will still been taking computer lessons the medium of a computer participating. Parents and impact on participant’s health Health Promotion Service of since December 2002. There year, a booklet "Promoting help to mobilise sedentary together as part of an skills class. friends joined the class in and well being and therefore the NAHB and is presented in are 46 General Practitioners in Physical Activity for a Healthy people so that healthy activity innovative initiative called the an afternoon of celebration be health-promoting as well as an easy to follow manner, with The class was held for the the Northern Area Health Heart", was developed by the patterns are formed. Le Cheile Computer Project. on presentation of certificates The "Le Cheile" Computer Project Team included (l-r): Maria Byrne, Tutor, VEC; Alan disease preventing. The clear instructions and colourful first time this Spring and is Mockler, Daniel Monks, Keith Chapman, Nicky Fox, Declan Devine, David McCafferty, Board enrolled in the Health Promotion Service for Participating in these exercises in early July," booklet will be distributed diagrams. If you require Once a week a facilitator being repeated this Autumn. Charles Rooney and Marie Carpenter, Day Services Co-ordinator, Clonmethan. Heartwatch Programme across Heartwatch patients and the will help the ability of said Marie Carpenter of through GP practices that are further information on this has been introducing children The project got underway 29 different practices. feedback on the booklet has individuals with restricted Clonmethan Lodge. from sixth class and residents through the combined efforts been very positive. However, movement to carry out the registered with the Heartwatch programme, please contact experience to date and to go by EHSS who have supplied us of Clonmethan to computer of Day Services at Clonmethan, "We believe that this is a win- To date nationally, 9,080 further research indicated that everyday activities that programme and also to Eimear Foley on from strength to strength. with a number of computers," programmes such as the Co. Dublin VEC and win situation for all involved patients have been registered a portion of Heartwatch are essential to living services for older adults in (01) 882 3404. We have also been supported Marie added. in the Heartwatch Programme patients have restricted independently. the NAHB. Word and Excel. Co-operation Fingal. and we hope to build on our

nahb journal | 8 nahb journal | 9 NORTHSIDE TRAVELLERS PRIMARY HEALTHCARE PROGRAMME

Northside Travellers Primary Healthcare Programme (PHC) is Nutrition Resource Pack for a partnership between the Northern Area Health Board (NAHB) Travellers launched by NAHB and TravAct (Formerly Northside Travellers Support Group). A Steering Committee, comprising representatives from TravAct, and TravAct course participants and NAHB, direct and monitor the work of A Nutrition and Health Resource Pack, to be utilised by Traveller the three-year project. Health Workers in their own communities, was jointly launched by During 2001, the course participants moved into more To account for literacy difficulties, pictures of common Mary McDonagh, TravAct, Community Health Worker; Sian Calwell, the NAHB and TravAct, formerly the Northside Travellers specific training to enable them to become Community foods and food packaging were collected by all the Northern Area Health Board, Community Dietician and Mary Collins, TravAct, Community Health Worker at the launch of a Traveller Health Support Group, at the Darndle/Belcamp Centre during June. At the launch of the Nutrition and Health Resource Pack for Travellers were Health Workers. The long-term aim of the programme is participants to represent the foods they commonly buy and Nutrition Resource Pack for Travellers, a joint initiative between (back row, l-r): Margaret Campbell, NAHB; Mary Doheny, TravAct; Bridget Collins, to provide the participants with the knowledge, skills and consume. This was agreed by the participants as the NAHB and TravAct Primary Care Project. Fran Keys, Grainne Dowdall, TravAct, (front row, l-r): Nell McDonagh, Mary Ryan Rose, and opportunities to work actively as peer-led health being an effective and user-friendly method of Co-ordinator, TravAct and Margaret McDonagh. Community Health Workers in TravAct. Travellers have The Pack was developed as part health and promotes positive As part of the Programme five employees working in partnership with other health communication. These were laminated to preserve designed them for use as teaching tools in education of a Primary Healthcare health. We aim to develop Traveller women are working as service providers. them. The Arts & Crafts Tutor made further resources, sessions led by themselves or other health Programme for Travellers, a innovative and practical Community Health Workers including a felt food pyramid, to enhance education. three-year health promotion approaches to health promotion within the Traveller community, Through a local needs assessment, it was recognised by professionals for other Travellers. initiative between the health by incorporating a community having completed a three-year TravAct that there was a need to develop a culturally As the second phase of the pilot programme in Spring In addition, further resources were developed in the board and TravAct. development approach to health training programme. appropriate nutrition programme that can be delivered 2003, a slightly different approach was adopted to form of: promotion interventions, one as part of the Health Module during the PHC. accommodate and progress the project with the 5 Welcoming the launch of the that empowers communities Speaking following the launch women in the final year of the PHC. (a)Leaflets, as support materials for people to take the Pack, Angela Kerrigan, Assistant Paddy McDonagh of TravAct’s As a result, the Health Promotion Services in the to collectively improve information away from the educations sessions. Chief Executive, NAHB said Management Team said: "We Northern Area Health Board became engaged with The 5 trainee Community Health workers received their health. travellers have a role to play in congratulate the women on Travact. The initial aims of the work were: weekly sessions from the dietitian to: (b)A workbook, intended for use by other health promoting and supporting "The Traveller Primary Health their achievements during the professionals (Dietitians or Health Co-ordinators on healthy lifestyle choices. Care Programme is an last three years, and on this i)To develop a working partnership with the (i) Consolidate their knowledge; and the PHC) to plan a nutrition programme as part of Health Promotion Services (NAHB), and TravAct outstanding example of this piece of work, and look forward (ii) Progress the development of the resources to assist the health module. "As a healthcare provider we Coordinators and participants. where Traveller Groups provide to building on the partnership them in delivering health information around 7 areas The work was formally launched on the 23rd June are very supportive of the training to Travellers as peer we have formed with the health ii) To assist in the development and piloting of a of diet and health, to members of their local 2004 in the Darndale/Belcamp