Health Matters Vol. 4 Issue 1 Spring 2008

Item Type Report

Authors Health Service Executive (HSE)

Rights Health Service Executive Ireland

Download date 30/09/2021 21:58:05

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10147/45763

Find this and similar works at - http://www.lenus.ie/hse New Hygiene Vaccine Delivery HfH Premiers in Campaign Success Crumlin Patients to question staff New system saves money and Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin on hand washing improves safety launches HfH Programme p9 p15 p18

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Parents in Galway enjoy more recent review of how public With this approach, health services > Increases in the number of day inpatients could be treated in an quality time with children hospitals admit, treat and (within and between hospital and cases (the average in Ireland is 12 alternative to an acute hospital). p 24 A discharge patients has found community) are connected together per cent below the OECD average); The review highlights that these that patients would spend less time in seamlessly, delays between services > More discharge planning (currently practices are already working well hospital, and receive a better service, if are reduced and patients receive a no discharge date is planned for 83 in a number of Irish hospitals and all public hospitals adopted practices better service. per cent of patients); introducing them to all public hospitals that are the norm in other advanced The review recommends: > Bringing patients into hospital on the could be done relatively quickly. health systems > Reductions in the avera ge length day of their surgery, rather than 1-3 The Acute Hospital Capacity Bed The Acute Hospital Bed Capacity of time people stay in hospital days earlier. Review Report can be accessed in full Review recommends that Ireland (excessively long stays currently use > Treating patients in more appropriate on the HSE website and Intranet. develops an Integrated Health System. 900 acute inpatient beds); settings (currently 39 per cent of See pages 16 & 17 for more New Group Homes New Cavan CT for People with Disabilities Scanner rookevale and Millbrooke House are two new group homes for people Latest technology for Cavan with disabilities that have been built in the Monaghan area. The homes Hospital B provide high standard residential accommodation to 15 people in a p25 beautiful, quiet and private rural type setting less than a mile from Monaghan town. It is hoped that the homes will further enhance the level of service provision for people with disabilities in the area and have an enormous positive impact on the lives of adults and children with a disability in the area, in addition to the lives of their families. The HSE part-funded the capital costs of both projects, including furnishings and fit-out, in addition to the funding for the staffing and running of these group homes and the day to day operational management of these services. The development also involved the Monaghan Parents & Friends Association and the Monaghan County Council, who both worked together with the HSE.

Offical Opening: New Ark School Catering for the educational needs of children in hospital p 28

Martina Murphy (right), a Delivery Ward Nurse at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, writes a prescription for Siobhan Maguire, from Walkinstown, who gave birth in February to baby Eamonn (8lb 12ozs). The hospital recently became the first to introduce prescribing by nurses and (L to R): President Mary McAleese, Martin McAleese, Dan Rogan and Cait McKenna, midwives (see full story on p6) Monaghan Parents and Friends Association Easy Access - Public Confidence - Staff Pride =ZVai]bViiZgh

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Welcome to the Spring edition of Health Matters. In this issue, we report on the advantages of an Integrated Health System model. The benefits of having health services in the hospitals and in the community seamlessly connected are great, and many are now convinced that an integrated approach to patient care is the way forward. We also highlight the fact that the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin, has become the first hospital in this country to introduce prescribing by Nurses and Midwives. The first ever Registered Nurse Prescribers (RNP) commenced this new practice at the hospital in January - a Families and friends greet the exhausted but exhilarated expedition team on their arrival home at Cork airport truly important development which will be of great benefit to patients. Look out for a new national public awareness campaign about cocaine, launched in February by the HSE and the Department of Community Consultant Conquers Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The campaign, called ‘The Party’s Over’, aims to dispel the myths around cocaine and cocaine use (see our story on page 3). Congratulations to Irish adventurer Dr Clare O’Leary, and colleagues, who made history recently South Pole after reaching the southern tip of the earth’s axis after a gruelling 1,100km trek across Antarctica (full r Clare O’Leary, a consultant expedition was the length of it,” she story on this page). Dr O’Leary has now returned to gastro-enterologist at South said. “We had 58 days where we were her job as a consultant gastro-enterologist at South D Tipperary General Hospital, skiing for 11 or 12 hours a day, and Tipperary General Hospital. We are all very proud of recently returned to work just weeks that was tough going in the freezing her outstanding achievement. after becoming the first Irish woman conditions.” We are continuing to analyse and assess to reach the South Pole. The Hospital Manager at South (L to R) : Pat Falvey, Jonathan Bradshaw, Shaun Menzies the returns from our Communications Survey Dr O’Leary, who hails from Bandon Tipperary General Hospital, Breda and Dr Clare O’Leary who reached the southern tip of the (Health Matters Winter 2007). We hope to soon in Co Cork, was part of a team of Kavanagh, paid tribute to Dr O’ earth’s axis in January this year be in a position to put forward proposals for the four led by businessman, Pat Falvey. Leary: “We are very proud of Dr O’ development of Communications so that it can The group set off on November 8 Leary’s achievements. Along with better assist the HSE and its staff to achieve our last and arrived at the South Pole being the first Irish woman to reach objectives. More on this in future editions of Health two months later, having trekked the South Pole, she was also the first Matters. 1,140kms across Antartica, hauling Irish woman to reach the summit of Activity There is plenty of news from each of the four HSE 150kg sleds through icy winds, sub- Mount Everest in 2004 and the first areas to keep you up-to-date on developments zero temperatures and snowstorms. Irish woman to complete the summits Doubles on in various parts of the country. As always, The expedition, which honoured Irish of the world’s seven peaks. We are your comments, suggestions and ideas are Antartic explorers, the renowned not surprised by her most recent welcome. Contributions can be sent by email to: Ernest Shackleton and Tom Crean, accomplishment. Dr O’Leary excels at HSEnet [email protected] The copy deadline for the was successfully completed with everything she does, but manages her next edition is 30 April. the safe arrival home of the team on achievements in a very low-key and Activity on HSEnet, the new national Intranet site for January 17. gentle manner. For this reason, she HSE staff, more than doubled between the end of On her return to work, Dr O’Leary is a very popular member of our staff. December 2007 and the end of January 2008. thanked staff for their messages of We salute her.” The new site is being promoted via twice weekly support. She said that, without the Staff at Cork University Hospital, email alerts advising staff of the latest news being encouragement and support of her where Dr O’Leary previously posted. family and friends, she would not worked, are equally proud of her If you are a staff member with access to a PC at Stephen McGrath – Editor have had the strength to achieve her achievements and extend their work, all you need to do to access the new Intranet is Head of Internal Communications goal. “The most difficult part of the heartiest congratulations. to click on the following web link while at work: Email: [email protected] http://hsenet.hse.ie While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information You can make the Intranet your homepage by published in Health Matters , the Health Service Executive accepts no clicking on the special ‘Homepage’ button inviting responsibility for errors or omissions contained herein. Also note that Recruiting Competition you to do so. The homepage also has Golden Pages, inclusion of an article in Health Matters does not necessarily imply the eircom Phone Directory, HSE Factfile and press endorsement of the article’s content, unless otherwise stated. on the Web Winner cuttings facilities. ©2008 Health Service Executive. ob vacancies in the HSE are now HSEnet has been designed to become a valuable All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, being advertised to the public source of information for staff, helping to connect Congratulations to the winner of stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means mainly on the Internet on:www. people all over the organisation. It allows staff to electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without J our December Health Matters 2nd careersinhealthcare.ie as part of a new avail of regular and up-to-date information, and also prior permission of the publishers. birthday competition. Mary Burke, advertising strategy for recruitment. facilitates individual directorates and areas with an Quality Accreditation Manager in Newspaper banner advertisements online resource for contacts, documents and much Health Matters is published by Harmonia Ltd., Rosemount House, South Tipperary General Hospital, Dundrum Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14. are also being placed in selected more. More information is being continuously added Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Mary wins a Tel: 01 240 5300 Fax: 01 661 9757 publications to inform the public that to the site by staff contributors as it evolves. fabulous weekend break for two in the HSE is recruiting and directing HSEnet will soon be complimented by a revamp of ISSN: 1649-7996 a Carlton Group hotel. candidates to the careers website for the HSE’s website HSE.ie. individual vacancies and their details. p2 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh New Haematology & Oncology Day Unit at Crumlin Hospital conditions. The unit can admit up to 24 In addition to the Haematology and having to move to another hospital, patients in total, since some children Oncology Day Unit, the five year project where they do not know the staff. do not need to be in a bed for treatment also gave birth to the opening of the Speaking at the opening, President but can sit in specially designed chairs Medical Tower in October 2004, a one- Mary McAleese said: “The opening and use the facilities of the play/games stop shop in the delivery of outpatient of the new Unit today marks a superb room while they have their treatment. care, and facilitated the new Aseptic milestone on this path, the result of a The provision of the new unit will Compounding Unit, which allows the mammoth operation - commenced in help to reduce the risk of infection, as pharmacist to produce chemotherapy in 2002 - of making Our Lady’s Children’s less traffic will now be passing through the most up-to-date facility in the country. Hospital, Crumlin, Ireland’s national the ward area, in addition to providing According to Professor Owen P paediatric oncology and haematology plenty of space for children attending Smith, Consultant Haematologist centre. This is a phenomenal day care to rest and relax during their and Director of the NPHOC Project: achievement, and all involved, from the visit while, of course, ensuring they have “Perhaps the greatest advantage of the Department of Health and Children, the access to all the necessary facilities. development of this National Paediatric HSE, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, The Haematology and Oncology Haematology & Oncology Centre at Our Crumli, the National Children’s Hospital, Day Unit also acts as an advisory and Lady’s is that it provides the opportunity Tallaght and St James’s Hospital response service for 16 Shared Care to concentrate, for the first time ever, deserve enormous credit for what they Centres throughout the country, in on the clinical and research and have achieved within this relatively short President Mary McAleese, pictured here with Mairead Lee, Clinical Nurse Manager, eight month old Clodagh Leahy and her mother, Triona, from Martinstown in Co addition to GPs, patients and their developmental aspects of paediatric space of time.’ Limerick, at the official opening of the new Haematology and Oncology Day Unit at Our families. This service is of tremendous blood and cancer disorders in a single Lorcan Birthistle, Chief Executive Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin value as it means fewer trips to Dublin location. This development has been of Our Lady’s Hospital said: “The for patients and their families as they particularly opportune with the recent commissioning of a Haematology and he official opening of the new completion of the National Paediatric can now receive care from their local increase in immigration from countries Oncology Day Unit at Our Lady’s, is Haematology and Oncology Day Haematology and Oncology Centre hospital and GP with the support of the that have haematological disorders an extraordinary achievement and will T Unit at Our Lady’s Children’s (NPHOC) at Our Lady’s. A number of national centre at Our Lady’s. previously unknown in Ireland, for be a huge asset to the hospital. This Hospital, Crumlin, took place in January. essential posts (95 in total) have been Commencing in 2002, the ambitious example, haemoglobinopathy disorders marks the final stage of the National President Mary McAleese presented developed in the process, including project to create a National Paediatric and, in particular, sickle cell disease. Paediatric and Oncology Centre at the new unit, which will provide high consultants in haemoglobinopathy Haematology and Oncology Centre All children with blood and cancer Our Lady’s which I believe will change quality care and treatment to children and malignant haematology, oncology, (NPHOC) at Our Lady’s took five disorders have a comprehensive the lives of so many children suffering with cancer or blood disorders and is a histopathology and dentistry; in addition years to complete and involved the treatment approach which is reflected from haematology or oncology related major development in child healthcare to nursing; psychology; social work; collaboration of many bodies such as in the quality of care of that is delivered.” illnesses throughout the country. I wish in Ireland. physiotherapy; dietetic; pharmacy Eastern Regional Health Authority; the The final leg in the creation of a to take this opportunity to thank all Funded at a total cost of E3 million by and laboratory staff. This has had Department of Health and Children; NPHOC at Our Lady’s closely follows those involved in the setting up of this the HSE and the Department of Health a significant positive impact on the St James’s Hospital; the National the opening of the new MRI Unit in Centre for their unwavering support and and Children, the new facility has state- treatment of children’s cancer in Children’s Hospital, Tallaght and Our October 2007 and means that Our commitment to the project, in particular of-the-art equipment and is designed Ireland. Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, who Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, as our dedicated staff.” around the relaxation and comfort The purpose built, two-story building worked together in order to realise the a tertiary centre, can treat the oncology An artwork project, sponsored by of the child or adolescent and their comprises 13 dedicated beds, including goal of a National Centre for children with and haematology patients on site, thus the government, ‘Per Cent for Art relatives. four dedicated protected beds for haematology or oncology illnesses to minimising delays and avoiding the Scheme’ was also commissioned for The opening marks the project children with non-malignant blood attend from all 26 counties of Ireland. upheaval suffered by a children when the new unit. Campaign Aims to Dispel Myths about Cocaine Dangers

national public awareness campaign > To provide information about where people can about cocaine was launched recently access help, services and information. A by the HSE and the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The The key messages are that there is a high risk campaign, entitled, ‘The Party’s Over’, is targeted associated with poly-drug use, particularly alcohol at 15-34 recreational users and aims to dispel the and cocaine; that cocaine is not a clean drug and myths around cocaine and cocaine use. it is directly linked to crime and, finally, that there Working under the framework of the National is a substantial cost to use – both personal and Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, and research published financial. by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs To reach the young target group, an advertising (2003 and 2007), a Campaign Advisory Group and PR strategy was devised to maximise the developed objectives, aims and key messages resources and reach of the campaign through the which resulted in the development of the use of appropriate media. The campaign features comprehensive, nationwide campaign. The HSE’s dynamic online and ambient media advertising, Population Health Directorate worked with the supported by highly visible outdoor ads and a Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht comprehensive PR campaign that will see key Affairs to plan and execute the campaign. messages brought to all national and regional print and broadcast media. The campaign objectives are: The campaign is accompanied by a general > Reductions in the average length of time people booklet about drugs, a leaflet specific to the stay in hospital (excessively long hospital stays dangers of cocaine and cocaine use and an currently use 900 acute inpatient beds); online support resource – www.drugs.ie – where > To communicate the message that cocaine is members of the public can learn, and even interact not a harmless drug; with, a variety of expertise and information. Further > To educate the public about the risks associated support can be accessed through the HSE infoline Catherine Murphy, Assistant National Director Health Promotion, Population Health, HSE, with with cocaine use; and also by texting ‘drugs’ to 51900. Minister of State, Pat Carey, T.D displaying campaign literature

Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh p3 =ZVai]bViiZgh Recognising Staff Commitment National Achievement event. The event will be used as an & Safety Awards and a Poster Staff from all four HSE areas published in the last edition of Awards ceremony, to opportunity to highlight the work that Competition will be announced and were presented with HSE Area Health Matters). A celebrate the winners from the HSE and related organisations are celebrated at the national event. Achievement Awards in November The awards incorporate the the Area Achievement Awards, will doing in their areas to promote the An overall National winner will 2007. Below the main Area Award former award schemes: HSE take place on Wednesday April 30, development of better services. also be announced; the winner of winners are listed from HSE Dublin Innovation Awards and HSE Quality 2008 in the Mansion House, Dublin. Overall winners from the Better this award will receive the Derek North East and HSE West (the main and Safety Awards. They are The National Event will bring all Place to Work, Better Service Dockery perpetual trophy for their Area winners from HSE South and sponsored by the Health Services area award winners together at one Awards, Leadership Award, Quality organisation. HSE Dublin Mid Leinster were National Partnership Forum.

HSE Dublin North East Finalist Presentations

Reconfiguration: major changes to existing approaches

Optimising Attendances in a Mental Health Setting – Nursing Department, Mental Health Centre, Winner Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan

Best Improvement / Best Effort

Quality Improvement for the Care of the Dying and their loved ones in an Acute Hospital Setting Winner – Cavan/Monaghan Hospital Group, Cavan General Hospital, Co Cavan

Winners of Best Improvement/Best Effort category in the Dublin North East Awards – Care Innovation of the Dying and their Loved Ones. Back Row, (L to R) : Professor Brendan Drumm, CEO of the HSE; Padraig O’Reilly; Ruth Gibson; Marie Sheridan; Bryan Nolan; Larry Walsh, Teen Parent Support Programme – Louth PCCC, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co Director of The Health Services National Partnership Forum (HSNPF). Front Row, (L to R) : Winner Joan Kelly, Bridget Clarke and Carmel Sherry Louth

Adopting and adapting good practice

Better Service for Heart Failure Management - Heart Failure Service, Cardiology Department, Winner Beaumont Hospital, Co Dublin

Better Place to Work Award

Winner Enable Ireland North East Service - Navan, Co Meath

Quality and Safety Awards

Certificate Award in the Best Improvement/Best Effort category in the HSE Dublin North Winner National Hospitals Office - Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Co Dublin East Achievement Awards – the Catering Department, Connolly Hospital. Back Row, (L to R) : Professor Drumm; Margaret Kenny, Catering Manager, Connolly Hospital; Larry Walsh, Director of The Health Services National Partnership Forum (HSNPF). Front Row, (L to R) : Other awards: Maurice Friel, Lisa Graham and Marian Heeney Leadership Award Catering Department - Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin. Popular Choice Award The Chatterbox Project - Speech and Language Therapy Department, PCCC, Lisdarn, Co Cavan. HSE West Finalist Presentations

Reconfiguration: major changes to existing approaches

Winner HSE HR Shared Services - Garda Vetting Liaison Office (GVLO), Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim

Best Improvement / Best Effort

Winner Waste Matters in the Acute Setting – Sligo General Hospital, Co Sligo

Winners in the HSE West Awards – Medical Records Management Project , Sligo General Innovation Hospital. Back Row, (L to R) : Martin Mc Donald, National Director of Human Resources, HSE; Domhnall Mc Loughlin, Assistant General Manager, Sligo General Hospital; Pat Reidy, Sligo General Hospital; Larry Walsh, Director, Health Services National Partnership Winner The Melting Pot – Co Roscommon Forum. Front Row, (L to R) : Sue Watters, Medical Records Manager; Mary Conlon, Clinical Nurse Manager 3; Jim Verdon, Medical Records Archives Officer, Sligo General Hospital Adopting and Adapting Good Practice

Winner Medical Records Management Project – Sligo General Hospital, Co Sligo

Better Place to Work

Winner Equality and Diversity in Galway University Hospitals

Quality and Safety

Winner Financial Systems Team – Finance Department, Merlin Park University Hospital, Co Galway.