Village Centre. concept of re-orientating the health care educators who can board in the future." culturally appropriate and reproducible nutrition community. It was to celebrate the working progress of this pilot health services from a curative meet the specific needs of their Maggie McDonagh, Mary Collins, Mary McDonagh, Kathleen Ward and Nell McDonagh awareness module with appropriate resources for who trained as Community Health Workers within their community. This was in preparation of their roles as Community project, which will be formally evaluated by the Health focus to one that prevents ill own community." use by health professionals/dieticians as part of Health Workers. Promotion Services in the NAHB later this year. the health module of the Traveller Primary Healthcare Programmes. In support of community development, the process of It is anticipated that the work will be recognised as resource development encouraged the use of literacy a necessary and valuable tool for Dietitians or Health Process Summary skills by the women: Coordinators on Primary Healthcare Traveller Programmes to implement in the Health Module of Discussion groups were used as the forum to identify National Conference on Traveller Health • Writing, spelling and reading was required for titles other Traveller Projects around Ireland. the needs as perceived by the group in order to develop or sentences to support pictorial resources; and that he expected the study The Minister acknowledged the a culturally appropriate nutrition programme. The Minister for Health and Children, Mr. Micheál Martin T.D., to commence later this year. concerns about the reforms of • Basic numeric was used to determine sugar contents This process supports the whole ethos of Community the health services and how of popular snack and drinks; spoke at the Traveller health conference held in the Royal College Commenting on investment, development, which is to involve people in making they will impact on the Minister Martin said that over changes they identify to be important and which • Listening to each other and supporting each other of Surgeons in Ireland during June. provision of Traveller health and €8 million had been allocated develop and use their skills, knowledge and experience. when learning about various nutritional topics was said that he was confident that constantly required; since 1997 to Traveller health the core principle of partnership 'Travellers are a distinct Travellers have a right to 2002-2005' which have been An 8 - week programme was developed and piloted initiatives and that while the between Travellers and Traveller • Practising the act of presenting information also built minority group of Irish people appropriate access to implemented to date. He said with 12 participants on the PHC in Autumn 2002. Of the investment had been groups and health board on confidence and self - esteem. with their own culture and Healthcare Services, which take that one of the most significant group, 7 women were in the first year of their 3-year considerable and there had personnel in the development of beliefs. Commitment to the into account their particular actions proposed in the training and 5 were in their final (third) year. Traditionally, posters and videos have been the been significant progress in the services would form part of the prioritisation of Traveller health needs, culture and way of life' Strategy i.e. the conduct of a methods used for conveying health messages in the implementation of the Strategy reformed health system. The success of this type of project depends on the Traveller Community. The community health workers is crucial given the statistical said the Minister. Traveller Needs Assessment and to date, continued sustained extent of the involvement of Traveller organisations decided to make their own type of visual aid, which evidence that the health Health Status Study to inform investment by his Department The Minister mentioned the key in the drafting, design and distribution of the would be low literacy, and user-friendly. status of Travellers is appropriate actions required in was required to improve the At the launch of a Traveller Health and Nutrition Resource Pack actions proposed in 'Traveller material used. considerably poorer than that the area of Travellers' health health status of Travellers. created by the Northern Area Health Board and TravAct Primary Care Health: A National Strategy Initially, this resulted in the development of flipcards, Project were (l-r): Sheena Rafferty, Senior Dietician, NAHB; Catherine of the general population. was currently being designed which are unique to this partnership and the Joyce, Co-ordinator, National Traveller Movement; Sian Caldwell, NAHB Community Dietician; Mary Ryan Rose, Co-ordinator, TravAct and Angela Kerrigan, ACE, NAHB.

nahb journal | 10 nahb journal | 11 Dr. Paul Nicell Retires as Top 5 Cinematic Consultant Radiologist Jump for Joy Moments!

Dr. Paul Nicell recently retired He said Dr. Nicell was rated in technologies and helped set By Kevin Sheeky as Consultant Radiologist in the the top one third of the up the Ultrasound service and Diagnostic Radiology and graduates of the university’s in the last few years the Imaging Department at James programme and was most Computerised Tomography (CT) For the most part, movie watching is a passive experience. Connolly Memorial Hospital, effective in teaching residents Unit, which has a remote digital You sit in your already warmed seat with a tub of popcorn, Blanchardstown. and medical students. link to the Neurosugical team in Members of the Jumelage Group on a recent trip to Germany. Beaumont Hospital. sit back and zone out for an hour or two. However, there are A graduate of UCD, Dr. Nicell Tributes were also paid to Dr. trained in Ireland in Waterford Nicell at a special function to The introduction of these some exceptions to this rule. Some films make you want to and Dublin and also in the mark his retirement held in services has been a huge scream with fear, roll with laughter or cheer with sheer joy. United States. James Connolly Memorial benefit to patients, which is Hospital, Blanchardstown. to Dr. Nicell’s credit. The following are my favourite five from the latter option. He trained in Dublin at the Mater Hospital and the Royal Maureen Windle, Chief Executive Over recent years Dr. Nicell College of Surgeons and also of the Northern Area Health introduced new interventional 5. THE END OF ROCKY IV extends his hand and the And now he’s the Republican in the United States at the Board, said Dr. Nicell had been techniques into the Radiology lightsabre leaps straight into it. Governor of California. The less It’s the US versus the USSR, School of Medicine at the an outstanding professional who field such as abscess drainages, After more than two decades of said about that the better. cold war in the ring, good University of Pittsburg. He was had been an enormous biopsies under CT and waiting we find out why Yoda is versus evil propagandist also invited to be Visiting contribution to James Connolly Ultrasound guidance. THE Jedi master. 