Other awards: Leadership Award Helen Harney – Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co Galway (involved in ‘First Heartsafe The Melting Pot was a Popular Choice Award winner in the HSE West Achievement Awards. (L to R) : Martin McDonald, HSE National Director of Human Resources; Garrett Schools in Ireland’ Initiative, Portiuncula Hospital) Doyle, Peer Support; Andrew Mc Donnell, Clorina House Training Centre, HSE West; Popular Choice Award Winner: The Melting Pot, Co Roscommon Adrian Brend, Manager of The Melting Pot; Larry Walsh, Director, Health Services National Partnership Forum p4 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- South =ZVai]bViiZgh Breast Surgery Transfers to Waterford Regional Hospital anuary 2008 saw the transfer of breast cancer surgery from South Tipperary General Hospital (STGH), in Clonmel, to Waterford Regional J Hospital (WRH). This move is in line with the HSE’s National Cancer Control Plan and the requirement to centralise breast cancer surgery to eight specialist cancer centres nationally, with links to designated hospitals. Despite the transfer of surgery, a consultant led breast care clinic and the breast care nurse specialist service will continue at STGH. Chemotherapy services will also continue to be delivered on a day care basis. All other surgery will continue as normal and there will be no disruption to surgical services, according to Breda Kavanagh, General Manager, STGH. Mr Constantino Fiuza Castineira, Consultant Surgeon, who has transferred to WRH from STGH, will lead the breast surgery service for patients from Waterford and South Tipperary. Speaking about his new role, Mr Castineira said: “The transfer of breast surgery to WRH is in line with international best practice and makes available to South Tipperary patients the full range of services of the multi-disciplinary team in Waterford.” Staff Unveil New Art Exhibition at WRH Richie Dooley, Hospital Network Manager said: “This development has the full support of the cancer care clinicians involved as it aims to ensure the best A group exhibition, titled ‘Passengers’, focusing on the theme of journeys, and curated by a multi-disciplinary team of HSE staff members with the assistance of the Waterford Healing Arts Trust, was exhibited at Waterford Regional Hospital in February. The group, comprising staff from Nursing, possible outcome for patients with cancer. A team of expert professionals in Midwifery, Administration, Household Services, Occupational Therapy and Catering departments – all of whom have a keen interest in art - curated the field of breast surgery are now housed on one campus at WRH. I want to their own show culminating in a full year of preparation and featuring a total of 37 art works. Over 60 artists from around Ireland and abroad responded to a submission process from which the artwork was chosen commend all the staff involved in the transfer for their commitment to this move which everyone agrees is in the best interest of patients affected by cancer.” Taking Action on Environmental Issues Nurses Bandon Community Hospital Bandon Community Hospital was recently presented with an award from the town’s Sustainability Project in recognition of its efforts in composting food and recycling paper, glass, tin, old batteries and other items. Update The project also aims to promote community gardening by providing financial assistance and advice to help maximise local sustainability in providing locally available foods. With support from the project group, a garden club has been set up and is run by patients, staff and volunteers from the local community. The club aims to grow vegetables for use in the hospital kitchen. Patient Record According to director of nursing, Finola Finn: “We are delighted to accept this award as it recognises the enthusiasm and dedication of our staff, patients and volunteers, along with the community’s involvement. It acknowledges the continued effort that staff make to ensure that the hospital has an eco-friendly environment. It is with pride that the hospital’s efforts are leading the community in the important area of Keeping environmental sustainability.” Nurses at Cork University Hospital (CUH) have St Finbarr’s Hospital completely revamped the patient documentation St Finbarr’s Hospital has also begun recycling cardboard, paper, tins, plastic and glass. As well as helping to protect the environment, this has within the hospital in order to update clinical E important cost-saving benefits: it is estimated that the hospital will save about 20,000 per year on waste charges as the collection rates are recording practice. lower for recyclable waste. The new system incorporates many new Hospital manager, Cathleen Bowen said: “The staff at St Finbarr’s truly care about the legacy they leave for future generations and we have elements including discharge planning from the been working towards this change in practice for some months now. We have undertaken this initiative as we are fully aware that activities day of admission and care planning. This replaces associated with operating a large facility, such as this hospital, can have a significant negative affect on the environment.” a method of documentation in situ since the hospital opened. Disposal of Unused Medicine A Nursing Documentation working group, During 2007, community pharmacists recovered over four tonnes (4,236kg) of unused or out-of-date medicines which were collected by the consisting of nurses from all grades and all clinical HSE. Members of the public were invited to bring the medicines to pharmacies in Cork and Kerry during March and November/December. It is areas in the hospital, oversaw the transfer over to hoped to run a similar campaign towards the end of this year. this more modern and holistic approach to patient documentation. According to Rose Hayes, Documentation Project Officer: “The nurses believe that the quality of records maintained by them is a reflection of Staff Train in Interpersonal Psychotherapy the quality of care they provide and, therefore, the existing documentation had to be changed.” ifteen medical and nursing staff from the Mental Health interpersonal disputes; role transitions and interpersonal deficits. Hospital nurses also collaborated with Services in Middleton and Cobh, in Cork, have been trained The staff have been trained by Dr Shinkwin, who is based in North nurses in the community on revising the form F in interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). The need for this type of Cork, PCCC and two English psychiatrists. The treatment is currently for patients transferring from hospital to therapy was identified during a forum which took place in late 2006 on being delivered to clients under close supervision by Dr Shinkwin. community. “By joining forces and exploring the how best to meet the client’s needs in the future. The training was funded by the Nursing and Midwifery Planning needs of the community, an improved transfer IPT is an evidencebased approach used to treat depression. It and Development Unit, the Mental Health Foundation and form was developed and is soon to be trialled,” looks at four areas of a person’s interpersonal life: complicated grief; pharmaceutical companies. said Ms Hayes.

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(L to R) : Ailish Condon and Mary McCarthy who will soon be registered to prescribe specified medicines as part of the nurse and midwife prescribing initiative

(L to R) : Registered Nurse Prescribers from the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin (L to R) : Martina Murphy (Delivery Ward), Brenda Casey (Antenatal), Bernie O’Brien (Midwifery) and Lorraine O’Hagan (Lactation)

(L to R) : Cora O’Connor, Maura Gallagher and Kieran Condon who recently completed the Holles Street: Nurse and Midwife Prescribing Education Programme Plans for Staff First to Introduce Nurse Respond to X-ray Proposed Nurse and Midwife Prescribing Legislation

he HSE is currently putting in ver 1,000 nurses and midwives Prescribing place arrangements for the had the opportunity to T phased implementation of O participate in a national nurse X-ray prescribing. The aim of consultation process, led by Dr Siobhan he National Maternity Hospital which includes supervised clinical (1998), which advocated expanded the initiative is to improve access to O’Halloran, Nursing Services Director, in Holles Street, Dublin, practice with a medical mentor. roles for nurses and midwives in diagnostics for patients in as timely a on the proposed legislation for the T became the first hospital in The National Maternity Hospital is clinical practice. An Bord Altranais manner as possible by extending the regulation of nurses and midwives. this country to introduce prescribing one of the largest maternity hospitals established the Prescribers Division scope of nurse practice. The role of the Office of the Nursing by nurses and midwives in January of in Europe, caring for over 8,500 of the Register of Nurses and also In order to ensure safe prescribing Services Director is to provide leadership, this year. This is a major milestone for women annually. It is a university developed standards to guide practice practice, the Office of the Nursing support excellence and build capacity the HSE - one that is already having a teaching hospital which has a bed to assist services in introducing this Services Director is currently examining in nursing and midwifery health care positive impact on patient care. complement of 200. A community initiative. the most appropriate approach to the delivery that contributes to achieving the Since the first ever Registered Nurse midwifery service was established in The National Maternity Hospital phased introduction of the initiative, Transformation Programme 2007-2010. Prescribers (RNP) commenced this 1999 for women living in south Dublin Drugs and Therapeutics Sub with particular attention being paid to: Anne Gallen, Assistant Director, Nursing new practice, one of the benefits has and Wicklow and offers domino, Committee acted as a Steering legislation; service implementation; & Midwifery Planning and Development been a reduction in waiting times early transfer home and home birth Group to oversee this development. patient safety; professional Unit, HSE West, was appointed to project for pain relief after childbirth. The services. The neonatal intensive care Nicola Clarke, Assistant Director of development; education and value for manage the consultation. Master of Holles Street, Dr Michael unit has 35 cots and accepts tertiary Nursing and Midwifery, and the local money. It is also proposed to establish a Over 1,000 nurses and midwives Robson, and the other members of referrals from all over Ireland. The prescribing site coordinator, was Steering Group comprising key were involved in debating the the Executive Management Team busy gynaecological unit is a national complimented for her commitment stakeholders to oversee the recommendations contained within – namely, Mary Brosnan, Director referral centre for gynaecological and enthusiasm. The Office of the introduction of this new practice. the proposed new legislation through of Midwifery and Nursing and cancer and women’s health issues. Nursing Services Director, HSE, under The legislative provisions to facilitate workshops and open fora hosted around Michael Lenihan, Secretary Manager Dr Siobhan O’Halloran, HSE Elizabeth Adams, Director of Nursing, the implementation of X-ray the country. Individual and organisational – were quick to identify the potential Nursing Services Director and and her team of Assistant Directors prescribing by nurses have now been submissions were then invited and benefits to mothers and babies of the Chair of the National Resource and coordinated the project with the local put in place. The Statutory Instrument is were included in a HSE submission to prescribing initiative and recognised Implementation Group acknowledged prescribing site coordinators in each SI No. 303 of 2007 amended SI No. 478 the Department of Health and Children. the value in facilitating nurses and the leadership demonstrated by clinical setting. of 2002 - European Communities Those who contributed have helped to midwives to prescribe as part of their Mary Brosnan, Director of Midwifery The education programme for (Medical Ionising Radiation Protection shape the future of the professions of holistic approach to patient care. and Nursing, and the consultant nurses and midwives commenced in Regulations 2002). The amendment nursing and midwifery. The first four RNPs in Ireland obstetricians, Dr Michael Robson, April of last year and a similar course reads: “A person whose name is The HSE’s response to the Department – practising midwives at The National Master, and also the previous Master, was simultaneously run in University entered on the register of nurses as of Health and Children was submitted last Maternity Hospital – are Martina Dr Declan Keane, who grasped this College Cork. A total of 42 nurses maintained by An Bord Altranais, month and both the response and the Murphy, Brenda Casey, Bernie O’Brien challenging initiative and guided its graduated in October 2007 and a established by the Nurses Act 1985 report on the consultation are now being and Lorraine O’Hagan. They were implementation into practice. further 53 are due to complete their and, who meets the standards and posted on the website: www.hse.ie among the first group in Ireland to The nurse and midwife prescribing studies in April 2008. Enrolment of requirements set down by An Bord The Office of the Nursing Services complete the six-month education initiative gives effect to the the third group has just completed. Altranais from time to time to allow Director will hold future consultations programme (with distinction) at the recommendations contained in the For further information, please go to: them to refer individuals for medical as the legislation progresses towards Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Report of the Commission on Nursing www.hse.ie/en/NursePrescribing exposures as a practitioner.” enactment. p6 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh

New Pat Whelan Hepatology Obituary Unit to Open by Paul Harrison

new Hepatology Unit hen Pat Whelan at Beaumont Hospital, passed away in A Dublin, is due to open this W November last, the summer. Beaumont is one of eight HSE lost an esteemed colleague national specialist centres designated and friend. Pat was a founder specifically to the care of patients who member of the Irish Foster Care were infected with Hepatitis C through Association in 1981; she served administration of contaminated blood as a director of the International and blood products within the State. Foster Care Organisation; was Approximately 120 of these patients a member of the Department attend Beaumont for Hepatology of Health and Children Working services. The new unit is designed to Group on Foster Care; and served provide patients with a waiting area, on the Eastern Health Board’s outpatients areas, consultation rooms Child Care Advisory Committee. and meeting room facilities. Pat was a major influence on Hepatitis C Patient Representative best practice in foster care. Her The new Community Nursing Unit at Cherry Orchard will allow for the transfer of older patients from actue hospitals to more appropriate Groups have been involved in the enthusiasm and goodwill were project from its inception, and were infectious; making her a shrewd given an opportunity to contribute to the negotiator, a convincing advocate unit’s layout and interior design. and a real champion for carers The project is being managed by and children. She will not be Gareth Enright, Project Manager and forgotten. She is an ongoing New Community Ginny Hanrahan, Clinical Services source of inspiration. May she Manager, Beaumont Hospital. rest in peace. Nursing Unit Opens CIT Service Reaches

herry Orchard Community Nursing Unit in All rooms will have en-suite bathrooms, with 70 per cent of Dublin is now open and receiving patients. This them being single occupancy. As well as providing long stay 1,000th Referral C unit is the first of 12 new Community Nursing care for older people, 12 of the beds will be designated as slow Units that will enable hospital resources to be utilised stream. Slow stream beds are used to provide specific care he Community Intervention Team (CIT) in Dublin South, set up to help better in the transfer of older patients, who no longer to older people immediately after discharge from an acute reduce local hospital admissions and facilitate earlier discharge, recently need acute hospital care, to more appropriate care hospital in order to facilitate their planned return home. The T celebrated its 1,000th referral. Based at St Mary’s Community Centre in facilities. new units will also offer additional respite care capacity to Rathmines, the team provides a rapid response nursing and social care service in The unit was designed and built in just 48 weeks, support relatives caring for dependent older people. the area. using the HSE’s fast track approach to construction. It As part of the initiative, a Consultant Geriatrician During the past year, the team has helped more than 900 people leave acute aims to provide high quality, long stay, therapeutic, will provide sessions to both Cherry Orchard and St hospital early to manage their condition in their own homes. As a result, they recently rehabilitative and medical care to older patients. James’s Hospital. The HSE has also increased the level received a certificate award in the category, ‘Reconfiguration: major changes to The initiative is part of a E112m investment by the of staffing within its social work service to provide an existing approaches’ at the 2007 HSE Area Achievement Awards. HSE, which includes 860 new enhanced service for patients and According to Joan Bourke, Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing: “We have public long stay beds and their families. Occupational Therapy, been operating for more than a year now and feel that we are making a difference 214 additional replacement/ Physiotherapy and Speech and Language in the work that we do. We essentially provide an ‘Out of Hours’ nursing service, refurbished beds over the next LZ`cdl Therapy services have also been delivering nursing care in the home, or at a designated wound clinic. The aim is to 12 months. The plan includes enhanced with the new units, including support people at home, either allowing them to be safely discharged from hospital, the completion of 13 new i]VidaYZg physiotherapy and occupational therapy or to prevent them from needing admission to hospital in the first place. The team Community Nursing Units later µeZdeaZVgZ activity suites. has been very beneficial in terms of developing the skills of the nurses involved, and this year, with five in Dublin, five Patients and clients will receive care we are constantly working with the acute hospitals so that new skills can be learned in Cork, one in Tralee, one in bdgZa^`Zan on a residential and day case basis, and a wider cohort of patients can benefit from the service.” Galway and one in Limerick. including wound management, health To be admitted to the CIT, a patient must be aged 18 years or over, and living in the The short turnaround time in idX]ddhZid promotion and routine investigative Local Health Office areas of Dublin West, Dublin South West or Dublin South City. building the unit at was achieved services. Clients will also have access Referrals are accepted from GPs, Public Health Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, using a modular system of gZbV^cVi]dbZ to assistance, including chiropody and Community Services and from St. James’s and Tallaght Hospitals. design and construction with hairdressing, depending on the unit. Patients who have been referred to the CIT will be managed for a maximum of ten the significant components of [dgVhadc\Vh According to Fergal Black, Local Health days, and will then be referred to the Public Health Nurse Service. Patients include the unit constructed off site, and edhh^WaZVcY! Manager for the area: “We know that older people living alone, people who have had a fall with subsequent fracture, or subsequently assembled on site. older people are more likely to choose to those who need nursing assistance to administer insulin. In conjunction with the short dci]ViWVh^h! remain at home for as long as possible Types of nursing care provided include: blood pressure monitoring; wound construction schedule, the HSE and, on that basis, we have a wide range dressings (excluding compression dressings); palliative care; diabetic care; catheter also put in place a fast tracked lZ]VkZV of supports to facilitate them. However, care; ostomy care; PEG tube care; respiratory care; medication management; care of 17 week recruitment campaign when this becomes more challenging, or HICC/PICC lines; fractures and injections. to ensure appropriate staff were l^YZgVc\Z when individuals require care following The CIT is made up of the Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing, Clinical available when required. hospital discharge, we can support and Nurse Managers, Registered General Nurses and Health Care Assistants who make When a second Community d[hjeedgih assist them through facilities and services house calls to patients discharged from hospital to assist them in managing their Nursing Unit at Cherry Orchard at our Community Nursing Units.” conditions and to help prevent their readmission to hospital. Hospital is opened, the two will id[VX^a^iViZ Thousands more patients and clients The service is unique in that is operates seven days a week between 6pm and provide 94 beds for older people i]Zb across the country will have access to midnight, Monday-Friday; and 2pm to midnight at weekends. Since its instigation a year living in the Dublin South City/ similar services and facilities over the ago, the service has seen a month-on-month increase in the numbers being referred. County Area, facilitating timely coming months, with the opening of The service has been widely praised by service users who say they find it discharges from three surrounding acute hospitals - St the new units and the provision of the new beds in many comforting knowing that the support is there, particularly after hours and in the first James’s, Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals. ¶ existing hospitals and units. few days after returning home from a hospital stay.

=ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh p7 Dublin Mid Leinster =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Expansion New HSE Board Members wo new members were appointed to the HSE senior executive in both the private and public health care Board by Minister for Health and Children, Mary sectors. Mr Farrell is resigning his position on the VHI Board. T Harney, TD, in January. Following the retirement by lottery (as required by the of Nurse Mr Joe Mooney, a recently retired senior official of the Health Act, 2004) of five members of the HSE Board, the Department of Finance with many years experience in the Minister reappointed three members. The reappointments health and social welfare area, is one of those appointed. were: Mr Eugene McCague, Professor Anne Scott and Mr Also appointed is Mr Pat Farrell, Chief Executive of the P.J Fitzpatrick. Irish Banking Federation, the principle representative The Minister expressed her gratitude to retiring members Practice body for banking and financial services in Ireland. He is on of the Board - John Murray and Michael McLoone - for the Board of the Irish Hospice Foundation and is a former their work and commitment over their term of office. Reduces ED Appointment of Admissions New Public Analyst r Michael O’Sullivan has been appointed as analytical service under one roof. This is highly reduction of up to 60 HSE set out to identify the number of the sixth Public Analyst in the Dublin Public advantageous and convenient for customers. A HSE admissions to Emergency older persons in residential care on DAnalyst’s Laboratory (PAL), HSE Dublin Review of the laboratories is now underway to establish, A Departments (EDs) has been PEG feeding, after which an audit of Mid-Leinster. The first Dublin Public Analyst was on a national basis, an efficient, integrated and cost achieved as a result of registered current practice of dislodged tubes appointed in 1862 and stayed in the post for an effective laboratory service for our customers. nurses being trained in replacing was carried out. Of the 49 patients incredible 59 years. In 2006, the laboratory was appointed as EU National gastrostomy tubes for older persons with PEG in situ at the time of the The Dublin PAL, located in Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital, Reference Laboratory (NRL) for three major food in residential care. audit (2005), 29 (59 per cent) of provides a chemical and microbiological analytical areas. Dr O’Sullivan affirms: “This is a most important The new procedure, whereby patients had been transferred into the service to the Dublin Mid-Leinster and Dublin North development. It is recognition of our expertise and replacement gastrostomy tubes are acute setting for replacement tubes, East. It responds to ‘Food Alerts’ and performs method accreditation, which is due entirely to the high inserted in the patient’s current care totalling 77 visits. research to implement specialised analytical methods. standard of work and dedication of our staff. It places setting is having a direct impact on The total time patients were absent The lab is accredited to ISO 17025 and has over 80 us at the centrality of EU food control but it has the quality of patient care. To date, from their base unit was anything tests accredited across chemistry/microbiology, food resulted in major new responsibilities for the PAL.” 60 replacement tubes have been between three hours and 25 days. The and water. All food testing is governed by the HSE- Since becoming Public Analyst, Dr O’Sullivan successfully reinserted by trained timeframe from when the tube was FSAI Service Contract. has focussed on teamwork, progressing towards nursing staff on site, thereby avoiding dislodged to the actual replacement The Dublin PAL is one of 10 HSE laboratories – excellence in customer service. One of his priorities the need for these patients to attend ranged from four hours to ten days. including three PALs and seven microbiological, – is to ensure that his staff find their work rewarding. EDs. Besides benefiting the patients, A member of staff had to accompany providing an analytical service to the HSE, FSAI and He is confident that the laboratories will remain at the this also has positive implications patients on four occasions, leaving other customers. The Dublin PAL is unique amongst forefront of developments and will continue to provide for the service from a cost saving sites short staffed. The total these in providing a fully integrated, seamless an excellent, cost effective and responsive analytical perspective. estimated cost for ambulance multidisciplinary chemical and microbiological service to all our customers. A total of 19 training sessions transfers was E19,250. have been delivered in six long stay As a result of the audit, the residential care sites in the Midland Community Nutrition & Dietetic Service counties between 2005-2007. Staff & Practice Development, alongside who underwent this training are the Nursing Midwifery Planning now continuously maintaining their Development Unit in the Midland competency levels with six month Area, initiated a project to develop training updates, using a training appropriate policies/procedures to mannequin, in addition to referring support the expansion of practice to information resource packs which of the nurse to reinsert replacement include polices and procedures. gastrostomy tubes on site. There is also routine monitoring The impact of the expansion of of the number of successful tubes nurse practice for the patients and replaced. the service has been evaluated, with The impetus for this initiative came the results being welcomed as an from the National Health Strategy extremely positive development by all 2001. In setting up the project, the those involved. New Low Literacy Aids Help Smokers to Quit

n innovative way of helping people with low literacy levels to quit smoking has been developed by the Health Promotion Service in A Wicklow. In consultation with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), they have developed a range of colourful, illustrated handouts that describe some of the key strategies to successfully quitting. The materials complement the HSE’s seven week quit smoking programme which is offered on a one-to-one basis at the Glenside Road Health Centre in Wicklow. The course covers key topics such as withdrawal symptoms, coping with stress, dietary advice and relapse prevention. The new handouts also list useful contacts, give a weekly feedback sheet and include a programme evaluation questionnaire.

p8 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Consultant Agreement Marks Another Milestone

nother important milestone has been passed along The agreement marks the end of the negotiation process. The Working Hours the road to transforming our public health service with new employment contract will apply to all new consultants as In addition, the length of the working week is to be extended A the new consultant agreement, according to Professor well as existing consultants who choose to transfer from their from 33 to 37 hours. Brendan Drumm, CEO of the HSE. existing contract. An extended 8am-8pm working day will be introduced Welcoming the agreement, he thanked the parties to the where required, increasing the number of hours a scheduled negotiations for their constructive engagement and the Contract Types on-site Consultant service available by four hours per day. Chairman of the talks Mr Mark Connaughton SC. There will be three types of employment contracts Consultants may, under certain circumstances, be required “We have concluded an agreement that is fair and reasonable to work five hours on Saturdays and Sundays to expand access and positively weighted in favour of patients who depend on Type A – Salary range up to `240,000 for patients/ clients to consultant provided services. the public health system for quality and speedy access to care. Public-only practice permitted. Consultants can now become more actively involved in leading Clinical Directors and influencing the direction of public health services. I am Type B – Salary range up to `220,000 Consultants and the services they provide and work in will pleased that we will now be able to recruit more Consultants A minimum of 80 per cent of the Consultant’s work load will be now be led and managed by fellow clinicians. This will entail and fill existing vacancies. The real value of this contract will be devoted to assessing and treating public patients in public facilities the appointment of Clinical Directors to manage clinical realised through its speedy implementation and we look forward and a maximum of 20 per cent can be devoted to private patients. services, budgets and lead the development of services for to working with the Consultants in achieving this.” patients. Agreement has been reached between the HSE/Department Type C – Salary: `175,000 Also consultants will now, as part of their contract, of Health and Children and the Irish Hospital Consultants These Consultants will be appointed in exceptional situations work together in teams to support the provision of Association (IHCA) on the terms and conditions from which an and will be entitled to treat private patients outside the public consultant-provided – rather than consultant-led – employment contract for consultants will now be drafted. hospital campus. services to patients. NSP Allows for Patients to Question New Budget Staff Hand Hygiene Clarity he HSE has launched a major new public information campaign on hand hygiene, inviting patients to ask their healthcare workers if they have cleaned their hands he new unified budget process T before treating them. announced by the Minister for Finance This might seem like a difficult or challenging question for patients but, since good hand T for 2008 has allowed the HSE, for the hygiene does so much to halt the transfer of infection from patient to patient, no health first time, to both publish and distribute the worker should object to reassuring the people in their care that they are getting the clean National Service Plan (NSP) before Christmas. pair of hands they deserve. The NSP is our contract with the Minister for Dr Kevin Kelleher, Assistant the type and volume of services to be provided National Director for Health for monies allocated to us from Government. Protection with the HSE said: It sets out how we plan to spend the `14.132 we can achieve in “While hospital hygiene is clearly billion allocated to us for 2008 - an increase of 2008. Proposals within the NSP to incur cost on important, evidence shows that 6.14 per cent on the 2007 allocation or `765.3m. new services or employment must be funded hand hygiene is the single most This new allocation supports the delivery by cost savings and in the context of a balanced effective defence against the of a vast range of services, both in terms of vote position as the year proceeds. Value for spread of MRSA. Patients and continuing the existing services or enhancing money (VFM) will continue to be a key focus. healthcare staff are now much or prioritising the development of new or We plan to deliver `280m of savings through more aware and often more additional services. more efficient and effective management of our concerned about Healthcare Additional funding announced on Budget resources. Associated Infection (HAI), and Day in December has been managed by an The NSP is not just our contract with the we hope that the public education addendum to the NSP which was submitted to Minister, it is the basis on which we manage our messages we are broadcasting the Minister for Health and Children in January business. Detailed Business Plans have been will help to reassure everyone in 2008. developed right through the system – these are the hospital that high standards To support the HSE vision where everyone the tools by which services plan and monitor the are a priority.” will have easy access to high quality health and delivery of services and how we hold our system In March 2007, the HSE social services that they have confidence in, and to account through our Performance Monitoring established a National Infection staff are proud to provide, the NSP was framed and Measurement Framework. Control Steering Group which is based on a number of supporting priorities, 2008 is the first year that services have responsible for reducing infection including: been notified of their budgets, understand levels in Ireland’s healthcare To direct the provision of care away from their service commitments and have their facilities – this will be carried acute settings, where appropriate, and towards WTE ceilings available to them. This is a very out by preventing the spread of services in the community; significant development for the HSE as it infection and altering antibiotic To provide service in line with best means that we are in a position to commence usage in hospitals and in the international standards, treating the maximum the year with total clarity through the system, community. number of patients on a day case rather than on allowing us to effectively monitor and measure “Healthcare Associated an inpatient basis (for those who require care in our performance from the outset of 2008. As Infection, or HCAI, is now a acute settings); part of this robust monitoring process, a full feature of all international health facilities. It’s not only a question of getting rid of it – it’s To deliver services within our vote and within performance review at the end of each month how we manage and control it that matters. We have to enforce hand hygiene standards, our employment ceiling. will address any emerging variances from Vote train our staff, educate patients and visitors, and provide facilities that support clean and The need for sustainability and affordability is and other trends. The NSP is now available on safe environments,” added Dr Kelleher. crucial and the NSP is explicit in terms of what the intranet site: http://hsenet.hse.ie

=ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh p9 West =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Specialised Nursing Appointments

wo Advanced Nurse Practitioners have management in 1992 and, in 1995, took up a position recently been appointed at Portiuncula in the Pain Clinic in Portiuncula Hospital. Caroline T Hospital, Ballinasloe. Caroline McGrath will studied at the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin work as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in and the Athlone Institute of Technology before Pain Management, while Mary Egan’s appointment is undertaking her Masters in Health Science as an Advanced Nurse Practioner in Oncology. (Advanced Practice) at NUIG in 2003. Caroline is the first ANP in a Pain Management post Caroline sees patients on a day to day basis - both in Ireland, either North or South. ANPs are nurses who inpatients and outpatients - with a variety of painful work in a specialised area. The role is an advancement disorders, such as acute post-operative pain, lower (L to R) : Mary Egan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Oncology and Caroline McGrath, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in of nursing care in the field of pain management. In the back pain, osteoarthritic pain, shingles and facial Pain Management, both recently appointed at HSE West’s Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe in Co Galway Republic of Ireland, the core concepts of advanced pain. Just as no two patients are the same, no two practice nursing have been defined by the National pains are the same. Each patient is dealt with on an care and collaboration of services by the ANP is the oncology services, whereby cancer patients Council for Nurses and Midwives (NCNM) as: individualised basis. Caroline can request radiological hoped to lead to timely referral, assessment and are provided with specific expert nursing care and autonomy in clinical practice; expert practitioner; and laboratory investigations as necessary so, by the treatment of acute and chronic pain problems, advice throughout the course of their illness and professional and clinical leadership and research, but time the patient is seen by the consultant, results of and also to a heightened awareness of pain and its into remission. The ANP’s job description is also to also there is the requirement that ANPs are investigations are back, allowing the consultant to management. provide education regarding early detection, treatment appropriately academically prepared for their role. initiate treatment. This reduces the amount of waiting Prior to her new appointment, Mary Egan, the services, rehabilitation, palliative care and evidence Caroline qualified from Portiuncula Nursing School time for the patient from referral to treatment. new ANP in Oncology, had been working as a based oncology care. Discharge planning for inpatient in 1986 and has gained a variety of clinical experience The new role in Pain Management will improve clinical nurse specialist in Portiuncula Hospital oncology clients who require home care and public in areas such as medicine, surgery, gynaecology, accessibility to the service and will act as a resource since the opening of the oncology service in health nurse involvement - in collaboration with intensive care, coronary care, gender reassignment to patients, families, GPs, Public Health Nurses December 2000. In 1999, Mary completed a a primary health care team in the community - is also and orthopaedics. She began working in pain and Home Care Teams. Provision of continuity of higher diploma in Oncology in UCD and, in 2003, coordinated by the ANP. undertook a master’s degree with an advanced A priority for the ANP working in the oncology service practice strand at NUIG. This academic training is also the supervision of safe administration of all drugs included anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, delivered. pharmacology, clinical decision-making, legal The ANP role benefits include increased issues and research. multidisciplinary working, more efficient utilisation of Mary works as an independent practitioner nursing time and expertise and efficient streamlining providing specific education counselling and a of patients based on their assessed need. The support service to patients attending the hospital underlying principle of developing the role is to provide for oncology review and treatments. This is comprehensive healthcare, sensitive and appropriate to achieved by assessing, diagnosing, treating and the needs of the oncology population and their carers referring or discharging patients autonomously, Commenting on these two new ANP posts, Bridgetta but within agreed and approved guidelines. Other McHugh, General Manager, Portiuncula Hospital said: key areas addressed by the role include a focus on “The management of Portiuncula Hospital recognised the management of lifestyle changes, which are the need and the benefits that can be achieved from necessary as a result of cancer and treatment. the development of Advanced Nurse Practitioner Posts Mary will play a pivotal role in health service and fully supported the process all the way. We are very (L to R) : Mairead Lane, CNM 2 in Occupational Health HSE West; Diarmuid Daly, Night Superintendent in St Stevens Hospital HSE South and Brigid Quaid-Dunphy, CNM3 in Occupational Health HSE South were among provision, allowing for a more total integrated proud of both of these appointments and look forward the first graduates conferred with a Masters in Occupational Health from the University College Cork in package of care for cancer patients at Portiuncula to seeing them being fully developed and integrated into December of last year Hospital. The main aim of the post is to coordinate our services, which will be of benefit to our patients.” 105th Birthday Celebrations elebrations took place at HSE West’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon recently when one of the residents, Kathleen Murray, celebrated her 105th birthday with C family and staff. Kathleen is a native of Crannagh, Summerhill, in Athlone, and was born in 1902. She grew up in a farming family and, after attending school, trained as a cook. She later worked with McNeill’s undertakers and Nayler’s Chemist in Athlone, before going to work as a priest’s housekeeper, a position she held for many years until her retirement over 40 years ago. Kathleen says she enjoys excellent health and rarely, if ever, needs any medication. What’s the secret to her longevity? She says she loves the outdoors and, throughout her life, has enjoyed long walks in the countryside and also gardening. While Kathleen never married, she has a large network of friends and is a very popular lady. She used to smoke 20 cigarettes a day but gave them up when she entered the Sacred Heart Hospital 11 years ago. The Sacred Heart Hospital is situated just outside Roscommon town. The facility provides long stay, rehabilitation, respite and convalescence beds and a day care service for older people. There are 182 residents in the hospital and 25 day care places in the refurbished ‘Croi Sona’ Day Care Centre. Refurbishment begins at St Catherine’s – a long stay female ward – shortly at a cost of more than E4m. Sacred Heart Hospital patient, Kathleen Murray, who recently celebrated her 105th birthday

p10 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh Dublin North East =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Supporting Salt Reduction campaign ith the average daily salt salt amount and salt per portion in maximum is six – showing just how intake in Ireland being well each food. Staff and visitors were easy it is to reach the daily maximum W over the recommended invited to read the labels and many without even realising it. amount, two student nurses at Our were taken aback by the amount of Alongside the demonstrations, Lady’s Hospital, Navan recently salt it is easy to consume every day the students distributed information became involved in the Irish Heart without adding any extra salt at the leaflets from the Irish Heart Foundation Foundation’s campaign to reduce salt table or in cooking. entitled ‘Time to cut down on salt’. They among the population. Many were surprised at the high also held a quiz to find out if people The nurses shocked staff and salt content of processed foods. For knew how much salt they needed. visitors by revealing the level of salt example, it was shown that one packet The campaign aims to encourage present in everyday foods. Using foods of instant sauce contains six grams of the public to reduce their average such as cereals, biscuits, rashers, salt, or the equivalent of 2.5g sodium. daily intake of salt from the current 10 sausages, ready mix sauces and The recommended dietary allowance grams that has been recorded to the bread, the students showed the total (RDA) is four grams of salt, while the recommended six grams or less. (L to R) : Medical student Martin Paulson with student nurses Alan O’Brien and Fiona Tormey

(CAWT) - the cross border health New Cross Border GP and social care partnership - secured European Union INTERREG IIIA funds to bring the service on stream. Out of Hours Service In January of last year, a similar pilot scheme was launched which People living in a border area of of Hours centre in Castleblayney, Co allows patients living in border areas Northern Ireland can now access urgent Monaghan. of Inishowen, Co Donegal, to access GP Out of Hours services in the Republic The service was developed with the Northern Ireland GP Out of Hours of Ireland for the first time. support of the Department of Health, services in Derry. The cross border service began in Social Services and Public Safety in Both schemes will be evaluated November of last year, enabling those Northern Ireland and the Department with a view to establishing how the living in border areas of South Armagh of Health and Children in the Republic. cross border service could be extended to avail of services in the NEDOC Out Coperation and Working Together throughout the border.