2. SAM CARRIES FRODO Professor to the University Memorial Hospital, Michael Kellaghan, National Treasurer of the Jumelage Group on a trip to Italy. rubbish. But when the Italian UP MOUNT DOOM He was Chairperson of the Stallion lands that final punch College of Los Angeles at Blanchardstown during the 3. ARNIE BLASTS AWAY Harbour General Hospital where many years he worked there. Local Radiation Safety I challenge anyone to not do There are some movies that THE T-1000 he spent four months. Committee over many years even the smallest punch in caused such a huge impact on "Dr. Nicell won tremendous and was involved in maintaining A different kind the air. At the time of its release their release that it makes me He joined James Connolly respect from his colleagues at standards and ensuring that Terminator II was the most envious of the people that got Hobbits near the end of their destroying evil with the strength Memorial Hospital, JCMH for his work as a clinician both the National and 4. YODA FIGHTS expensive movie ever made. to live through that time. The of holiday three film journey on the side of of friendship?" Well, as Blanchardstown in October 1975 and the dedication and European Guidelines were CHRISTOPHER LEE IN It raised the bar for special and original Star Wars trilogy or the as Consultant Radiologist. A commitment he demonstrated followed appropriately. Mount Doom. Just when it looks impressive as all those other EPISODE II visual effects so much that only Indiana Jones series; A Dublin group has been that the visit is a memorable like Frodo can’t go any further moments were, the point of this testimonial from Dr. Thomas during his long and a handful of films made since these movies are so engrained Throughout his career he had facilitating family twinning one for our guests . his faithful companion Sam, list was to find the moments Eustace of the Mater Hospital distinguished career at the It all started in 1980 when we are comparable to it. That’s on popular culture that it’s hard been involved in training holidays since 1985. Michael Many long – term friendships seeing the end is near, picks his that made me want to get out described him as an "ideal hospital. I would like to wish watched a latex puppet prove quite an achievement for a to imagine a world where they Medical staff and radiographers. Kellaghan explains how. have formed over the years. friend up and carries him the of my seat and cheer. I’ve never colleague" who showed him well in his retirement that "size matters not" by lifting movie that’s now over ten years don’t exist. But thanks to Peter considerable empathy and to thank him for the Our group in Dublin has Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing out of last few steps towards freedom. wanted to cheer more when I The lectures given to the Meitheal Jumelage Eireann old. But my favourite T-2 Jackson I will be able to tell my with his patients. excellent service he has given established a strong reputation the Dagobah swamp. Flash watched four out of place Undergraduate medical students (Irish Twinning Group) is moment didn’t use special grandchildren that I experienced to the health services during throughout Europe for giving forward 22 years. The puppet 1. END OF COOL RUNNINGS athletes standing up in front were always greatly appreciated affiliated to Sportslink. The effects at all. It’s just a close up the time of The Lord of the Dr. Ralph Heinz, MD, Chairman his career." a real Céad Míle Fáilte so we has been replaced by computer of a dismissive world to be and his classes well attended. group has been involved in of Arnie, a man who can barely Rings. These films are so large I know what your thinking, of University of Pittsburg also are never short of invitations to pixels that now lean on a counted as real contenders. If hosting visitors from other speak English, saying a phrase in scale and ambition that it "How could four Jamaican guys wrote to say that Dr. Nicell was During his time in JCMH he visit new locations!! walking stick in front of an that doesn’t make good cinema Dr. Nicell was not only a European countries for almost that would be barely pains me to pick out just one crashing a bobsleigh be better held in high esteem and highly was involved in the development equally computer generated then I don’t know what does. respected Radiologist but 20 years and in turn our Family twinning is now very recognisable as English; moment from them. I would that a Jedi showing us why he’s rated by both himself and of services to patients. Christopher Lee. In one fluid was very popular with his members have enjoyed the popular in Europe. Our group is "Hasta La Vista, baby". have to go with two exhausted the master or two Halflings his colleagues. He kept abreast of all new movement he drops the stick, staff and colleagues. experience of staying with linked to an organisation that members of similar groups now has 14 member countries He was a gregarious character in these countries. with 45,000 families involved. who enjoyed socialising with members of his department So far our group has twinned This organisation, founded in Influenza Vaccination Campaign 2004/2005 and was always generous when with Copenhagen (Denmark), 1960, aims to foster friendships contributions to "leaving Berne (Switzerland), Prague between the people of Europe presents" and " various nights (Czech Republic), Lyon (France), through "twinning". The flu season is imminent and we are preparing for this season’s campaign. Once again we are encouraging out" were required. Birmingham (UK), Coimbra (Portugal) and Trier (Germany). If you would like to know all healthcare workers to get vaccinated for the protection of patients and also for you own protection, as you His infectious good humour more about our Dublin are likely to come in contact with influenza during outbreaks. and witty turns of phrase The basic principle is family group contact: will be greatly missed in the twinning. Members stay with department where he Michael Kellaghan their hosts usually for seven Many respiratory diseases occur every winter but Clinics for vaccination will be held in the Occupational These are walk in clinics, no appointment is necessary, will always be a very Tel: (01) 813 1855 days. The return visit normally influenza is one of the most severe. The WHO states Health Department, 1st Floor, Nurses Home in James however there may be a delay. The vaccine will not be welcome visitor. Email: michael.kellaghan takes place within a year. that influenza typically infects 10%-20% of the Connolly Memorial Hospital for staff of the Northern available outside of these dates. Noel Mulvihill, ACE, NAHB; Dr. Paul Nicell, Maureen Windle, Chief Executive, NAHB; @nahb.ie He has always been an avid population during seasonal epidemics, resulting in Area Health Board. Dr. Neil Hickey, Consultant Radiologist, JCMH and Dr. David Stafford-Johnson, During a visit the hosting group Local arrangements are being put in place in Consultant Radiologist, JCMH pictured at an event to mark Dr. Nicell's retirement traveller and we wish him between three and five million cases of severe illness arranges various outings both The clinics dates are not yet available, however some areas, please contact you line manager for at JCMH. many years of enjoyment in and up to 500,000 deaths each year worldwide. social and cultural to ensure notification will be sent to all staff in due course. further information. his pursuits.