Launching the new cross border GP Out of Service were (L to R): Colm Donaghy, Chief Executive, Caterers Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Director General of CAWT; Dr Larry Moran, NEDOC and Monica Curran, INTERREG Development Officer, Special EU Programmes Body Receive Donation to Happy Heart Haematology Unit Catering Award he Haematology Unit at Connolly Hospital recently received the generous total of 60 catering premises Pictured back row (L to R): Instructors Irene Mc Cauley, Myles Hackett, Dorothy Breathnach, E Madeline Caulwell, Ger Ryan, Chris O’Connor, Claire Jordan, Dr Gillian O’ Kane (Course donation of 17,000 from C &M Construction Ltd, who arranged a in the North East were recently Director) and Pat Smyth T fundraising evening in aid of the Unit at Connolly Hospital. A presented with the ‘Happy Middle row (L to R) Christine McQuillan, Bree Fitzpatrick, Anne McGeeney, Brian Carey, The Unit, which opened in late 2005, operates two days a week and currently Heart Catering Award’ by Trevor Mohammed Ali Elseed, Frances Marron, Emma Ross, Denise Markey, Sharon Wall, Mohamed Abdalla and Niamh Sheridan has over 500 patients attending each year with blood cancers, lymphoma, Sargent, TD, Minister for Food. Front row (L to R) Sheila Reynolds, Nuala Rafferty, Aoife Carr, Niamh Lynn and Louise Devine haemachromatosis and other blood disorders. The numbers receiving the award have The money raised will go towards the purchase of a Flow Cytometer, which will steadily grown since it was first initiated enable rapid diagnosis of leukaemia, lymphoma and many other malignant diseases. in 1998. With more and more people eating out, the Happy Heart Catering Staff Benefit from Award is meeting the growing demand by the public for food that is both healthy Advanced Cardiac Course and delicious. As well as promoting better health in t is hoped that the care and development. the population, the award can provide service given to patients in the The course instructors hailed from companies with opportunities to promote Iacute hospital setting, and by the various disciplines across the north their business. By providing healthier emergency services, will be enhanced east region, providing a high level of food choices and paying attention to as a result of medical, nursing and knowledge, experience and expertise portion sizes, the award winning catering emergency medical technicians to the 19 participants - all of whom premises are also making it easier for recently attending an advanced successfully completed both practical customers to choose healthy options, cardiac life support providers’ course, and written examinations. which is a key objective of the National held in the Louth County Hospital. Louth County Hospital now plans Taskforce on Obesity report. This qualification provides health to hold this course bi-annually. It will The team in the North East, lead by Dr professionals with advanced be open to all relevant health care Nazih Eldin, Regional Health Promotion knowledge and skills in the area of professionals across the region, both in Officer – including the Environmental cardiovascular resuscitation. It is the the community and the hospital setting. Health Officers and Community Dietitians first time such a prestigious course For further information, please (L to R) : At the cheque presentation were – Nichola Harten, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Haematology Unit; Dr Patrick Thornton, Consultant Haematologist; Shay Smyth, General – will continue to promote this project has been held in the hospital and contact Dorothy Breathnach, Manager, Connolly Hospital; Gerry McGeehan, Christine Doyne, C&M Construction Ltd; among catering establishments in the marks a new beginning for ongoing Resuscitation Officer, Louth County and Clara Bannan, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Connolly Hospital North East. staff education and professional Hospital on tel: 042 933 4701.

=ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh p11 =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Improving Mental Health Services ‘Vision for Change’, the national policy document on Mental Health, published by the Department A of Health and Children, has been accepted by the HSE as the basis for developing Irish Mental Health Services for the next seven to ten years. It details a comprehensive model of mental health service provision for Ireland and describes a framework for building and fostering positive mental health across the entire community and for providing accessible, community based, specialist services for people with mental illness. There are 209 recommendations in the Vision for Change document, 80 per cent of which are addressed to the HSE for implementation, with the balance aimed at Government departments. The key priorities for the following year are as follows: Catchment Area The focus of the Transformation Programme is the delivery of services on a population basis. The recommendations of Vision for Change are predicated on the provision of services to a defined population. In the context of the development of Primary Care Teams and Health and Social Care Networks, it is important to align secondary and tertiary specialist mental health services with these population based approaches. This work is essential to the planning of specialist services and the interface of primary care and mental health service delivery at local level. The social care networks have been identified as part of the Transformation Programme and mental health catchment areas will be required to become co-terminus with these networks. Each mental health catchment area will be required to realign with health and social care networks and agree the population basis for specialist services. Mental Health Infrastructure Work is advancing nationally on the process of replacing the remaining psychiatric hospitals with a range of modern mental health services. The Government, in adopting the Vision as policy, gave a commitment that resources realised by the sale of land and property associated with the mental health services would be retained within the mental health services. PCCC will work closely with the Estates function in the teams to develop the multidisciplinary nature of their services and Intellectual Disabilities preparation of plans to replace the remaining psychiatric to provide a more comprehensive range of medical, psychological Significant work in planning the reconfiguration of mental health hospitals with more appropriate care alternatives. Delivery and social therapies to service users and families. services for people with an intellectual disability was undertaken on this commitment will take place over a number of years. The Vision for Change recommended that each Community in 2007, following the Report of the Forum on Mental Health Closure plans for existing psychiatric hospitals will be put Mental Health Team should include core skills of psychiatry, and Intellectual Disability. Each area will be required in 2008 to in place by the end of 2008 by the Local Health Managers nursing, social work, clinical psychology and occupational agree the reconfiguration necessary. As the majority of services and the Mental Health Management teams for the area. therapy, and that the composition and skill mix of each team for people with intellectual disability are provided by voluntary These closure plans will identify the resources required should be appropriate to the needs and socials circumstances of partners, these arrangements will require to be agreed and to relocate patients from existing psychiatric hospitals to its sector. developed jointly with them. appropriate community facilities. These must have regard to the preferences and the assessed needs of each individual. Child/Adolescent Services Information Systems Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services will be prioritised in Good quality information is required in order to demonstrate Community Focus 2008. This will include the provision of eight additional consultant service performance and to compete for additional resources. Vision for Change states that all individuals should have child and adolescent psychiatric teams, 18 additional inpatient Considerable work to identify the service and planning needs access to a comprehensive range of interventions in primary acute beds and the commencement of construction of two 20- of HSE provided services was completed in 2007, through care, together with the delivery of secondary care services bedded units in Galway and Cork. the advancement of the ICT Wisdom system, funded by the through specialist community mental health teams. The Waiting List Report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Health Research Board. In addition, a working group has been Within available resources, it is a priority to expand the Services, completed in 2007, will be utilised to develop a number established – with representatives from the HSE, the Department development of multidisciplinary community based mental of incentives to address waiting lists. In addition, each area will be of Health and Children and the Mental Health Commission – to health teams and to complete existing teams. required to benchmark funded consultant child psychiatric teams agree a Minimum Dataset to meet the requirements of each In addition, it is intended to support new and existing in place against the recommendations of Vision for Change’. agency. This work is progressing and will be completed in 2008. p12 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh Dublin Mid Leinster =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh New Primary Care Clinic Opens new Primary Care Clinic was opened in January provide services including ultrasound, antenatal, family in Ranelagh, uniquely modelled on the Primary planning, health screening and vaccination. The principal A Care Strategy. The clinic represents a true doctors in the practice are Dr Rosemary MacMahon, Dr medical centre in its provision of multidisciplinary services Philip MacMahon and Dr Knut Moe, who amalgamated by GPs, practice nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, their existing local practices to form the new practice. ophthalmologists, pharmacists, consultant doctors and the The Ranelagh Eye Clinic will form part of the new clinic. Ranelagh HSE Primary Care Team. It is the first medical eye treatment centre to be sited in a The Ranelagh HSE Primary Care team is one of the first primary care setting and deals with medical eye conditions Primary Care Teams to be established in Dublin South East, such as glaucoma, diabetes and acute eye conditions comprising Community Nursing Services, Physiotherapy, normally referred to a tertiary treatment centre. Minor (L to R) : Mary Kenny, General Manager and David Walsh, Local Health Manager, Dublin South East with Laverne McGuinness, National Director PCCC at the opening of the Occupational Therapists and Social Work Services. surgical eye procedures will be performed on site, as Ranelagh Primary Care Centre Officially launched the Minister for Health and Children, well as cataract pre and post operative care. The Medical Mary Harney, TD, the aim of the new clinic is to provide both Director of the eye clinic is Dr Kevin Tempany. of-hospital care in Ireland. The company was founded, and is managed, by public and private patients with improved and easier access Ranelagh Dental will cater for both public and private two doctors – Dr Ray Power and Dr Maurice Cox – with the aim of providing a to health and social care services within the community patients, in addition to add-on prosthedontic (implants), range of innovative and accessible healthcare services in local communities through an interdisciplinary team approach. Located on the orthodontic and cosmetic care through the use of senior and providing patients with more options for care in their local community. The Sandford Road, the clinic is a 7,500 foot squared practice and highly experienced consultants, including the lead company is involved in seven other GP Practices around Dublin and has also spread over three floors, with a total of 18 consulting rooms dentist, Dr Hilary Garvey. set up three ‘Urgent Care Clinics’ in partnership with the VHI (VHI SwiftCare plus office space. The catalyst for the development of the Ranelagh Clinics). The Company also has a health screening practice called ‘The Well’ at The Ranelagh Medical Clinic will serve the local Clinic is Centric Health, a primary health care company the Beacon Consultants Clinic, an Occupational Medical Practice (‘The Well at community with five GPs and practice nurses who will with an established track record of providing quality out- Work’) and radiology services. Client Art: Enriching Our Working Lives t all began with the display of a large Iillustration of a peacock on the wall in one of the NHO offices in Stewarts Hospital in Palmerstown. The artist (L to R) : At the launch of a history of St Luke’s Hospital – Professor Tom Keane, interim Director of the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme, who launched the book; was one of the patients of the Louise McMahon, HSE Hospital Network Manager and Derry O’Donovan, Vice- hospital. This set off a trend Chairman, St Luke’s Hospital to allow patients’ artwork to adorn the reception area and some other offices in the hospital. St Luke’s Hospital: We’ve discovered for ourselves some of the benefits derived from displaying client Subject of New Book art in our office areas. These include improvements in history of St Luke’s Hospital in and tranquil, therapeutic environment, our working environment south Dublin, the only hospital can support a wide range of by brightening up the areas A exclusively dealing with complementary care for patients concerned. The artwork has cancer since 1954, has recently been receiving treatment at the specialist also proved to be a great ‘ice- published entitled, A Haven in Rathgar. cancer care centres being developed. breaker’ for people attending The hospital was originally We are working jointly with the Friends meetings who may not have established by Dr Noel Browne to be of St Luke’s and former patients to met each other before. the national ‘centre of excellence’ for achieve that outcome.” The clients of Stewarts all cancer treatments. A Haven in Rathgar is written by Hospital themselves are Drawing on the reminiscences of Tony Farmar, publisher and social delighted to see their works some of the hundreds of thousands of history writer. Farmar’s previous on show. At our celebration patients and their families, the book medical histories include Holles Street in early November, it was describes the changing experience of 1895-1995 and Patients, Potions and quite evident that a simple cancer in Ireland. Physicians – a social history of Irish process that started with a At the launch, St Luke’s Chairman, medicine since 1650 . Other books peacock (usually an omen of Padraic White, said: “St Luke’s has include Ordinary Lives and Believing in bad luck!) has ended in good succeeded in achieving a rare double. Action, a history of Concern. news all round.” It combines technical excellence in the Priced `20, A Haven in Rathgar is For more information, please delivery of radiation treatment with an available from all major bookshops contact Monica McGill at the outstanding level of patient care and or direct from the Friends of St Luke’s HSE, Mill Lane, Palmerstown, devotion. We believe that this ‘haven on tel: 01 406 5314 or via the website: Dublin 20 in Rathgar’, with its many facilities, www.friendsofstlukes.ie

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Staff Learn New Skills Online he HSE Learning Centre, an Kenny, said the centre’s core aim was north west. T online learning forum available to help make the acquisition of new Dr Maureen Murphy, the centre’s free to HSE staff, was recently knowledge and skills more readily learning and development advisor launched recently by Dr Jimmy available to all HSE staff. from Aurion Learning, demonstrated Devins TD, Minister of State at the In video presentations, HSE the ‘Learning Needs Assessment Tool’, Department of Health and Children. Board member, Professor Niamh the online ‘Personal Development The centre, which has more Brennan and Dr Mike Pedlar, Portfolio’ and the range of learning (L to R) : Martin McDonald, National Director than 8,000 registered users, can Henley Management College, spoke programmes available. (L to R) : Tony Liston; Winifred Ryan; of Human Resources and Mr Jimmy Devins, be accessed via the HSE’s national about the importance of learning During the launch, the audience Pat Kenny and Dr Maureen Murphy, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Aurion Learning Health and Children intranet or over the Internet: www. and development in transforming was invited to web conference live hseland.ie. It delivers high quality organisations. to a learning and development online learning programmes and Dr Anne-Marie Ryan highlighted specialist from Belfast. This feature support tools in a simple, easy to use the work undertaken by the centre demonstrated how the centre environment that is secure, password in the design and hosting of the can support HSE teams who are protected and available 24 hours a day. new An Bord Altranais Medications interested in using technology for Dr Devins said the centre team Management programme. collaborative learning and working had adopted an innovative approach Winnie Ryan, Project Manager online. to the delivery and management with the National Hospitals Office, A number of learners from around of learning. He highlighted the link explained how the centre had the country shared their experience between a professionally trained facilitated the development of three on how the learning centre has workforce and the delivery of a high interactive learning programmes in supported their personal and quality service to patients. the areas of Records Management, professional development. Martin McDonald, HSE National Decontamination and Healthcare Why not register and logon now to Director of Human Resources, said Acquired Infection. the Learning Centre? A whole world of the centre was a key facilitator in the Paula Kavanagh, HSE West, said learning awaits you online. development of the HSE as a learning the centre has supported her team’s Access it via the intranet (http:// organisation. work on a Practice Development site hsenet.hse.ie) or on the internet (L to R) : Aine McHugh, School of Nursing & Midwifery, UCD; Christine Hughes, National National eLearning manager, Pat for Care of the Aged Services in the (www.hseland.ie) Council for Nursing & Midwifery and Paula Kavanagh, Nursing Informatics Officer, Donegal Setting Goals for the Future ollowing a request by the Board, and in line with best practice, a > Ensure a responsive management process within directorates to integration between Hospital and Community and better use F consistent and coherent process, Performance Planning and deal with issues that may arise as the year progresses. of resources. Review (PPR), is now being rolled-out to provide managers and > Integrate performance metrics into control process 4.4 Primary Care Teams staff with an integrated approach to goal setting for both teams and > Implement National Financial Regulations > Ensure 97 Primary Care Teams which are holding clinical meetings individuals. > Deliver VFM targets as per service plan. are fully operational. Building on the benefits of Team Based Performance Management > Commence the implementation of an additional 100 PCT’s. (TBPM) and the learning gained and feedback received from those 3. People > Create public awareness of PCT’s in each area. using TBPM, this engagement process assists managers and staff with 3.1 Management Performance 4.5 Clinical Engagement goal clarity, goal-setting, and regular monitoring of service delivery. Implement a Performance Planning & Review process in line with Build clinical engagement and involvement into HSE operational & PPR provides a clear line of sight between what a staff member does agreed HSE guidelines. Complete Step1 Goal Setting in line with strategic processes at local & corporate levels. on a daily basis and how this contributes to the goals of the HSE. The the timetable in January 2008. 4.6 Elderly/ Medical Assessment Units Senior Management Team has already set its key result areas and goals 3.2 Employee Engagement & Morale Implement a strategy to ensure that Medical Assessment Units are (see below) using the PPR system and the process is now cascading > Improve Employee Engagement & Morale by ensuring National in place in the top 20 Hospitals within next 2 years. downwards. Directors hold monthly staff briefings and engagement sessions 4.7 Mental Health A guide for managers and staff, the goal-setting template and other with their teams/direct reports and conduct an employee Deliver Vision for Change action plans and implement in six key support materials are available on the HSE intranet (http://hsenet.hse.ie). engagement survey by end Q1 2008. priority areas. > Communication Brief to be agreed at monthly Management Team HSE Corporate Key Result Areas (KRA) and Goals for 2008 Meeting to facilitate on going communication on services 5: Corporate Development: 3.3 Employment Strategy 5.1. Corporate Quality & Safety (Risk) Key Result Areas Align the HSE’s Employment Strategy and plans with the Embed HSE protocols for Quality & Risk in all service areas & GOALS organisation’s goals. settings. 1. Service Delivery/Operations: 3.4 Absenteeism 5.2. Serious Untoward Incident (SUI) 1.1 Access and quality Reduce absenteeism figures by 10 per cent. > Put in place Serious Untoward Incident Policy & Procedures Improve patient access and experience by reducing waiting 3.5 Leadership urgently which is to be reviewed at end of 2008. times in: Emergency Departments; outpatients and community Ensure the successful implementation of the Leadership > Populate Risk Template and implement immediately. therapies, especially child psychiatry and speech & language Development Programme (LDP) across the organisation. 5.3. Media Management: 1.2 Service Plan commitments > Proactively manage and engage with all Media to balance the Deliver all NHO & PCCC service commitments outlined in the 2008 4. Transformation & Change: negative perceptions of HSE in a deliberate manner. Service Plan by monitoring and reporting performance on a 4.1 Integrated & seamless delivery of care > Engage clinicians to support media engagement monthly basis using: The Performance Monitoring Report; > Define, agree and implement greater levels of integrated care 5.4. Internal Communications: Corporate Performance Measures and Operational Metrics. across all areas while at the same time safeguard every day > Implement an internal communication strategy to enable effective 1.3 Infection delivery of services. 2 way communications at all levels Reduce prevalence of Health Care Acquired Infections by meeting > Complete Programmes 1 – 4 planning and design phases. > Communication Brief to be agreed at monthly Management Team agreed targets. Commence implementation on identified sites. Meeting to facilitate on going communication on services 4.2 Cancer Strategy > Agree Metrics to measure staff satisfaction with organisational. 2. Financial Management Consolidate the agreed cancer strategy in eight Centres of communication. 2.1 . HSE Budget & Vote 2008 Excellence and ensure 80 per cent of surgery is carried out in 5.5. Stakeholder Management: > Complete the planning process at Level 2 as set out in the the eight Centres by 2008/09 Pro-actively engage with key stakeholder groups by assigning a Service Plan, including financial targets for the year for each 4.3 North East: HSE staff member to have responsibility for the relationship. business area. > Complete detailed planning and design for initial phase of the > Ensure that each budget holder knows their budget and North East Transformation Programme. Incentivise above KRAs and identify Metrics & Measures manages against it. > Start implementing key initiatives that focus on safety, access, to assess progress p14 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh New Vaccine Delivery System Improves Safety and Reduces Costs

he HSE’s National Immunisation Office (NIO) is range (between 20-80˚C) and that they are delivered T responsible for supplying and distributing all of the direct to their destination each month. It also reduces the vaccines that are used by GPs and HSE staff to protect inconvenience for GP practice staff in having to collect Fresh Approach the population, through programmes like the universal supplies from their local Community Care head office. childhood immunisations, flu vaccine campaign and others. Aside from the quality issue, it has now been shown that A recent evaluation of this delivery system for vaccines has this increase in service has actually saved the system millions to Child Protection shown an increase in quality of service, along with savings of of euro over the last two years. The annual cost of vaccines millions of euro in costs over the last three years. has dropped from just under E19m in 2004, to just over hose working in the area of child protection are being Vaccines must be kept within a specific temperature range E14m in 2007. This is even more remarkable when we consider T encouraged to learn more about another approach to their or they lose their potency. Ensuring that quality vaccines are that, over that period, uptake of vaccines have increased. The work – one that looks at the strengths of the family as a provided safely to clients is one of the main concerns of the NIO now supplies to hospitals and entirely new immunisations whole, while at the same time remaining focused on child safety. NIO. However, in the past, the system for delivery of vaccines have been included in the standard programmes, such as the Paul Harrison, National Specialist, Children’s Services, Office of the to GPs, hospitals and health centres was not ideal. Vaccines new HiB Booster vaccine. It also includes the 100,000 extra flu CEO, maintains that the Differential Response Model (DRM) offers a were ordered centrally, then delivered to the former Health vaccines that have been purchased in both 2006 and 2007. fresh approach to responding to reports of child abuse and neglect. Boards who, in turn, delivered to Community Care Dr Kevin Kelleher, Assistant National Director of He explains that the model emerged from a realisation, particularly headquarters, where supplies would be collected by the Population Health – Health Protection said that he was in the USA, that there has been an over reliance on forensic-style various GPs and services who required them. glad to see this improvement in quality and safety for the investigations in the area of child protection. DRM takes a step back In 2005, the HSE introduced a new National Cold Chain vaccine chain. He commented: “This initiative has been a from such traditional investigative interventions. Delivery Service which, for the last two years, has been success, thanks to the commitment of the National DRM focuses, not only on protecting children from harm, but delivering temperature controlled vaccines in refrigerated Immunisation Office staff, assisted greatly by colleagues in also on improving child and family wellbeing by improving child vans directly to over 2,000 GPs, hospitals and health centres. Procurement. It is fascinating to see how streamlining and functioning and strengthening the family’s capacity to cope. This is a vast improvement on the previous arrangements – it consolidating our work has resulted in the twin benefits of This approach seeks to intervene earlier than in traditional child ensures that vaccines are kept in the correct temperature better quality and less cost.” protection cases. This is in response to a realisation that many cases referred to child protection services are screened out at an early stage, where the threshold of severity was not considered to have been met. Many of these screened out cases then end up being re-referred, often when things have deteriorated for the Centralisation of HSE Garda Vetting Process family. Therefore, DRM seeks to become involved in cases of low to moderate risk, concentrating on overall family welfare rather than he HR Shared Services Garda Vetting Liaison Office arranged in 2006/2007 in all HSE areas as part of the any particular adverse incident or event. T (GVLO) was established – in line with the HSE centralisation process. At the sessions, managers were Another feature of DRM is that it relies upon the cooperation of Transformation Programme – in Manorhamilton two asked to be vigilant when dealing with information voluntary organisations and community groups. Rather than having years ago. provided by candidates, and also to quality check child protection cases being passed on to the statutory services, The main role of the HSE GVLO includes the routing of all information provided by candidates, questioning if DRM encourages non-statutory services to remain involved, taking Garda Vetting Forms (for prospective employees of the HSE) information has been omitted from a candidate’s Garda a key-worker role where appropriate. directly to the Garda Central Vetting Unit in Thurles; the vetting form. Managers are also asked to notify the GVLO For those interested in learning more about DRM, a discussion provision of advice, support and awareness training for HSE if they have any concerns in relation to the Garda Vetting paper is currently available on request via email: seamus.mannion@ staff in relation to Garda clearance issues; the maintenance information that a candidate provides to them. hse.ie . In addition, related articles and links are available at www. of a central database and secure storage of all candidate The importance of complying with the ‘Garda Vetting americanhumane.org Garda vetting information and ensuring a consistency in Policy’ was also reiterated to at the sessions. Further Garda decisions taken regarding employment of prospective Vetting Awareness training sessions for all staff who are candidates with unsatisfactory Garda vetting reports. involved in recruitment will take place later this year. The HSE GVLO has also worked closely with the Garda The staff who work in the GVLO are very much aware Central Vetting Unit to develop ‘Best Practice Garda Vetting of the importance of their role in the recruitment process, Procedures’, which include: but experience has shown that all other areas of the recruitment process are also of vital importance, such as > > Quality checking information provided by candidates; ID checks, qualifications checks, references, etc. > Procedure for how to deal with information on an The GVLO were delighted to receive the HSE West individual’s Garda vetting disclosure; Achievement Award for ‘Reconfiguration: Major Changes > Procedure for handling ‘disputes’ from candidates in to Existing Approaches’ in November of last year for the relation to his/her Garda vetting information. work carried out in the restructuring of the Garda vetting process. In the future, it is envisaged that the HSE GVLO will The document, ‘A Guide to the HSE Garda Vetting work with the Garda Central Vetting Unit in order to Process for Employment Purposes’ is available to all strengthen procedures in relation to overseas clearances staff on the HSE Intranet. This guide includes the ‘Garda and to possibly develop a plan for the secure electronic Vetting Policy’, ‘Garda Vetting Form’ and all relevant communication of Garda vetting information between documentation needed by those involved in recruitment the HSE and the Garda Vetting Service. The scope for of staff. expanding the screening role of the GVLO will also be If you have any queries, or need advice in relation to the (L to R) : Mary Kelly, who retired as Head of Workforce Planning further examined this year. HR Garda vetting process, please tel: 071 982 0422 or e- in November of last year, is presented with a gift from her work ‘Garda Vetting Awareness’ training sessions were mail: [email protected]. colleagues by Martin McDonald, National Director of Human Resources, at a function to mark her retirement from the HSE

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n order to meet the expanding community Consistent with I increasing demand for based services so that the HSE’s Strategy health care and to deliver public can access care The concept of the Integrated better quality care, the Acute more conveniently and Health System, as set out in the Hospital Bed Capacity Review closer to home; review, is consistent with the has recommended that Ireland’s > With practice and process HSE’s current strategy to make public health service move to a changes, existing hospital it easier for people to access community and day case based facilities would be able to services, building up primary, system that is more consistent deliver care to far more community and long term with international best practice. patients – this could reduce care services and developing It says the current approach waiting times. services for chronic disease is over reliant on acute hospitals management. to provide care and is not in the Commenting on the review’s With an Integrated Health interest of patients. findings, Professor Brendan System, patients should get The HSE commissioned the Drumm, CEO of the HSE said in, through and out of the review of acute hospital bed that modernising hospital health service more quickly. capacity up to the year 2020. practices was essential. He The majority of care should be It involved a comprehensive said: “To develop a world provided through community stakeholder consultation class health system, we have based facilities and appropriate exercise, including over 120 to replace outdated practices day case procedures. People Irish and 20 international health with modern ways of doing would then spend less time in experts. things that reflect the needs hospital and more time being Carried out by PA Consulting, of patients.” cared for in their communities the review recommended that He said that clinicians or in their own homes. This Ireland develop an Integrated (doctors, consultants, nurses approach also promotes greater Health System (also known as and therapists) would play an accountability, transparency and the ‘Preferred Health System’). essential role in leading this value for money. The review maintains that this change. “The review tells us provides the right balance for that more resources are not patients between inpatient, the only answer to improving day case and community access and reducing waiting based care. times. Hospitals can reduce waiting times by simply Main Findings modernising the way staff Some of the review’s main manage the passage of findings include: patients in and through their hospitals, as is consistently > Many patients are being achieved in other hospital unnecessarily admitted or systems,” he said. kept in hospital for too long; The review emphasises > To meet the 60 per that hospital stays should centincrease in demand for be minimised as they can health care expected during be disruptive to families, the next 12 years, Ireland must inconvenient for patients, tackle reduce its over reliance increase the risk of infection, on acute hospitals, which is in addition to having a out of step with international negative impact on important best practice; social networks and a > Spending should be possible delay in recovery, rebalanced in favour of especially for elderly people. p16 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh

Other findings The review also highlighted the following:

> The average length of stay in an Irish hospital is comparatively long - some 37 per cent of total inpatient beds are used by patients who, in Australia, would no longer be expected to be in hospital; > Irish hospitals still predominantly operate Monday-Friday, discharging three times more patients on these days rather than on Saturday or Sunday. The absence of discharge planning in line with normal practice in advanced health care systems unnecessarily extends hospital stays; > More than half of surgical inpatients are admitted the day before surgery – the practice in most other countries is admission on the day of surgery; > There are delays in the current system with accessing test results, with many patients admitted for tests that they could have had as outpatients; > Ireland’s day case rate is 12 per cent below the OECD average, and less than half that of Canada. If Ireland performed as well as Canada, some 338,000 more patients could be treated as day patients; The Integrated Health System would see:

> A reduction in the number of Emergency Department admissions, as more patients would be treated within the community, in Medical Assessment Units and outpatient clinics; > An increase in the number of patients treated as day cases; > A reduction in the average length of stay of inpatients as Ireland moves towards best international practice in terms of length of stay; Impact on bed demand > An increase in the number of non-acute, therapy and rehabilitation beds; According to the review, in addition to delivering a better service, better outcomes and better value, the > A greater emphasis on hospital discharge planning. development of a fully Integrated Health System would impact on the demand for public patient beds > Better service, better outcomes and better value, using less acute beds than exist today. by 2020. There are currently 11,660 public beds in public hospitals. In addition, there are nearly 4,400 private In conclusion, Ireland must now choose the health care system it wants. The demand for public beds (2,461 in public hospitals and 1,926 in private hospitals). If the modern hospital practices and patient hospital acute beds in 2020 will differ significantly depending on that decision. processes which already operate in some Irish hospitals, and are the norm in health services around the world, operated in all Irish hospitals, patients could get a better service with less public patient beds than currently exist. For example, countries such as Australia, UK, Finland, Denmark and Canada could treat the same number of patients as Ireland treats today with between 2,000 and 5,000 less public patient beds. However, because the Integrated Health System does not yet operate universally in Ireland, there are stresses on the existing public health system. To meet these stresses, based on the current practices and processes, a further 1,118 hospital beds are required today. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to provide 1,500 extra acute beds over the next few years through the co- location initiative (about 1,000 beds) and the HSE capital plan (about 450 beds). If current practices and processes continue - and there is not the appropriate investment in community based facilities - the demand for public patient hospital beds would reach nearly 20,000 by 2020. This would require capital investment of around E4b in new hospitals. Ireland would need to open a new 600 bed hospital (similar in size to some of our largest hospitals such as Tallaght Hospital, University College Hospital Galway and Cork University Hospital) every year for the next 12 years. Even with this unprecedented investment, patients would not receive the best care or outcomes and taxpayers would not be getting the best return for their health investment. However, as an alternative, the Integrated Health System would see an expansion of community services and day cases as standard, with the role of acute hospitals and the configuration of beds adjusting accordingly. For instance: the number of single bedrooms would increase; the number of day case beds would double; the number of medical assessment units would triple and the number of critical care beds would increase by 25% There would also be a reduction in acute inpatient beds, as patients would be treated in more appropriate settings, including their own homes. The net impact? If the Integrated Health System was 100 per cent operational, Ireland would need just 8,834 public inpatient acute beds in 2020. The result would be a much more sophisticated mix in our acute hospital bed stock that would better match the increasing complexity of acute care needs, which is likely to continue on into the future. In addition, a continual programme of refurbishment and modernisation of acute inpatient beds would be needed. Coupled with a significant expansion in the range and volume of community based services, the demand for additional long term care, continuing care, therapy and rehabilitation beds would reach 10,000. Presenting the Integrated Health System

The Steering Group (SG) of the Forum on the Health Sector, chaired by Mr Dermot McCarthy, Secretary General, Department of An Taoiseach, met in January. Participants included representatives from the HSE, ICTU, SIPTU, IHCA, IMO and the Departments of Health and Children and Finance. The HSE’s delegation included management and clinicians (including Professor Declan Lyons and Dr Garry Courtney). Through a series of presentations, the HSE outlined the Integrated Health System and this was supported by a presentation on the Acute Hospital Bed Capacity Review. There was also a presentation of the North East Transformation Programme. The presentations were followed by a constructive discussion on the specific challenges facing the health service, in terms of work practices and where the Forum may be in a position to support change. Further meetings of the SG were held in February and March, at which the HSE presented more specific details on the kinds of work practice changes that would support the Transformation Programme, along with a series of presentations from more than 20 health professionals. The HSE was also invited to make a presentation on the Integrated Health System to the Towards 2016 Social Partners, including businesses/employers, trade unions, farming, community and voluntary sectors. This was well received by participants.

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Innovative Support for children with Autism

wo Clinical Nurse Specialists - Catherine Berkeley and TMonica Flynn - have co- authored a research article about the benefits of Marte Meo, a video- based interaction programme, in supporting children with autism. Catherine and Monica, who are based in Kildare, are attached to Beechpark Services in south Dublin which caters for children with First Children’s Hospital to autism throughout Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. A number of clinicians in the service are registered and are practising Marte Meo therapists. Join HfH Programme The Marte Meo programme looks at both the child’s strengths and Ann Farrelly with her sons and daughter, talk to RTE presenter, Bryan Dobson, about the sad loss of son and brother Conor. They are pictured at the launch of the first Children’s HfH the parent’s strengths. Through the programme at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin use of film, the therapist highlights to the parents those strengths and anuary saw the launch of the first Children’s Hospice friendly Hospitals > The provision of special bags for children’s belongings. how they, as parents, support their J(HfH) Programme which is being implemented at Our Lady’s Children’s child’s development. The family Hospital, Crumlin. The Programme will improve the culture and care “Despite significant advances in the care of children, the sad reality remains is filmed at home in two different regarding death, dying and bereavement (DDB) issues as they affect children, that it is not possible to save the lives of all the children who attend Our situations - a structured situation their parents and the hospital’s staff. Lady’s,” said Frank Feely, Deputy Chairman, Board of Directors at Our Lady’s. and also a free play situation, lasting Our Lady’s is the only children’s hospital amongst the 40 hospitals “Each year, over 135 children who are patients of the hospital die. Almost about five minutes in each situation. participating in the HfH Programme. The programme - run by the Irish Hospice half of these children die while an inpatient at the hospital, and hospital staff Through the use of interactional Foundation, with the support of the HSE, HIQA and Atlantic Philanthropies - provide direct support to families to help them fulfil their wish, that their child analysis, the therapist then analyses aims to put hospice principles into hospital practice. dies at home. With the help of the HfH programme, the staff at Our Lady’s the film and returns with work Speaking at the launch, Sharon Hayden, Deputy Director of Nursing and aim to ensure that the children [and their families] are always treated in a points to commence the process of Chairperson of the DDB Committee said: “The death of a child is the most tragic coordinated, caring, careful way by all of the hospital’s services.” answering the parent’s question. and devastating experience that a parent/guardian will deal with in life. As Eugene Murray, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation, stated: “We are The research found that, with the healthcare professionals, this is the most challenging experience that we will delighted that Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, is one of the 40 Marte Meo method, children with meet in caring for a sick child and their family.” hospitals involved in phase one of this groundbreaking programme. An Autism were supported to become According to Ms Hayden, Our Lady’s is implementing a comprehensive action estimated 1,369 Irish children live with life limiting illnesses. An average of more socially aware of people plan to enhance how it deals with bereavement issues at the hospital. The plan between 536 and 592 children die each year prior to their 18th birthday. We and events around them in their includes: know from research that the home is the preferred place of care and for the own environment. Listening skills death of a child, but many children die in our hospitals. The role of the Hospice improved and the children involved > Communications training for staff on dealing with bad news (Our Lady’s is the Friendly Hospitals Programme is to ensure that all deaths, including those began to better comprehend the first hospital to commence training); of children, are as dignified and comfortable as possible for them and their dynamics of group situations. > The examination of multicultural aspects - how staff of different nationalities families.” Some of the boys were able to and religions respond to death; Lorcan Birthistle, Chief Executive at Our Lady’s said: “The staff at Our Lady’s join in and play in a group situation. > The reorganisation of bereavement services and planning of bereavement days; are very committed about this initiative. We are determined to ensure that They were also better able to > The establishment of a multi-disciplinary staff committee, including patient/ children who are very sick, and at final phase of their life, die with dignity understand the unwritten rules of family representatives; and comfort. All of their needs must - and will - be met and their concerns give and take in a play situation. The > The coordination of end-of-life services; and wishes heard. I would like to thank the Irish Hospice Foundation for their children’s expressive language also > The development of more privacy areas for families to be together within the ongoing support to this hospital and their generous contribution to facilities at developed and improved. hospital. the hospital.” The authors concluded that the overall findings from their research were very positive about Marte Meo and how it supports the social HSE Awards Scholarships to Registrars communication within the family setting for a child with Autism. he HSE has awarded scholarships – ‘The Dr Richard Steevens Scholarships’ Shields, RCSI - Inflammatory bowel disease & colorectal cancer surgery, Hôpital T - to eight Specialist Registrars under its newly established programme of Beaujon, Clichy & Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France; Graham Roche-Nagel, RCSI training abroad for Specialist Registrars and Senior Registrars. - Endovascular Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, Canada. The programme builds on the strong tradition of Irish doctors travelling overseas to The following are the details of the awards made for 2008: Mick Molloy, RCSI gain the knowledge and expertise available in major centres of excellence abroad. – Disaster Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Centre / Harvard Medical The HSE sees this programme as an important method of ensuring that our doctors School, USA; Brian Manning, RCSI – Endovascular Surgery, University of Malmo, maximise the expertise available in other countries and bring their knowledge and Sweden; Paul Eoin Cotter, RCPI – Stroke Medicine, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, skills back to the Irish health service. Cambridge, UK; Bryan Whelan, RCPI – Inflammatory Muscle Disease, Centre of The period of training abroad is funded by the HSE for a maximum period of 12 Rheumatology, University College London, UK. months per trainee - they are required to return on completion of their training. The programme will run for an initial period of four years. As part of the initial Funding for the programme is provided through the Department of Health and launch of the first year, the HSE awarded bursaries to three highly recommended Children. The programme is open to specialist registrars in all specialties and is trainees: Marcus Timlin (RCSI, Spinal Surgery), Gordon Smyth (RCSI, Laparoscopic aimed at training in novel areas of medicine and patient care which will enrich the Urological Oncology) and Camilla Murtagh (RCPI, Palliative Medicine). (L to R) : Catherine Berkeley and Irish health service and for which training is unavailable or limited in Ireland. A call for applicants for scholarship funding in 2009 will be issued by the HSE Monica Flynn, two Clinical Nurse The following are the details of the awards made for 2007: Ronan Cahill, RCSI later in the year through the Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies. Specialists who have co-authored a research article about the benefits of - Laparoscopic Surgery, IRCAD/EITS Institute, Strasbourg, France; Fionnuala This programme is one of a number of developments in medical education and Marte Meo, a video-based interaction Breathnach, Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists - Maternal Fetal Medicine, training being funded by Government and being instigated by the HSE, via its programme, in supporting children Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA; Conor METR Unit, arising from the implementation of the Fottrell and Buttimer Reports. with Autism p18 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh West =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh

Autism Study Probes Parents’ Needs group of speech and language therapists in Co Mayo have recently completed their second A study into the diagnosis of Autism. This study involved interviewing parents to obtain their perspective on having a child diagnosed with autism and to hear their suggestions to further enhance the service. The first study, which was carried also out by the speech and language therapists, alongside psychologists, looked at how local professionals viewed the service they give to clients with Autism and their parents. This study found that the service in Co Mayo compared favourably with international practice. The most recent study was funded by a grant from the National Disability Authority’s Research Promotion Scheme and was undertaken with assistance from the Speech and Language Therapists Department at National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). One of the most revealing findings was the need expressed by several parents for more support and information during, and immediately after, receiving a diagnosis of Autism. As a result of this study, the speech Student Cycle Supports and language therapists involved are also supporting the recommendations by parents that screening for Autism be carried out at developmental check ups. The study found that best practice guidelines for New Mental Health Service informing parents of their child’s disability, presently At the launch of the Maynooth Students for Charity cycle are (L to R) : John Fitzmaurice, Manager, Jigsaw project; Deirdre McHugh, Organising Committee, Galway being developed by the National Federation of Voluntary Cycle; Alex MacLean, Acting General Manager, Galway PCCC; Priya Prendergast, Local Health Manager Galway. On tandem (L to R) : Declan Farrell, member of the Jigsaw Project Team and representative of the Galway business community and Adrian Ahern, Manager, Galway Mental Health Services Bodies, should be adopted locally. Information packs, as recommended by the Western Health Board in 2004, new service for young people experiencing mental health lifetime, the first onset of this begins between the ages of 12-25 years. should always be made available to parents. It is also A difficulties is to benefit from the proceeds of this year’s Early intervention has been shown to have a high success rate, and important that contact be maintained with the family annual ‘Maynooth Students for Charity’ cycle. On the first investing in the mental health of young people represents the most until the intervention team takes over. weekend in April, up to 100 cyclists, along with 70 collectors and cost effective action to prevent the continuous increase of mental Over 80 per cent of parents interviewed expressed a support crew, will cycle the round trip journey of 400 kms from health problems in all age groups.” satisfaction with the service they had received from Maynooth to Galway in order to raise money for the project. “As well as the service in Galway city, we will have an outreach Primary, Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) staff Funding from the cycle is to be used towards Headstrong’s ‘Jigsaw’ component whereby young people living in rural areas can access in HSE West while their children were being diagnosed initiative at Mary Street in Galway, which aims to establish a drop-in supports in their own community. This initiative is the first of its kind with Autism. service to engage with young people experiencing mental health in the country and will set the standard upon which others will be difficulties. modelled.” Headstrong, the national centre for youth mental health, is an For the past 20 years, the Maynooth Students for Charity have independent, non-profit organisation and a registered charity that organised the annual cycle from Maynooth to Galway, which has aims to empower communities to support young people in Ireland to successfully helped numerous worthy charities. Local Galway Long Service achieve improved mental health and wellbeing. The ‘Jigsaw’ project is businesses and communities, in addition to hundreds of fundraisers a partnership between the HSE in Galway, Headstrong, local Galway living outside Galway, are being asked to support this year’s event Awards businesses, community leaders and young people. in April. John Fitzmaurice, of the Jigsaw Project, said: “For 75 per cent For more information and to support the event, please log onto: of people who develop mental health problems throughout their www.galwaycycle.ie or contact John Fitzmaurice on tel: 087 797 0639. Presented

total of 41 staff from the HSE West’s Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, recently A received Long Service Awards in recognition for their long and dedicated service to the hospital. At the awards ceremony, Bridgetta McHugh, General Manager of Portiuncula Hospital said: “I am delighted to present these awards today, which I believe acknowledge the great work being carried out here at Portiuncula. While all our staff are deserving of praise, special congratulations is due to the 41 staff receiving the awards today, 12 of whom have given 25 years and 29 whom have given 10 years of continuous service to Portiuncula Hospital.” The ceremony was organised by the ‘Mission Effectiveness Team’, a team made up of staff from all departments throughout the hospital. At the ceremony, Sr Seraphina Weston, honourary founder member of Mission Effectiveness and its coordinator for the past 12 years, was thanked for laying a firm foundation for the continuation of the ministry of Mission Effectiveness. The Mission Effectiveness team focuses on maintaining the values of dignity, respect, justice and professionalism among patients and staff within the At Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, at the Long Service Awards, were: Front Row (L to R) : Colette Barett, Sr Seraphina, Mary Keegan-Hynes, Ita Kelly; hospital. Second Row (L to R) :: Marian Burke, Maeve Doherty, Bernie Maguire, Eileen Quinn; Third Row (L to R) : Christy Costello and Colm Kavanagh

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New Addition to Hospice Friendly Hospitals Celebrating

onnolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, recently launched its > Develop an improved overall culture and organisation in Irish Cparticipation in the national Hospice Friendly Hospitals hospitals and institutions of care regarding dying, death World Mental programme – the national programme aimed at improving and bereavement. all aspects of End of Life Care. The project is being undertaken by the Irish Hospice Foundation, Speaking at the launch, Mary Walshe, Director of Nursing at Health Day in partnership with the HSE and supported by the Health Connolly Hospital and Joint Chairperson of the Projects Standards Information and Quality Authority. There are 41 hospitals involved in Committee said: “With a multi-disciplinary approach, we hope multicultural open day was recently held at St Brendan’s the programme to date. The programme aims to: to bring the community and the hospital together to improve Hospital to mark World Mental Health Day. > Develop a comprehensive set of standards for all Irish hospitals our current standards to transfer the ethos and quality of care A The open day, which was organised by the consumer regarding dying, death and bereavement; of a hospice into an acute hospital. We hope to create a greater panel at St Brendan’s, in conjunction with Dublin North West > Assist in developing the capacity of acute and community consciousness among our staff in relation to End of Life Care.” Mental Health Services, incorporated food, music, dance, hospitals to introduce and sustain these standards; alternative therapies, fun and games from ten different countries. The clients and residents of St Brendan’s participated by making and displaying the national flags of the different countries. The past 12 months have been a very busy time for the consumer panel at St Brendan’s. The panel, who meet monthly, comprises patients, residents, service users and staff in conjunction with the Irish Advocacy Network. The purpose of the panel is to give all clients in St Brendan’s Hospital Mental Health Services a voice. Since the panel was established, they have invited feedback (through suggestion boxes) on all units and departments and have organised a variety of events for the clients and staff of the hospital, including the recent multicultural open day. St Brendan’s also recently won the ‘Best Artwork’ prize in the 2007 Lundbeck Art Awards, with a colourful six-piece group project entitled ‘Flowers’. This piece was originally exhibited in the Annual St Brendan’s Art Exhibition, ‘Expressions 2007’. The exhibition has grown and developed over the past 11 years with over 100 entries from St Brendan’s and Dublin North West Mental Health Services. In addition to the six main category prizes, each entrant received a certificate and a token of appreciation.

(L to R) : Helen Donovan, Standards Development Coordinator, Hospice Friendly Hospitals (HfH) Programme and Shelagh Twomey, Deputy Programme Manager, HfH Programme CAPSAT: Assisting

The Multi Cultural Open Day was captured by an art piece where everyone who attended left their thumb print on canvas to show that Adults with Disabilities “each person is equal but unique”

dults with physical and/or sensory disabilities living These sessions are a valuable outlet for peer support and A in the Clontarf area can now avail of a range of also provide education on topics such as knowing your Donation Made to specialised services provided by the Clontarf Adult entitlements, improving lifestyle management/coping skills, Physical and Sensory Ability Team (CAPSAT). communication skills, health issues and vocational and work CAPSAT is a community based multi-disciplinary team opportunities. Clients also have the opportunity to participate Cavan General Hospital which was developed by the HSE with the purpose of in individualised exercise plans. providing an integrated, client-centred approach to The team liaise closely with other agencies such as the assessment and therapeutic intervention. Central Remedial Clinic and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Intervention is primarily based in the service user’s For many of the service users, attending a day centre, home, but may also be community based or clinic based as returning to work or learning new work related skills is a appropriate. The service is cyclical in nature and provides a crucial personal goal. Crucially, CAPSAT also assists clients period of intensive intervention aimed at maximising function, in making links with others services, thereby providing followed by a review and additional intervention as required. opportunities to meet social, vocational or work related Improving quality of life and areas pertinent to clients needs. regarding their health and wellbeing is a central focus of The team consists of Barbara Mullally, Senior the team. When the individual is placed at the centre of Physiotherapist/Team Coordinator; Agnes Flynn, Public their own intervention plan, it is felt that the service user Health Nurse; Grainne McKenna, Senior Speech and experiences a real change for the better in his or her life as Language Therapist; Orla Deighan, Senior Occupational a result of their own plan being put into action. Working out Therapist and Valerie Moffatt, Principal Clinical Psychologist. a balance between what is important to the person and what The team work on a half-post basis and currently see clients Dr Khalid, Consultant Anesthetist, recently raised `1,105 for the Special Care Baby Unit in Cavan General Hospital and also for the Medicla ICU is important for their health and wellbeing is often a daily presenting with a range of medical conditions, including in Karachi in Pakistan from the sale of his paintings which he recently challenge for the team. Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Cord Injuries, exhibited. Pictured (L-R) Dermot Monaghan, General Manager, Cavan/ Monaghan Hospital; Paddy Phair, Administration; Eileen Ruddin, Senior Promoting positive mental and physical health is also a Progressive Ataxic conditions and Spina Bifida. Project Coordinator, Capital Planning and Transformation Programme; key aim of the team. In December, the team began offering For further information, please contact the Coordinator on Dr Alan Finan, Consultant Paediatrician and Dr Khalid, Consultant group and individual therapy sessions to CAPSAT clients. tel: 01 818 6467. Anesthetist.

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Wexford Infant Mental Health Catering: Leaders in in Ireland Pioneered by Hygiene he Catering Department at T Wexford General Hospital has achieved the ‘Sapphire Hygiene & Food Safety Accreditation Psychologists Award’ from the Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA) for their outstanding commitment to Hygiene nfant mental health is a concept still new to Ireland and has been pioneered by unlikely that depression exists before a baby is 18-24 months old. However, infants and Food Safety standards. I two clinical psychologists in HSE South, Catherine Maguire and Rochelle Matacz could suffer withdrawal.” He also said that, “…children whose mothers were depressed This significant award is who, together, have established Ireland’s first dedicated mental health service for could also withdraw. If a child remains withdrawn, they are at a high risk of developing a accredited to companies who adhere children under the age of three. depressive disorder later on”; to rigorous guidelines set down by According to Ms Matacz: “By focusing on the zero to three age group, we want to Hiram E. Fitzgerald PhD, University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at EIQA. The process involves a year- develop effective methods of prevention, early intervention, assessment and treatment Michigan State University and Director of the World Association for Infant Mental on-year audit of the premises and of developmental, social and emotional concerns involving infants and their families.” Health, who presented on ‘Connecting Early Childhood Outcomes to Policy and hygiene and food safety practices. Until recently, a baby or toddler was viewed as the passive recipient in the parent- Practice’; The EIQA Hygiene Programme child relationship. With this in mind, it was believed that just meeting the physical Linda Gilkerson, PhD, Professor at the Erikson Institute, Chicago, who presented provides official recognition needs of a baby, like changing its nappy or feeding it, was enough. We now know ‘Crying for Help: An Interdisciplinary Infant Mental Health Approach to Working with of consistent hygiene controls differently and it is becoming widely accepted that the baby or toddler is in fact an active Fussy Babies and Worried Parents’; implemented by businesses across participant in the caregiver-child relationship, showing initiatives from very early.” Deborah J. Weatherston, PhD, Executive Director of the Michigan Association for all industry sectors. In order to raise the awareness of mental health among those working with young Infant Mental Health, who gave a presentation entitled ‘Beginning With the Baby’; According to Teresa Hanrahan, children, Ireland’s first national conference on infant mental health was held in Cork at Donna R. Weston, PhD, University of Washington, whose presentation explored: General Manager of Wexford the end of 2007. More than 250 health professionals attended and listened to a number ‘Parents are their baby’s first relationship: but what does that mean?’. General Hospital: “The Catering of presentations from international experts, such as: The conference was funded by the Health Services National Partnership Forum with Department has a very proud Antoine Guedeney, a Paris-based Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, who support from the HSE South. Further details are available from Catherine Maguire via reputation for its quality of service gave a presentation on whether or not babies get depressed. According to him, “It is email at: [email protected] or Rochelle Matacz at: [email protected] and has worked over a number of years through the HACCP programme to achieve this award. We are delighted for all our catering staff that their hard work has borne St Finan’s fruit. The Catering Department, Wexford General Hospital, is Long one of the few hospital Catering Departments to achieve this award. Service The Catering Department has also achieved a ‘Happy Heart Award’ and Awards promotes healthy eating for both staff and patients. The Department Staff working in St Finan’s Hospital, will be audited again within the Killarney, were next year and we hope that they will honoured in January for having spent over continue to work hard to maintain 20 years in the service. their current standard and also to strive to achieve the next standard of excellence - the ‘Emerald Award’. Innovative Hand Hygiene Emotional Support Monitoring System Graduates Conferred for Cancer Patients erry General Hospital is achievement for Kerry General and the currently evaluating a new Cork based company Hymed Systems t a special ceremony held in Distress Management Service is being developed at Cork University K hand hygiene monitoring as the trial clinical site is already A Cork, 20 graduates received a Hospital to help cancer patients who may experience significant system which it trialled throughout the receiving worldwide interest.” certificate in Equality Studies A emotional distress, such as depression. hospital from November 2007 to March (Ageing and Older People) last According to Ann Bowler, CNM 2 Pycho-oncology: “Typically, patients referred of this year. December. to the service are those with emotional distress that is significant and impacting on During the trial, there was ongoing Ten of the Graduates are HSE staff function. Such patients may have an adjustment disorder, an anxiety disorder or education and training for staff while the others are representatives major depressive disorder.” including nurses, doctors, cleaners and of voluntary sector organisations in Led by Dr Eugene Cassidy, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, the service also treats support staff directly involved in patient North and South Lee PCCC. patients who have behavioural disturbance as part of an organic mental disorder (such care. Feedback from participants as delirium or dementia); suicidal ideation and/or behaviour or existing major mental Initial reports on the system are indicates that the course provided illness where there are concerns about current mental health and/or compliance with proving very positive. Preliminary opportunities to share learning and cancer treatment (such as a psychotic illness or bipolar affective disorder). findings are that the appliance designed experiences and to understand A comprehensive mental health assessment is carried out on all patients. Then to monitor and quantify hand hygiene equality from a theoretical perspective. they may be referred for further assessment and/or intervention by a colleague, compliance, using a fully automated HSE South supported the course, such as a psychiatrist. The follow-up involves providing brief supportive therapy and unobtrusive device, is having the while ‘Age and Opportunity’ brought on an inpatient or outpatient basis, as well as monitoring the patient’s response required impact with an increase in the their expertise and experience in to psychotropic medications. Patients may also be referred on to other existing use of hand hygiene compliance in all combating ageism to the course, with the design and delivery of course psychosocial services. Follow-up by the Mental Health Services is also arranged areas where the system is being trialled. Noreen O’ Sullivan, Clinical Nurse when necessary. According to the hospital’s general Manager 2 and Billy Donnolly, Healthcare content being led by UCD’s Equality manager, Margie Lynch: “This is a major worker check out the new system Studies Centre.