nahb journal | 12 nahb journal | 13 Good Advice from Sonia O'Sullivan The Russian Children Experience – Condolences Take athlete Sonia O’Sullivan’s advice and when it comes to your turn, Ms. Mary Blennerhassett, Chernobyl Children’s Project Staff Nurse, give the decision to breastfeed serious consideration. By Margaret and Kieran Williams St. Brendan’s Hospital, on the death of her father, DART, the back of the airport, SOME REASONS WHY BREAST IS BEST It was obvious to us from what Lorcan Blennerhassett, R.I.P. Funtasia in Bettystown plus we had been told that times are many other places. During the very hard for the people who Mr. Gerry Ryan, CNM, FOR BABIES FOR MOTHERS first week we tried to get them live in provincial Russia and the St. Brendan’s Hospital, out into the fresh air as much standard of living has not They are LESS LIKELY to get: They are LESS LIKELY to get: on the death of his mother, as possible and the lads got improved over the last 10 years. Diarrhoea and vomiting; Breast cancer; Margaret Ryan, R.I.P. • • great enjoyment playing People do not have many Coughs and colds; Ovarian cancer; • • football with Kieran - possessions. As a result we Ms. Maureen Windle, • Ear and urine infections; • Bone thinning (osteoporosis) in later life. for hours sometimes. made sure to bring the boys Chief Executive, • Insulin Diabetes; shopping on a number of • Asthma and eczema; Mothers who breastfeed: Language Barrier occasions to buy new clothes. on the death of her sister, Obesity in childhood; Have stronger bones in later life; • • The language barrier was a bit We knew that they really loved Mrs. Eileen O’Connor, R.I.P. Sonia O'Sullivan is pictured with her two daughters Ciara and Sophie. High blood pressure later in life. Have faster return to pre-pregnancy figure; • • of a problem. However we had getting new clothes and it and brother-in-law, • Have a release of hormones during feeding that was great to see how proud Breastfed babies also: learnt a few words in Russian Mr. Michael O’Connor, R.I.P. "There was never a doubt in my mind about make them feel more relaxed. and together with facial they were walking out of Are more likely to have good intelligence; breastfeeding my two daughters, it just seemed the • expressions and other gestures shops holding their bags of Ms. Barbara & Shirly Boshell, Have straighter teeth. natural thing to do" said Olympic Silver Medalist Sonia, • Dima (Dimitri) and Valera who spent two weeks with Margaret and Kieran Williams we managed to communicate new clothes. /Ms. Gillian Penny, CSA8, during the summer. during National Breastfeeding Week. very well with each other. We Our 2 weeks came to an end on the death of their Late last year we became Shannon. This was followed by knew that the favourite place Having given birth to Sophie, her second daughter very quickly and we handed the father/grandfather, SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES OF interested in the good work another bus trip to Dublin. After was the beach because of their in Australia, where breastfeeding is very common, lads over to their new host James Boshell, R.I.P. BREASTFEEDING TO SOCIETY: BREASTFEEDING INCLUDE: being done by many hard- meeting our 2 boys, Dmitri (but smiles and laughter when we Sonia was astounded to hear that so few women family in Malahide. While it was working people who give up a known to all as Dima) and were there. As they live in the in Ireland breastfeed. As a family that travels a lot, With mothers and babies healthier there are Breast milk needs no packaging; sad to leave them we had a Mr. George Brogan, CMHN • • huge amount of time to help Valera, we brought them home. middle of a huge landmass Sonia found breastfeeding so much easier and more less health care costs to the State; It requires no bottles or teats; great time with them and hope on the death of his mother • families and their children who Dima cried for 2 hours non-stop (Europe and Asia) they never convenient with no need to make-up or warm bottles Breastfeeding women in the paid workforce It does not need to be transported to that the boys will remember Margaret Brogan, R.I.P. • • live in the area contaminated by as he was exhausted and could would have seen a beach or sea and no worries about sterilising equipment. She also their time with us and their have less absenteeism. the consumer. radiation caused by the nuclear not communicate with us as he before. They never would have holiday in Dublin. The boys Ms. Joan Hynes, CNM II maintains it increased the bond between herself and seen or felt sand or seen explosion that happened in spoke only Russian and we became great friends with each her daughters. seashells. They buried each on the death of her mother, few weeks. Taking frequent small feeds gives the continue after that while giving nutritious solid food Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine did not. other and with us. For both of other in the sand and loved Eileen Hynes, R.I.P. An added bonus for Sonia and indeed for all mothers mother’s breasts the stimulation they need to establish as well. The Department of Health & Children in 1986. We decided to help a us it was a great pleasure to be We could not get Dima up the going into the sea to splash is that breastfeeding helps you get back in shape a good milk supply. recommends breastfeeding for up to two years or little by offering to take 2 boys given the opportunity to look stairs to bed on the first night about. Their laughter definitely Ms. Eileen Donohue, much quicker. beyond. The decision about how long you should from this region for a holiday after the 2 boys and even so we decided let him sleep gave everything away. It was St. Brendan’s, on the death Once established most mothers describe breastfeeding breastfeed is however yours and your baby’s to make. this summer. Having got in though it was hard work the downstairs on the sofa. Kieran great to see the amount of DID YOU KNOW: Breastfeeding burns 500 calories a as the most rewarding and enjoyable thing they have contact with the local group reward for us was seeing the of her mother May Donohue, ever done and they and their partners feel justifiably The most exciting news from recent research studies under the Chernobyl Children’s also slept downstairs on a enjoyment the boys got from day without any extra exercise or cutting down on food. lads enjoying themselves, R.I.P. mattress because we didn’t the simple things. Unfortunately proud in giving their baby the best start in life. is that breastfeeding for even short periods means Project we were given the smiling and laughing. The most want Dima wakening up and not in Ireland we take so much for BORN TO BE BREASTFED that you and your baby will have better lifelong health opportunity to care for 2 young important thing about the whole Ms. Una O’Rourke, Staff You can see from the chart above that there are many knowing where he was. We felt as a result. So take Sonia O’Sullivan’s advice and when boys from Bryansk in Russia granted these days. Nurse, St. Brendan’s, on the All babies are born to be breastfed but it does require experience is that the 4 weeks good reasons to breastfeed for mothers, their babies, it comes to your turn, give the decision