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Competitive Pricing for PCs and Laptops

udgets will go futher this year, thanks to use of a new Procurement B Framework Agreement for the purchase of PCs and laptops in the HSE. A Framework Agreement is an agreement with suppliers, the purpose of which is to establish the terms governing contracts to be awarded during a given period, particularly with regard to price and quantity. The Agreement means that the HSE is able to take advantage of extremely competitive pricing for the procurement of PCs and Notebooks, thus enabling budgets to go further. A Steering Group (SG), chaired by the Department of Finance, was established to devise and implement aggregated procurement for ICT Equipment and associated services and products. The group comprises representatives from the HSE; Civil Service Departments and The Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB). The benefits of this new Procurement Framework Agreement include:

> An easy-to-use, uniform method of procurement; > Centralised management and reporting; > Adherence to EU procurement regulations (frameworks ensure procurement methods adhere to current EU regulations); Improving Access > Value for money. Under the Framework Agreement, there are a number of purchase options available to the HSE and each ICT Department decides on the most appropriate option for their region. Contracts for the procurement of monochrome and color laser printers are also being made available. to Roma Population Other areas currently being considered by the SG are the procurement of ICT services and software licenses. (L to R) : Mayte Calvo (Coordinator), Rodica Lunca and Florica Muntean (both cultural mediators) at the EQUAL Closing Conference last October

t is hoped that members of the service providers to enhance their between two parties and assists them I Roma ethnic group will have understanding of the needs of their in reaching a common understanding, better access to health services Roma clients. and improved interaction. in Ireland as part of a new initiative. The training programme was The Development Partnership It is estimated that in excess of 3,000 provided by the Roma Cultural of the Roma Cultural Mediation people living here belong to the Mediation Project (RCMP) and was Project (RCMP) is made up of six Roma ethnic group, with the majority funded by the European Social Fund organisations including HSE, DCU, hailing from Romania and some from through the EQUAL Community Tallaght Intercultural Action, Access other eastern European countries. Initiative. The EQUAL Initiative Ireland, the Roma Support Group and The Roma initiative involves the has provided the RCMP with the the City of Dublin VEC. training of eight Roma people to work opportunity to test the cultural The RCMP aims to provide Roma alongside social workers and health mediation initiative in several settings, people with greater equality of service providers in order to respond including: the Rotunda Maternity access to health, social, educational to the needs of the Roma population Hospital; the Children’s University and probation services. The project currently living in Ireland. Hospital, Temple Street and a number also seeks to develop appropriate Each of the eight completed a 13 of health centres. A pilot project is professional skills and intercultural week training programme in ‘cultural currently being introduced in Temple competences among service mediation’ in a bid to improve the Street. providers. interaction of this specific ethnic Cultural mediation is a dynamic, For further information please group with health service providers continuous process through which a contact Mayte Calvo, Project Manager while, at the same time, aiding third party acts as a cultural broker via email: [email protected] Reducing the Social Isolation of Aphasic Patients Mental Health Cooperation special speech and language therapy project language therapy students are trained at Trinity College by new education course has been developed via a partnership A to help patients with aphasia is currently in its the group in some basic conversation tips to use when they A between representatives of the HSE and the School of Nursing second year and proving extremely successful. are communicating with aphasic patients. Students are at Dublin City University, in association with the International Aphasia is the loss of the ability to produce and/or matched to people in the community who have aphasia and Initiative for Mental Health Leadership. comprehend language, often due to stroke. Difficulties who are socially isolated as a result. The students visit this The course covers Cooperative Learning: Service Improvement include the inability to speak or write, or both, and the inability person every week for one hour. Leadership for Mental Health Service Users, Carers & Service Providers. to understand verbal communication or written text. This The students also attend a tutorial at one of the The HSE recognises the importance of service user and carer involvement impairment is extremely isolating for the person experiencing participating hospitals (Connolly, Mater or Beaumont in developing local mental health services and this approach is enshrined it. That is why a group of speech and language therapists have Hospitals) so that the speech and language therapists can in mental health policy. introduced a conversation partner project developed by the discuss and help them with any problems that might have The purpose of the course is to bring service users, carers/family charity, ‘Connect - the Communication Network’. arisen. members and service providers together in a joint learning environment; The group recruited people with aphasia to become Last year, 17 people with aphasia in the north Dublin for participants to understand the nature and practice of a cooperative trainers - primarily because they are the experts in their community had 9-10 hours of conversation that they might approach to leading change in healthcare organisations and for teams communication difficulties. The training focuses on not otherwise have had. The benefits across the board have (service user, service provider and carer) to instigate and lead service developing their skills in analysing conversations and in been significant. People with aphasia have reported an improvement in their local mental health service giving constructive tips about what helps when having a increase in confidence and have thoroughly enjoyed the For more information, please contact Líam Mac Gabhann via email: conversation with a person with aphasia. visits. The students also reported gaining great insight into [email protected] or tel: 01 700 8805 As part of this programme, first year speech and what it might be like to live life with aphasia. p22 =ZVai]bViiZgh L^ciZg '%%, L^ciZg '%%, =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Improving Efficiency in Hospitals

he Hospital of the Future project including a report launched recently some evidence-based insights that The project is overseen by a Project is a joint research project by the Minister for Labour Affairs, Billy can inform the policies and practices of Steering Committee, chaired by Dr Ruth T between the National Centre Kelleher, TD, which shows compelling management, unions and employees Barrington. The Steering Committee for Partnership and Performance evidence from the private sector that within the hospital system,” he said. has representatives of the following (NCPP) and the Health Services the use of strategic HR and workplace A team of eminent research organisations: HSE; Health Service National Partnership Forum (HSNPF), partnership-type practices contributes consultants has been appointed to National Partnership Forum; National supported by the HSE and health sector to reduced staff turnover and increases the project. The consortium includes Centre for Partnership and Performance; representative organisations. in productivity and innovation. Professor Peter Totterdill, who has Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals; The project forms part of a research While there is some international extensive research and consultancy the Irish Nurses Organisation; SIPTU; series that is underway in the NCPP research evidence that employee experience in the UK, Ireland and at EU IMPACT; Irish Hospital Consultants Professor Peter Totterdill which is looking at the nature of high involvement and strategic HR practices level. Association; Irish Medical Organisation; performance organisations in different in health sector organisations impact The initial phase, which involves a IBEC; National Economic and Social parts of the public and private sectors. positively on outcomes for patients and survey of HR and partnership practices Council. The research will examine the impact of staff, very little research has been carried in all 53 acute hospitals in the HSE The Steering Committee is supported strategic human resource management out in the Irish context. system, has now commenced. Data is by a Technical Working Group from the practices and workplace partnership According to Cathal O’ Regan of the being collected from key respondents NCPP and the HSNPF, which works in practices on key performance indicators NCPP, the project provides a valuable within each hospital. The second close consultation with the HSE. Project of patient care, staff wellbeing and opportunity to take a constructive look phase of the project will involve a more management is provided by the NCPP. organisational performance in the Irish at the nature of high performance in in-depth study in six high performing For further information, please contact Project Director, Cathal acute hospital system. the acute hospital system. “Ultimately, hospitals. It is anticipated that the final Cathal O’ Regan, Project Director, via O’ Regan It will build on previous research, we hope the research will produce report will be produced later in 2008. email: [email protected]

Testing of New HSE FactFile Updates Mental Health System Staff and Public Alike he HSE FactFile website aims to new mental health system is fi rst time in October 2007 and agreed is currently contributing to the provide a single point of access its terms of reference. The Board development of a policy document on T being tested by mental health to HSE activity and policy data in A professionals in Co Donegal is comprised of clinical personnel, access issues. Six major modules of an up-to-date and accessible manner this year. service users, carer representative, the software are being tested by the to both the general public and HSE staff The system, which is being ICT personnel, Data Protection end users of the system in Donegal. alike. developed in collaboration with the experts, consumer affairs experts and The remaining modules are currently A considerable amount of valuable Health Research Board and other HSE Management. being tested by the developers and HSE activity data is gathered from stakeholders, will connect inpatient The Board will meet each month the WISDOM team, while extensive various sources within the organisation and this data is published internally in and community settings. over the next two years, overseeing testing of these remaining modules reports that inform management but may not be readily accessible to the public Called WISDOM, the system is at the Proof Of Concept stage. The will be conducted during 2008. or many other professionals working within the organisation. HSE FactFile aims the Proof of Concept stage and a Board will have a role in approving With this initiative, Mental Health to provide an accessible location to pull these various activity data sources detailed evaluation will follow the roll- policy documents on access and Services can look forward to together into one electronic location and present it in a manner that is timely, out of the system in Co Donegal. security and will also review and improving service information and accurate, intelligible and relevant to all. An Interim National Project Board agree business rules for the project. providing much more reliable and for the WISDOM project met for the The local Donegal Advisory Group timely data. The objectives of the HSE FactFile project are > To identify and utilise existing data sources and collection systems within the organisation; > To provide an authoritative access point to, and location point for, accurate Noel Enright collated information on HSE activities and policy. Retires The HSE FactFile website and Intranet site is structured in an easy to use way which helps staff and the general public to fi nd information on HSE activity as it fter 28 years of service, Noel relates to their respective county by use of an interactive map. A Enright retired in December of last The site was initially commissioned by the CEO’s Offi ce in October 2006. It year. The occasion was marked by has been available on the HSE website since April 2007 and is managed by the a gathering of Noel’s family, friends and Population Health Directorate by a small team from the Health Intelligence sub work colleagues. directorate: Tributes were made to acknowledge For more information, please contact: the contribution that Noel has made to the Siobhan McCarthy, Information Specialist, Population Health: Health Materials Management Function in the Intelligence, HSE West. Email: [email protected] Mid-Western Area. Noel was thanked for his Judy Cronin, Health Informatics Manager, Dept of Public Health, HSE South. efforts in supporting the establishment of the Email: [email protected] procurement services in the Mid West area Heather Hegarty, Senior Research Offi cer, Dept of Public Health, HSE South. and for his ongoing contribution to providing Email: [email protected] services to his customers and patients. The HSE FactFile team would encourage HSE staff working across all HSE John Tuohy, Inventory & logistics Manager, directorates to explore HSE FactFile and, in particular, to check out the facts, stated that Noel’s comradeship and wit fi gures and policy as they relate to your service area, be that in the National would be missed by all and, on behalf of Hospitals Offi ce, PCCC or Population Health. We welcome your comments himself and his work colleagues, he wished on the site and are very keen to make additional routinely collected published John Tuohy, Logistics & Inventory Manager, presents Noel Enright with a bouquet Noel and his family many more years of good service activity data available on the site. We will shortly be conducting a user of flowers for his wife Eithne on the occasion of his retirement. Also in the picture health and happiness in his retirement. satisfaction survey of the site and would again welcome your opinion. is Brian Long, Assistant National Director Procurement, Head of Business Support. Go n’eiri an bother lea!

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Launch of Stress New Service Management and Allows for Wellness Programme for Staff he impact of stress on staff is well documented – approximately 12.5 million days are Tlost annually through absenteeism in this country, with over half of these believed to be rooted in work related stress. In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted Quality Time that, by 2020, stress will be the leading cause of workplace ill health. With this in mind, in 2006, the HSE West secured funding through the National Health Service Partnership Forum to facilitate a ‘Train the Trainer Programme in Stress Management’ which was facilitated by Dr Michael Hughes from the Stress Management Institute of Ireland. A total of 16 staff from PCCC and acute hospital services completed an eight month training with Children programme, after which the programme was developed to roll-out a Stress Management and Wellness Programme for staff in the Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary HSE service areas. In launching the programme, Dr Collette Mac Donagh-White, Occupational Health Physician, outlined the need for the programme. “Recent staff health surveys identified representing stress as one of the leading causes of absence and sick leave within the service.” She stressed that this is a significant cost to the health service as a whole. Seamus Mc Nulty, Assistant National Director, PCCC, HSE West, welcomed the development of this important staff health initiative. He congratulated all those involved in the development of the programme and presented the trainers with their certificates from the Stress Care Institute. Mr Mc Nulty encouraged all staff to support the programme, stating that staff are the greatest resource within the HSE and need to be supported in their work. HSE West now plans to set up an annual training schedule for staff in each Local Health Office and Hospital Network, with a minimum of four workshop programmes being delivered in each service area.

(L to R) : Majella Lloyd, Project Manager, Time 4 Us; Professor Brendan Drumm, CEO, HSE and Deirdre Hilary, Manager, Time 4 Us

n innovative new service – ‘Time 4 Us’ games so that parents can enjoy playing with A – is enabling parents who do not live their children. Some parents come to the in the family home to spend much centre after school to help with home work Front (L to R) : Mary Killeen McCarthy, Brid Boyce, Jeanne Moloney, Ann Cantwell, Maria Gibbons needed quality time with their children. and the weekends are busy with fun and Back (L to R) : Veronica Dillon, Mary Burke, Geraldine Quinn, ,Mary Jo Corey, Marie O’Haire and Dr Colette Time 4 Us is a specially designed play games too.” MacDonagh-White and Seamus McNulty centre, set up in Galway city, that allows Mary Giblin, Manager of Galway Childcare parents and children to spend time together Committee said: “The real success of the and to develop a more positive relationship. service is that many parents using it have This initiative is a joint collaboration been granted increased access to their Cyclists and Walkers Targeted between Galway City and County Childcare children. Indeed, for some parents who had Committee, The HSE, The Department of no access to their children, the neutral venue in Evening Safety Initiative Social and Family Affairs and the local and supported setting gives them time with Galway business community. The service their children in a way that, otherwise, would alkers and cyclists distributing lights to all those “This was an innovative and is completely free and the centre –which is simply not have been possible”. W throughout Galway walking or cycling in the proactive way to promote safety staffed by qualified childcare workers – is Alex MacLean, Acting General Manager, city have been evening over the three weeks within the city, with various open seven days a week, including afternoons HSE commented: “A lot of the parents who targeted in a new safety leading up to the winter time agencies working together and evenings. It caters for babies, toddlers use the service first find out about it from initiative, coordinated by Health change over. This time was targeting all groups,” stated and primary school children. their solicitor, family mediation service or Promotion Services, HSE West, specifically selected due to a Fiona Donovan, Coordinator On the provision of this new service, social worker. Then, once they start to use it, Galway City Council and the National Road Safety report of the Healthy Cities Project. Deirdre Hillary, Manager, said: “One of the they tell others how Time 4 Us helped them Gardai. (June 2007) that found that the “Cooperation and innovation things that we were really keen to do was to rebuild their family relationships.” The initiative, which is part highest number of pedestrian are fundamental elements provide a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Time 4 Us can be contacted on tel: 091 763 of the Galway Healthy Cities injuries occurred in the lead up of the Galway Healthy Cities We have a great selection of toys, books and 510 or via email at: [email protected] project, involves a ‘Bike Squad’ to the change in time. project,” she said.

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Posters Local Boxers Skip Awarded at National to Raise Funds Conference wo members of a local boxing club in Drogheda and was nursed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of T recently skipped for 12 hours in order to raise the Lourdes Hospital for almost four months. The care he funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Our received was excellent and, because of that, we decided t Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park recently won awards at the 7th Annual Lady of Lourdes Hospital and St Ita’s Special School in to fundraise for the Unit this year.” S National Conference, hosted by the National Council for Nursing and Drogheda. Damien, a former Irish International boxing champion Midwifery. Fergal Fagan and Damien McKenna decided to and world quarter finalist said: “The response was terrific. The poster, ‘Care Pairs - Together Each Achieves More’ was awarded first prize at the turn their hobby of skipping to good use in holding a I know that the money we raised will be put to good use conference. This poster illustrates the driving forces, implementation and evaluation of ‘skipathon’ which raised E8,000 for the worthy causes. at both locations.” ‘Care Pair’ work teams. The concept, developed in St Mary’s, was critically appraised Fergal, who works as a porter at Our Lady of Lourdes, The two men are well known for their fundraising and implemented to provide a staff skill mix to ensure that quality patient care is discussed his motivation for organising the event. “In efforts. Last year, accompanied by boxer, Sean Kilroy, they delivered in an efficient and cost effective manner, while ensuring a person-centred November last year, my sister Audrey had a baby,” he raised nearly E10,000 for the Paediatric Unit of Our Lady approach. said. “He arrived over three months before his due date of Lourdes and, again, for St Ita’s Special School. According to Breda Hayes, Director of Nursing: “We realised a skill mix realignment was needed to build on the fact that Health Care Assistants, who have historically provided direct patient care under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse, had the potential to become more involved and play a more pivotal role in care delivery. It was considered important to recognise the strengths of the Health Care Assistants, develop their potential as part of a team and clarify their line of accountability”. Managed by Alicia McCabe, Clinical Nurse Manager 11, the project was initiated in the Chapel View Ward and is incrementally spreading throughout the hospital. An award was also won for ‘The Essence of Care - Privacy and Dignity’ poster, which demonstrates the continuous cycle of assessing standards of care against the chosen benchmark and highlights all positive outcomes achieved after implementing a series of small changes. This was the second consecutive year that the poster won an award. The Essence of Care Committee was established in June 2006 with the specific intention of setting high standards of care within St Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park. The project is managed by Fiona Dunne, Clinical Nurse Manager 11, Clements Ward. The Essence of Care framework is a tool which many healthcare practitioners use to assess current standards of care and establish if any modifications need to be made. It also identifies and highlights existing best practices through benchmarking. Involvement in this process demonstrates St Mary’s commitment to the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle of quality improvement. If you would like further information about the ‘Essence of Care’ or ‘Care Pair’ projects, please contact Michelle Russell, Practice Development Coordinator, St Mary’s Hospital on tel: 01 625 0337 or via email: [email protected]

Pictured in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda (L to R) Back Row: Yvonne Gregory, Operational Services Manager; Des O’Flynn, General Manager; Dr David Vaughan, Consultant Paediatrician. Front row (L to R) Siobhan Hackett, Ward Manager, Special Care Baby Unit; Fergal Fagan, Audrey and Ronan Donnelly and Damien McKenna Healthy Eating Within the Community ealthy Food Made Easy Participants who complete the participating in a HFME course (HFME) is a community based course are awarded a HFME certificate contribute the venue and the H project that teaches members and ‘101 square meals’- a cookery participants, while the peer-leader and New CT Scanner of the community how to cook and eat book written in conjunction with all other resources are provided by the healthily. Last year, over 250 people MABS, the money advice bureau. The HFME Project Coordinator. There is no successfully completed the course. unique aspect of the course is that it charge for the course. for Cavan Hospital Initiated in 2006 as a partnership is peer-led: a number of local women The HFME project is managed by he people of the Cavan and of assisting with cancer diagnosis and between the HSE Dublin North were trained as HFME peer-leaders Linda Scanlan, Project Coordinator T Monaghan region can now treatment by watching the blood vessels East Health Promotion Services and during 2006 so that they could pass (who is employed by Northside benefit from a new 64-slice CT as they travel through a tumor - this Northside Partnership in Coolock, the on the healthy eating and cooking Partnership), with the support of Scanner at Cavan General Hospital. offers an early view of how a patient HFME course comprises six sessions message to others in a relaxed and Kathleen Jordan, Senior Community The scanner has the latest technology responds to therapy. The scanner will where participants learn how to make friendly atmosphere. Dietitian, HSE Dublin North East. which will provide increased speed and also give us excellent views of the blood healthy food choices and cook healthy Examples of groups who completed For further information, please improved detail. vessels leading to the brain, lungs and meals. Topics covered include: how HFME courses in 2007 include contact either Linda Scanlan on tel: 01 Speaking at the official unveiling of kidneys. Virtual colonoscopy can now to increase your fruit and vegetable primary school parents, older adults, 848 5630, or via email: linda.scanlan@ the new scanner, Dr Martin Schranz, be accomplished without an invasive intake; reading food labels; decreasing trainee childcare workers, young northsidepartnership.ie. Alternatively, Consultant Radiologist said: “The scope. We will also be able to perform your fat intake; increasing your fibre men and travellers. In keeping with contact Kathleen Jordan on tel: 01 816 increased speed of this new CT scanner CT guided procedures, such as biopsies intake, healthy shopping habits and the partnership ethos of the project, 0339, or via email: kathleen.jordan@ will enable us to image moving heart of tumours, with much greater accuracy family food issues, such as fussy eaters. community groups interested in hse.ie. vessels. The scanner is also capable and safety.”