to breastfeed close to the Belarus and the least thing we could do is to some time and effort in the first few weeks to get At first the lads were a little shy spent in Ireland will add 2 to 3 death of her mother, for the environment and for society generally. serious consideration. If your child-rearing days are Ukrainian borders. The group put ourselves out a bit for him breastfeeding established, especially when you are at meeting people so we did not years to their life expectancy. Annie Kerrane, R.I.P. Breastfeeding for even a short time has advantages. over why not support and recommend breastfeeding that we were involved with because he travelled such a breastfeeding for the first time. It is perfectly normal visit family or friends until the We know that we spoiled them a But to make the most of these advantages aim at to friends and family. allows you host 2 children for long way to get here. second week when they had lot of the time but it was very Ms. Siobhan Harding, CSA8, for newborn infants to breastfeed very often in the first exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months and either 2 or 4 weeks. If you take The next morning the boys settled in. We didn’t want to hard not to when you thought on the death of her brother, them for 2 weeks, as we did, the woke at 5.30am and spoke to overload them as they were of the life they were living at children stay with another host Aidan Miller, R.I.P. one another for the first time only 8 years of age and living home in Russia. Dima and family for the other 2 weeks. Lusk Community Unit Summer Fair since they arrived. Whatever with people they hardly knew in Valera were our 2 little Russian Ms. Mary O’Neill, CSA8, on they said to each other worked a foreign country. However, as kings for 2 weeks and we will 30 Hour Trip the death of her nephew, because we never looked back time went on they became more never forget them. David Scollard, R.I.P. We collected the 2 boys on the for the 2 weeks. Our holiday comfortable meeting other If anyone is interested in afternoon of 10th June from a began from that morning. people, which was great for us hosting children in the future Ms. Ger Donnellan, CSA8, group of 20 children that had because everyone we know, During the 2 weeks we had or in making a donation to the on the death of her father, travelled from Bryansk for more wanted to see them. One thing them we took them to places Project please contact Margaret Willie King, R.I.P. than 30 hours mainly by coach. that we found was that they they never could have imagined, at (01) 813 1846 or Kieran at Their journey included a 10-hour loved animals. Valera in beaches (Portmarnock & (01) 816 4265 and we will give The family of Marie Kelly, bus journey from Bryansk to particular loved dogs so it was Donabate), playgrounds, Dublin details of contact people Minsk (in Belarus), sleeping on great for him when we visited Retired Clerical Officer, Zoo, McDonalds, trips on from the Project. benches in Minsk airport someone who owned a dog. CCA6. Inagh Corr, Volunteer, Winifred Colier, CNM and Carol Cosgrave, Terry Wade, Fred Wright, Mick Hogan and Micheline Cahill who Pamela Burke and Elaine O'Connell with son Adam O'Connell at the overnight and a 4-hour flight to double-decker buses and the Volunteer who were fundraising at the Lusk Community Unit, volunteered their services to the Lusk Community Unit, Summer Fair Lusk Community Unit Summer Fair. Summer Fair. are pictured with Mary Roe, Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee.

nahb journal | 14 nahb journal | 15 Delivery of four key Child Care Service Initiatives A Leaving Care Policy for the Eastern Region The Board has recently appointed Liz Oakes, formerly Principal Social Worker in CCA 8, as Project Manager to co-ordinate the development and delivery of four key service initiatives within the delivery of child care services. In 2003 the Youth Homelessness Forum in the Eastern Regional Health Authority prioritised the development of a regional leaving care policy and the planning for the implementation of leaving care services. A sub-group

Four Key Service • To develop a timeframe Framework our Board has of the Forum was established incorporating a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency representation as follows: Initiatives: for the implementation engaged consultants of Children First and to Dartington to assist with the • Delivery on the Action Plan ensure that milestones development of a generic to aftercare is prepared and Assessment of Need Accommodation for the Implementation of are adhered to; assessment tool to improve communicated to its entire staff A tracking system will be put in Accommodation must take Children First; Ms. Catherine Carty clinical assessment of children. including those working in place that identifies young account of the diverse needs of • To act as a support to staff National Co-ordinator, Irish Association of Young People in Care • Implementation of a This tool is designed to be residential centres." people prior to their 16th care leavers. Factors such as with the implementation of Workload Management accessible to professionals birthday, so that an assessment sexuality, ethnicity, disability, Children First. Mr. Michael Corcoran This statement outlines all System; across a range of services – of their needs can be addiction, physical or mental aspects of support and social work, public health Manager, Regional Registration and Inspection Service, NAHB undertaken by way of equipping illness will influence the • Implementation of the entitlement for the young nurses, etc.. It is based on them for independence accommodation needs of Dartington Paperwork Tool Workload Management person concerned. Common Language to all Mr. Paul Harrison and adulthood. young people. and other associated tools; Workload Management professionals ie. ( risk, Director of Services for Children and Families, NAHB The issues pertaining to young • Emergency Fostering Pilot originated from The National protective factors, need & people leaving state care are Preparation for Education, Training Project for children under 12 Social Work Forum which is thresholds). The Paperwork Ms. Sheila Marshall outlined in a significant study, Leaving Care and Employment years of age. made up of representatives Practice Tool is being piloted in Senior Manager, Child Care, NAHB – Chairperson which was undertaken by Focus Preparation should be regarded Review plans should be from IMPACT, Health Boards, Area 6 and the inner city part Liz Oakes, Project Manager, Child Care Services. Ireland ‘Left out on Their Own – as an integral part of the care cognisant of the young person’s Hospitals CEO’s Group, The of Area 7. This is an Mr. Frank Mills Young People Leaving Care in placement and not as a self- educational plans and Children First Dublin Academic Teaching assessment tool designed to Emergency Fostering The Project will be operated by Director of Social Inclusion, SWAHB Ireland (2000).’ contained process. aspirations throughout his/her Hospital, the National improve diagnosis, analysis and CCA 8 is the pilot site for the the Out of Hours social work period in care. Practical and Federation of Voluntary Bodies, record keeping. It promotes the Pilot Project for Through the conducting of implementation of Children team, with the regular Ms. Sinead Moran Leaving Care emotional support while the Health Services Employers use of a common language children under twelve interviews with care leavers in First in the NAHB and the community care social work undertaking third-level Agency and the Department of across disciplines in order to years of age: Social Worker, SWAHB Ireland, it found that the main The leaving care plan should Project Manager will have service resuming responsibility education should not be the Health & Children. Workload improve better outcomes for issues to be addressed fell tailor individual supports responsibility to ensure that: Our Board will shortly during normal working hours sole responsibility of the Management was identified as children. The tool will be Ms. Yvonne O’Neill under the following headings: specific to each young person introduce a regional six for planning the children’s in transition. young person. • Policies and procedures an issue for examination with a applied on a multi-disciplinary Service Planner for Children and Families, ERHA month Emergency Fostering future care in co-operation • Social and emotional under Children First are view to working towards and inter-agency basis. Pilot Project for children under with their birth families. disadvantage; Aftercare Monitoring and Evaluation developed and delivered; maximising the contribution of Through further use of the Ms. Jean Rafter 12 years of age. The service The area health boards will be social work skills within the Going Home Practice Tool Liz has a wide range of Focus Ireland • Educational disadvantage; Once the young person has • To identify in conjunction will aim to provide foster care required to develop good health services. attention will be paid to experience both here in the moved, he/she will be subject to with Child Care Training placements for children who • Employment; information and data collection children in care as well as Board and abroad ( having Dr. Bobby Smyth a progress review. &Development Unit training As part of the National Pilot in are found to be in need of systems in order to track all children and families in the previously worked in Scotland) • Family; requirements for staff Workload Management four alternative family care after Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, SWAHB young people leaving care or in community. Homeless youth in the delivery of children and Roles and Responsibilities across disciplines; sites have been identified one regular working hours. The • Continuing disadvantage. need of continued support. will also be targeted as part families services and is well The service to young people of which is CCA 7, universally Project is a response to the Ms. Michelle Tait • To arrange for the Child of this initiative. placed to advance the The terms of reference for the should be delivered through a regarded as one of the busiest problem of children being Administrator, ERHA The leaving care sub-group of Protection and Notification implementation of these leaving care sub-group of the dedicated team of staff with an Health Board areas in the admitted to hospitals in the the Youth Homelessness Forum System and Assessment The Project Managers key initiatives. Youth Homelessness Forum was appropriate skills mix. country for social work. The Eastern Regional Health Mr. Eifion Williams has delivered a long awaited template to be included responsibilities in this to review existing national and pilot commenced in December Authority Region, for social policy on leaving care for the on SWIS. i.e. ensuring that area will include the The development and Social Inclusion Manager, SWAHB international leaving care Range of Services 2003 and will conclude on rather than health reasons, Eastern Region, which was a record of every child following: implementation of these policies; review the existing March, 2005. due to the lack of an after In order to plan and deliver a adopted by the Forum on 26th about whom following a service initiatives is reflective leaving care provision in the • Liaising on behalf of the hours social work focused and dedicated leaving May 2004. Planning for preliminary assessment, of the on-going work by the region; evaluate models of best The Project has 3 main Board with Dartington placement service. Legislative, regulatory and subsection (2) assist him for as care service the policy proposes implementation of the policy there is a child Board in attempting to deliver practice in leaving care both elements namely Risk Consultants policy frameworks have driven long as the board is satisfied as that an overarching leaving care has already commenced in the protection concern; Emergency carers have been a high level of service to users nationally and internationally Assessment, Supervision the development of a Leaving to his needs for assistance and structure needs to be developed Northern Area Health Board. It • Developing processes for recruited and trained for the of Children and Families to identify components of • To confer with the Regional & Workload. Care Policy. The most definitive subject to paragraph (b) he has and outlines a possible is a comprehensive policy establishing Paperwork scheme. The service intends to services. Their introduction will best practice and to consult Child Protection Committee statement in relation to the not attained the age of 21 years implementation model. document that will support Paperwork across professional groups return children home within enrich the knowledge of the with young people, staff and in relation to issues responsibility of the health of age." practitioners and young people and between agencies three days, where it is feasible Boards professional staff as foster carers. concerning inter-professional As part of the Eastern Regional boards to provide a leaving care Financial Provision in the provision of a service that to do so, or to accommodate well as ensuring improved and inter-agency Health Authority’s and Area • To liaise between the service to young people is under The Aftercare Protocol of the The resulting policy document Young people should be will meet the needs of young them in an appropriate delivery to service users. co-operation; Health Boards ongoing Consultants and the Training the Child Care Act, 1991; Section Youth Homelessness Strategy provides for a model of service supported to access pathways people leaving care. placement, while assessment Readers will be kept advised of commitment towards the & Development Unit 45 (1a) which states that: (2001: 27) includes the following provision under the following to financial entitlements or of their home situation is being progress with regard to the objectives of the Child Care regarding training and statement: headings: continued access to existing carried out by their community above initiatives in later coaching requirements. "Where a child leaves the care financial entitlements including care child protection teams. editions of the NAHB Journal. "Each health board must ensure of a health board, the board consideration of a leaving that a written policy in relation may, in accordance with care grant.

nahb journal | 16 nahb journal | 17 Six emergency carers have been keen eye on all applications for range of material and psycho- recruited and trained for the placement in residential care to social needs, in partnership with Foster Care - Promotion and Best Practice Action Plan for Foster Care scheme, with further ensure that those children best other statutory and voluntary The NAHB has developed an Action Plan on Foster Care to recruitment planned if suited to foster care are catered agencies. It is recognised that resources must be made The Northern Area Health Board foster care service offers alternative family care to children whose parents ensure that service delivery is targeted on specific tasks to be necessary, once the project has for within that service. available to deliver on plans and achieved within reasonable timeframes. The main tasks been evaluated. The service cannot provide for them for a variety of reasons. Seventy-eight percent of children in care in the Board are that review, evaluation and assigned to our Foster Care Implementation Group include: intends to return children home Supporting young accommodated within foster families, with 608 children and young people aged from birth to 18 years within three days, where it is people moving on active participation by young 1. Prioritisation of service provision in line with the feasible to do so, or to move from foster care people are essential receiving this form of alternative care (NAHB 2003). requirements of the National Standards for Foster them on to placements of a components in any successful The National Standards for Care (2003) longer nature when required, aftercare policy. Foster Care (2003) require that while assessment of their home 2. Review of the Action Plan for the Crisis Intervention Service, "children and young people are Conclusion situation is carried out by their with emphasis on access to foster care for homeless youth helped to develop the skills, community care child protection Research conducted by the and the provision of preventative services for this knowledge and competence teams. The project will be NAHB in 2001 for the Eastern vulnerable group. necessary for adult life. They operated by the Out of Hours Regional Health Authority are given support and guidance 3. Review of the Regional Action on Youth Homelessness social work team, with the suggests a high level of to help them attain vis-à-vis provision of foster care services and support. regular community care social satisfaction amongst foster independence on leaving care". work service resuming 4. Development of a recruitment strategy, based on the responsibility during normal findings of the Board’s study on foster care, Counting on working hours for planning the Foster Care (NAHB 2002), incorporating the experiences of children’s future care, the Irish Foster Care Association and the National Standards in co-operation with their for Foster Care (2003). birth families. 5. Development of a model for assessing relative foster carers based on best practice, incorporating the Irish legislative Links between foster context and the National Standards for Foster Care (2003). care and other child This task has been completed. Training in the model will be care services delivered to staff before the end of October 2004. Fostering is but one response in Foster Care Team Members from Community Care Area 7 (l-r): Sharon Malloy, Helena Foster Care Team Members from Community Care Area 6: Back row (l-r): Sarah Jane Ward, Esther Grimes, Michelle Cuendet, 6. Development of an Action Plan to implement those Sullivan, Celia Dwyer, Yvonne Dawkins, Maura Ryan, Maria Savage and Tracey Collins. Susan Morgan. Front row (l-r): Philippa Cahill, Leanne Rutledge, Elaine Nugent. the continuum of child care recommendations of the Working Group on Foster Care services provided by the NAHB. (2001) which were not addressed in the National Standards Our services operate to keep Thirty-four percent of our parents. Five percent of the The Foster Care specialist advice, when pre-placement training of for Foster Care (2003). the number of admissions to foster children are cared for by children admitted to care required, to clarify any aspect foster carers, provision of post Committee care as low as possible despite relatives, an option which during 2003 were noted to of assessment or any issue in placement support groups and The new NAHB Foster Care the increase in children received allows children to remain have been sexually abused relation to placement of training, foster carer support about the range of people who being provided to staff in line Committee operates on the into care over the last three within their extended families (NAHB 2004). Whatever the children in foster care. The and supervision, as required foster successfully from all with the requirements of the principles set out in the years (NAHB 2001-2003). Foster Foster Care Team Members Community Care Area 8, (l-r): Len Amory, and thereby significantly primary presenting reason for committee made a submission under the Child Care Act 1991 walks of life and to highlight the National Standards for Foster Melissa Eustace, Lorna Kavanagh and Sarah Doyle. National Standards for Foster care is usually the first reduces the trauma of being in admission to care, it is clear to the NAHB Review of and the Child Care (Placement benefits for all concerned. We Care (2003), to ensure efficient Care (2003). These dictate that alternative care option care (NAHB 2003). Foster care that all such children Adequacy of Child Care and of Children in Foster Care) aimed to prompt applications completion of assessments the committee considers all exercised by the Board if Many long-term foster families gives children a second chance experience the detrimental Family Support Services 1995. The service is organised from a broader range of people arising from the campaign. families, many of whom have reports for foster care families cannot be supported to continue to support their young to experience family living, effects of separation and loss, for 2003, as required under on the principle of having who may not have previously been fostering for more than 20 applicants and makes maintain their children at home. people beyond the age of 18 while helping them to come to a situation which foster care the Standards. separate social workers for realised that they are eligible to Emergency Fostering years (NAHB 2002). Carers recommendations to the Board There are some children years through offering terms with what led to their attempts to address. children in care and for foster foster. To this end, we stressed Pilot Project for interviewed in this study as to their suitability for A future function for the however, for whom residential continued family membership as admission to care. It facilitates carers, as required within the the fact that we have already reported significant benefits for children under care is best indicated. These they go through third level them to reach their potential National Standards for acceptance on to our panel of committee under the National Standards for Foster the children they foster and for got single, separated, married, twelve years education or apprenticeships. foster carers. The committee Standards is to receive children tend to be older and their own families. The foster and keep in touch with their Foster Care Care (2003). Service operation childless, employed and This is a measure of the success must approve all placements of notification of all foster carer our Board operates a policy birth families, with the overall also includes provision of unemployed carers, who provide Our Board will shortly introduce children were frequently seen Foster care services are whereby care is taken to have of fostering. For those young goal to reunite them where children in foster care which review outcomes and to needs assessments, care plans a regional six month Emergency as a source of love and joy and provided within the policies a valuable fostering service to people who must move on into are over six months in endorse foster carers Fostering Pilot Project for no child under twelve years possible (NAHB 2004). and reviews for children in children in care, tailored independent living earlier than carers reported that the outlined within the National duration. The Foster Care continuance on our panel. It is placed in residential care, unless care, as well as facilitation primarily to the children’s children under 12 years of age. their contemporaries, the NAHB, experience of fostering Standards for Foster Care, Committee met on 13 occasions also intended to add a Clinical their particular needs indicate The children who of contact with their needs and suited to their This service aims to provide in conjunction with the Eastern alleviated any prior concerns introduced by the Department in 2003 to consider fostering Psychologist and a foster carer that this form of placement is in need care birth families. own circumstances. foster care placements for Regional Health Authority has they had about the impact of of Health and Children in 2003. applications and to approve to the committee, to further their best interests. Our Action children who are found to be in developed a draft policy on fostering on their family life. Thirty-four percent of the Our Board’s Foster Care particular matches for specific enhance the working of the Plan for Residential Care Recruitment Campaign Our emphasis was on need of alternative family care Leaving Care (ERHA 2004). The NAHB appreciates the children who needed foster Implementation Group is undertakes to review and assess children with foster carers. group and to comply with highlighting the need for carers after regular working hours. The Aftercare plans are addressed commitment of the 428 active care in 2003 came from addressing the need to In May 2004 our Board ran a requirements under the for children aged between 6 and project is a response to the all children under 12 years in recruitment campaign to as part of the foster care foster families on our panel of families with parental addiction produce procedures for Our Foster Care Committee is residential care to ascertain National Standards (2003). 12 years, children who are problem of approximately ten placement review process and carers and looks forward to problems, while 14% of implementation of the multidisciplinary in increase our panel of available homeless and those who need such children per month being whether a foster care placement are initiated two years prior to working with them in continued children experienced direct Standards, which promote best composition and benefits from carers. A new comprehensive Community Care Area emergency care. A total of 79 admitted to hospitals might be better suited to their the time the child is due to partnership to advocate the child neglect and a further 14% practice in foster care in the broader perspective on Fostering Information Pack was Fostering Teams enquiries were received during throughout the Eastern Region, needs, and if so, to make plans leave care (Department of best interests of children for experienced physical abuse. relation to children’s needs, child care that this affords. prepared for those making the week of the campaign in the for social rather than health to achieve this goal. Similarly, Health 1995). This draft policy whom we have responsibility. Eleven per cent of children in foster carers and operation of Committee members have Operation of foster care enquiries. A central purpose of three community care areas, reasons, due to the lack of an the newly formed NAHB Child proposes a model of aftercare, foster care were admitted due services by Health Boards. received updated training, as services at community care the campaign was to educate with the majority coming from after hours social work Care Residential Placement and which is accessible to all care to temporary or permanent required under the Standards. level includes local the public about children in within Community Care Area 8. placement service. Discharge Committee keeps a leavers, and addresses their full abandonment by their birth The Committee has access to recruitment, assessment and need of alternative family care, Training in assessment skills is

nahb journal | 18 nahb journal | 19 Tommy Monaghan, Improved and expanded venue for north CCA 8’s Award Dublin theatre and music goers By Sean Corcoran, Director, Millbank Theatre

Winning Playwright The Millbank Theatre, one of Drama festival run under the refurbished bar area is being the country’s most successful auspices of the Amateur considered for poetry and play and Author community based theatres, has Drama Council of Ireland and readings, mini gallery and recently re-opened after a the event was a tremendous general coffee and bar area €1.6m upgrade. success. Some of the finest with light catering facilities. groups in the country provided Located in Chapel Green, Rush, Fingal with productions from The Board is also keen to Co. Dublin, the Millbank Beckett to Shepard and from develop a relationship with Theatre is one of the great Synge to MacDonagh. national and secondary level success stories of north Co. schools with a view to possibly Dublin and Fingal and home to The Board of Directors has set integrating with the schools the Rush Dramatic Society, a up a number of sub committees curriculum to give students a voluntary group in existence to further develop the Millbank fuller appreciation of plays in since 1927. Theatre into a hub for arts in what is being christened the the area. Other ideas being "page-to-stage" programme. With the completion of the considered for the venue upgrade works Rush now has include commercial and Finally the Board is keen to a state of the art, purpose arthouse cinema, foreign develop a cross border or built venue for the promotion language films, and Irish international "twinning" and development of drama in language promotion arrangement with similar sized Tommy Monaghan pictured with J.B. Keane in June 2000. the region. through film. companies with a view to a cultural exchange to bring Tommy Monaghan, who bores his congregation Since its opening in 1988, over The existing junior drama theatre of all styles and Superintendent Community silly with his seriousness. 60,000 patrons have passed programme is being cultures to the Fingal region Welfare Officer in Area 8, is However, while standing on a through the Millbank Theatre’s restructured to provide a also a successful actor, terrace in Croke Park he meets doors and more than 60 major more comprehensive and The Board believes that the playwright and author. up with strangers who give him productions have been staged. progressive drama school future of theatre/drama in an insight into other people’s for the next generation of Ireland lies not solely with the He is a keen writer with a It is a 145-seater raked theatre lives and who change his members. The training and mainstream theatre venues in number of literacy accolades to with the latest in sound and approach to his congregation. development for existing Dublin but in the community his credit, e.g. Listowel Writers lighting technology. The This play was broadcast members is continually being based theatres that are Award, P J O’Connor Award theatre now has a full time professionally on RTE Radio. monitored and improved. developing around the country. and first place at Tipperary manager and three part time A course in acting by Dara Carefully selected community Writers Festival and the Cork He has also written short employees under the Social Carolan of the Drama League hubs such as the Millbank Arts Theatre competition. stories published in the Anglo Economy Programme. of Ireland is currently under Theatre are key to the Celt newspaper and others development of an Tommy has a long association In recent times events staged way at the theatre. have been broadcast on the appreciation in drama. The with the Millbank Theatre at the Millbank have included Northern Sound radio station The theatre is also being commitment of the Board and in Rush where his acting musical concerts. Since 2002 in the north west and on the promoted as conference/ members of Rush Dramatic is and writing skills are artistes appearing there have Dublin station Anna Livia. seminar venue. The auditorium unquestionable as they strive much admired. included Suzanne Vega, David Recently Tommy read his own is an ideal location for any to make the Millbank Theatre Kitt, Luka Bloom, Damian story "Nadya" on the RTE radio presentation or meeting. simply the best and most Tommy won the prestigious Dempsey, and Rodriguez y programme Sunday Miscellany. There are also a number of productive theatre venue in Historical Award (and met John Gabriell. The Theatre recently rooms available for classes, Fingal if not in Ireland. B Keane) for his play "VIVE If you are involved with a hosted its own 3-act amateur training etc and the newly LA". This was set in Fingal drama group and would like to during the 1798 rebellion and review some of Tommy’s was based on a true story of scripts he would be happy to Millbank Theatre – deceit and corruption among facilitate you. You can contact informers who ruined the Tommy at Mobile 086-8128147 NAHB Journal Reader’s Competition United Irishmen’s plans to or by email enlist French help. [email protected] In this edition of the NAHB Journal we are Send your answers to: offering staff members the opportunity to Millbank Theatre Competition He won the P J O’Connor Tommy continues to produce a enter a draw for a gift voucher courtesy of NAHB Journal, The Communications Dept., award for his play "Altar Ego". strong body of work so much the Millbank Theatre. Northern Area Health Board, In writing this he drew on his so that those who come into Swords Business Campus, previous clerical experience contact with him at the NAHB All you have to do to be in with a chance Balheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin. and the people he has met at may sometimes feel that the of winning the voucher is answer the or email us at [email protected] football games. The play characters in his stories and question below. focuses on a priest who has plays are vaguely familiar! Entries must be received by 5 pm on lost touch with his people and In what year did the Millbank Theatre open? Friday, November 19, 2004.

nahb journal | 20 The NAHB Journal is published by the Communications Department of the Northern Area Health Board. You can contact us at Swords Business Campus, Balheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin. Tel: (01) 813 1855 Fax: (01) 813 1870 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nahb.ie