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MUH Foundation Services Benefit Announces Major from the Arts Fundraising Drive

rimary school children, along with residents and he Mercy University Hospital (MUH) Foundation, which was established staff of HSE centres, enjoyed a special puppet in March 2007 to mark the hospital’s 150th Anniversary, launched a major P T E show performance at the Triskel Arts Centre, fundraising drive this January to collect 5 million over the next three years. Cork, in December. Windy Lane Puppeteers Group, whose The monies raised will be used to invest in services, equipment and research. membership comprises of service users and staff of St The plan is to raise these funds by 2010, with an allocation of E2.2 million to the Raphael’s Centre, Youghal, hosted two performances of their Men’s Health and Prostate Cancer Fund, E2 million for the Radiology Appeal and newest production, Those Were The Days . E500,000 for the Kids’ Fund. St Raphael’s Centre provides residential and day care Micheál Sheridan, Executive Director of The Foundation said: “The Foundation’s services for over 150 clients with intellectual disabilities. role is to develop and manage the hospital’s fundraising activities and to Commenting on the show, Ann O’ Connor, Arts & Health encourage further philanthropic support towards its key aims. Its mission is to Programme Coordinator, said: “Staff in the Bawnard Centre, generate financial support for investment into enhanced services for patients, the St. Raphael’s, continually seek to find new and innovative purchase of vital equipment, and the development of innovative approaches to ways to develop and deliver their services. The puppetry medical and surgical care in order to help the hospital’s staff to provide a world programme is focused on enhancing the wellbeing and social class service within The Mercy.” and artistic skills of clients.” The specialised Men’s Health Clinic will be the only of its kind in Munster and The Arts & Health Programme is also working with the will work with men suffering from various forms of cancer - in particular, prostate Health Services National Partnership Forum and HSE staff and testicular cancer. This clinic will: treat patients in privacy; carry out same day to deliver a music initiative in five mental health settings biopsies (which can reduce the delay in treatment by four to six weeks); develop throughout Cork city and county. The aim of the project is peer support meetings for newly diagnosed patients and develop care pathways to improve the quality of working life for staff of the mental John Mc Harg, St Raphael’s, with Ciara Kennedy for each individual patient. health services, and the quality of service delivery for service A ‘Da Vinci Surgical System’ for carrying out radical prostatectomies will also be users, through music. Feedback from service users and staff indicates that purchased, while ‘The Radiology Appeal’ will fund a new ‘64 slice’ CT scanner, in Visiting musicians are facilitating weekly workshops in St the music initiative is very popular with all those who have addition to the updating of equipment within the Radiology Intervention Suite. Stephens Hospital, Glanmire; Carrig Mór Centre, Shanakill; become involved. According to one of the clients, the The Mercy Kids Fund will be used to improve services to the hospital’s youngest Cúnamh Day Hospital/Day Centre, Macroom; the Acute Unit programme is having a very positive effect: “Sometimes I patients, including: the purchase of new equipment; the updating of facilities on in Cork University Hospital and South Lee Mental Health come in and I’m down in the dumps and [after the music] I the ward, in addition to the improvement of non-medical and surgical services Services, Togher/Ballyphehane Branch. can feel that I’m lightened”. through a programme which addresses the children’s educational, psychological and dietary needs.

Ensuring Access Assistant Director WGH Raises A new HSE led initiative in Cashel, Co Tipperary, is of Nursing Retires addressing issues of access to public and retail buildings, transport and social activities for people with disabilities. Hand Hygiene Awareness As part of this project, a new logo has been developed by students of the Tipperary Institute and was launched by n a bid to fight the spread of hospital infection, ‘Hand Hygiene Mr Brian Crowley, MEP, before Christmas in Cashel Library. I Awareness Week’ was recently launched by Wexford General Hospital’s (WGH) Infection Control team. During the week, a range of promotional events took place throughout the hospital, aimed at healthcare staff, patients and those visiting WGH. Visitors also had the opportunity to test out their hand hygiene technique with special training equipment and practical demonstrations. Billy Walsh, Ireland’s Fermoy Community Hospital staff make a presentation to National Boxing Coach, was on hand to assist with the launch. Eleanor Prendergast, Assistant Director of Nursing on her Commenting on the awareness week, Teresa Hanrahan, General Manager retirement after 10 years service. Eleanor came to Fermoy of Wexford General Hospital said: “Infection control is the responsibility from Marymount Hospice, Cork and was instrumental in of healthcare staff, patients and the public. This initiative hopes to raise promoting and developing Palliative Care Services in Fermoy. awareness of the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare settings. Together, we can make a difference.” (L to R) : Bridget Farrell, General Manager, HSE South Tipperary (From L to R): Marian Slattery, CNM1; Assumpta Murphy, Community Services; Brian Crowley MEP; Marie O’ Hara, Attendant; Eleanor Prendergast; James Ronayne, Attendant; Community Development Officer, HSE and Carol Moore, Disability Services Co-ordinator, HSE Ann O’Connor, Director of Nursing and Claire Barry, RGN Kerry Graduation

Twenty five Health Care Support Workers graduated with a Further Education and Training Awards Council Healthcare Support Certificate at the Kerry Centre of Nurse Education at Kerry General Hospital recently. This year’s graduation also included a group of eight students from the Kerry and Cork mental health services. These students (L to R) : Emer Ward, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Infection Control, WGH; Mary received their cert as part of a nationwide pilot study for health care assistants in mental health; a new initiative which involves Mooney, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Infection Control, WGH; National Boxing upskilling and retraining support staff who work in existing psychiatric hospitals in order to prepare them for work as health care Coach Billy Walsh; Michael Brand, People Partnership Forum, WGH and Teresa Hanrahan, General Manager, WGH assistants in the mental health services.

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Front (L to R) : Tom Maher, Mark Knight and Paul Fitzsimons. Back (L to R) : Brendan Whelan, Training and Development Officer -National Ambulance Service; Tony Whelan (DM); Joe Flanagan, Fire Fighter; Paddy Dowling, Station Officer; Fran Nolan, Sub Officer; Gearoid Oman, Training and Development Officer - Initiative National Ambulance Service; Paul Bolger, Fire Fighter and Greg Donagher, Fire Fighter

new initiative aimed at reducing Tullamore receives a call for a cardiac arrest, considerably improved if there is a rapid, how to contact the Ambulance Service results A deaths from sudden cardiac arrest has it is within the Portarlington unit’s designated coordinated response to the emergency,” he in some trying to contact the local Ambulance been launched between the National area so the Ambulance Service will dispatch said. “Research has unequivocally shown that Station directly, rather than contacting the Ambulance Service (NAS), Midland Division an ambulance and the unit simultaneously. survival from sudden cardiac arrest improves emergency number. The Ambulance Service and Laois County Fire and Rescue Service. Following this successful pilot project, this when the four links in the ‘Chain of Survival’ should be the first to be contacted. The As part of a pilot project, the NAS Midland initiative will be rolled out across all units are strong. The four links are: Early Access number to ring is 999 or 112. They will then Area trained all members of the Portarlington of Laois County Fire & Rescue Service on a to Emergency Medical Services (Dial 999 or coordinate the dispatch of the Fire Service and Unit of Laois County Fire and Rescue Service phased basis. The Mountrath and Durrow 112); Early CPR; Early Defibrillation and Early Ambulance” he said. in a programme on ‘Basic Life Support’, units joined the initiative towards the end of Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Declan Power, Senior Assistant Chief Fire including Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation last year. He was quick to stress the important Officer with Laois County Fire & Rescue (CPR) and the use of an Automated External “This is an excellent initiative which role of the general public. “There is still Service said: “This will further increase the Defibrillator (AED). enhances care and could improve the outcome a considerable lack of awareness in the close cooperation and working relationship Activation protocols for the unit to attend of a patient suffering sudden cardiac arrest,” community as to the appropriate action to be that already exists between Laois County Fire cardiac arrests within their designated area said Gearóid Oman, Training and Development taken in the event of a collapse. Many people & Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service were agreed between the services so that, Officer, NAS, Midland Division. “The chances still ring the GP or the local hospital in the first and will ultimately benefit all members of the when the Ambulance Control Centre in of survival following cardiac arrest are instance. In some areas, lack of awareness of community in Laois.” New Premises for Chronic Disease: Travellers Service Focus of New Training

wo new stand alone training modules for nurses have been piloted to address specific chronic disease – cardio vascular T disease and diabetes. To date, a total of 70 nurses, including Practice Nurses, Community RGN’s and PHNs have undertaken these modules and given positive evaluations. Entitled ‘Cardio Vascular Disease Management for Nurses’ and ‘Nursing Management of the Patient with Diabetes’, these modules have been developed in partnership with Dublin City University (DCU) and the Centres of Nurse Education (CNE) in Tullamore and Connolly hospital. These modules are accredited at level eight in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and carry five credits, as a stand alone module or a specialist module on the Bachelor in Nursing Studies (Community) programme, or as an access module toward postgraduate studies. The modules are currently scheduled by a number of CNEs nationally and are applicable to all nursing disciplines. Each module consists of five student/CNE contact days plus an average of thirty-six hours of self directed learning. The final assessment incorporates theory with an aspect of clinical practice. To cope with health care demands into the future, the Transformation Programme (2007-2010) calls for the implementation of a model for the prevention and management of chronic illness. This model will mean a change in service delivery from our traditional health and social care model – one that is primarily episode based and demand led – to a population health model. A population health model takes a proactive approach to health by focusing on maximising the health and social wellbeing of the population - the focus of care being diverted to the promotion and protection of the health of the whole population, with particular At the official opening of the new premises of Exchange House Travellers Service on Great emphasis on reducing health inequalities. It places the patient at the centre of care and promotes the patient’s own skills in the Strand Street in Dublin were: (L to R) : Front row - Nancy Power, National Traveller MABS management of their condition. Coordinator; President Mary McAleese; Heydi Foster, Director, Exchange House; Hugh McDermott, Acting Chairperson, Exchange House. Back row - Carmel Terry, Acting Social These stand alone modules enable nurses to embrace this population health approach to care. The early recognition of Inclusion Manager, HSE Dublin South City; John Hanley, Dublin City Council; Eifion Williams, exacerbation indicators, plus early medical intervention, is fundamental to the wellbeing of patients and the integration of care is Acting Area Administrator, HSE Dublin South City; Carmel Mulcahy, Dean of Education, Dublin City University. Exchange House is an organisation of Travellers and settled people paramount to reducing morbidity and admissions to secondary care. This is reflected in the content of the modules, as is the nurses’ working together to provide Family Support Services, Drug Outreach, Youth Work, Education role in health promotion and health education in keeping with current DOH&C and HSE philosophy. Services, Community Development and Research and Policy for the Traveller Community in Two additional modules, addressing ‘Respiratory Care’ and ‘Advancing the Care of Persons with Long-term Illness’ will be the greater Dublin area. accredited and available nationally in the near future. Artwork Lightens Lives in Dalkey alkey Community Unit for however, as dusk approaches and two convalescent care places. There is D Older Persons has welcomed throughout the night, they become also a day centre, offering high support the relocation of the artwork alive and impart information through day care to 75 clients every week. ‘Saoi’ by artist Séamus Kennedy to illuminated text. The unique artwork also The Unit hopes that ‘Saoi’ will have an the unit in a move organised by Dún flashes with colour at various intervals. uplifting effect on everyone, particularly Laoghaire Rathdown County Council The Dalkey Community Unit for Older residents and staff. The support of the and the HSE. Persons opened in 2000. It provides care project stems from the fact that there is This artwork consists of three to older people in the local community. evidence to suggest that involvement (L to R) : Alice Harding, Director of Nursing at the Unit; The Cathaoirleach Cllr Denis O’Callaghan ‘boulders’ made from fibreglass - these The Unit has 36 permanent residents, in the arts leads to less illness and and artist Seamus Kennedy, holding his young son John, look on as the artwork begins to light look like regular boulders by day; 12 respite care temporary residents and improved wellbeing. up in its new home at the Dalkey Community Unit for Older Persons

=ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh p27 West =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Children’s Ark School Officially Opens

he official opening of the Mary Hanafin, TD, commented: cater for the educational needs of all T new Children’s Ark School “The Children’s Ark School children.” at the Mid-Western Regional demonstrates how, through working The school principal, Margaret Hospital took place in January of in partnership, we can eliminate the McCarthy, said: “Our children’s Ark this year. The initiative is funded by barriers to personal and educational School helps to normalise a child’s the Department of Education and development that can arise through day when they are in hospital, while Science and facilitated and supported illness. All children should have equal it also reduces stress on their return by management at the Mid-Western opportunities for play, recreation and to school. Children appear much Regional Hospital. education. happier with the type of structure the (L to R) : Dr. Liam Carroll, Chairman, Board of Management; Margaret McCarthy, Principal; The school caters for both primary “By establishing this school, you school provides and parents regularly Minister for Education and Science; Mary Hanafin, TD; Beryl Carswell and Mairead Condon and secondary school students while are playing a very significant role in express positive feedback in relation they are in hospital and priority is helping to reduce the impact of their to their children’s experiences. In and it is going to continue for most two laptops available to its pupils. given to frequent and long-stay illness on their schooling by providing particular, a small number of children of their childhood. Attending the Ark Ms McCarthy is also pleased to patients. Children are more often the necessary stimulation to who miss a full day from school School enables them to continue with have ‘Exam Support’, a web-based taught in groups, with one-to-one continue their social, emotional and every week to attend hospital for their school work and keep them up resource for all second level lessons provided where necessary. educational development. Innovative intravenous therapy have benefited to date with the curriculum.” subjects – an invaluable resource for Speaking at the opening, the schools like this demonstrate the significantly from the school. This The Children’s Ark School now students who are preparing for state Minister for Education and Science, need for flexibility so that we can process takes up most of their day has two computer stations and examinations. Artwork and Calendar Launched by Traveller Support Group

he Mayo Traveller Support Group Primary Health Care project has culminated in the launch of a piece of artwork T entitled ‘Life Reflected’ earlier this year which was donated to Mayo General Hospital. The event, launched by Cllr. Paddy McGuinness, also served to introduce a new calendar for 2008, produced by the group, which included images from the artwork. The Mayo Traveller Support Group Primary Health Care Project was set up in Ballina in November 2006. The project is currently in its training phase, which will continue with the support of the Traveller Health Unit, HSE West and FAS for the next two years. During this time, the participants will receive training in health related issues, community development, health promotion, communications, computers and a range of other areas. The objective is that the trainees will then have the skills and attributes to become community health workers. ‘Life Reflected’ includes several images of children and people in prayer, in addition to images of the family tree – it is a reflection of the things which the trainees identified as being very important to them as individuals and also as very important to the traveling community as a whole. Winnie Maughan, one of the trainees on the project, said, “This art piece is about life, faith and hope. We hope that anyone who looks at this art work can find something positive and pleasing, and a place for some reflection both literally and spiritually.” The trainees worked on the project with the help of community artist Stephanie Troy. Sandra Judge, the Project Coordinator said: “This was a very special event for the project. This artwork not only shares the good sentiments and feelings that people will get when they see it, but it is also about raising awareness and profile of the project to health service providers in Mayo. This is about starting an ongoing dialogue with health service providers with the project to ensure its success in promoting good health for travellers.” A Media and Multicultural Award: recently received by Letterkenny General Hospital St Patrick’s Appear on RTE Show St Patrick’s Hospital. Carrick-on-Shannon was the setting for a recording of RTE’s popular Seoige & O’Shea afternoon daily talk show programme. Popular Country and Irish singer Declan Nerney and his band provided musical entertainment and interviewed a number of the residents. The show aired on Friday 21 December, 2007.

p28 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh Dublin North East =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Launch of New Syringe Service Managers Driver Policies Attend Master Class n action learning master class was A recently held for service managers on both sides of the border to inform them on the value of tackling issues within organisations through a collaborative approach. Action Learning is a way of helping people to make improvements to the services they provide and the performance of their organisations. It involves participants tackling work based problems in small groups called ‘Action Learning Sets’ in which they are encouraged to explore and test alternative solutions. At the master class, Dr Pedler, a leading expert in the field of leadership and organisation development, introduced the participants to the Action Learning approach and methodology and highlighted how it can support service development, modernisation and organisation development. Dr Pedler is is Professor of Action (L to R): Finola Cashman, Senior Executive Officer, Risk Management, HSE Dublin North East, Cornelia Stuart, Quality & Risk Manager, HSE Dublin North East, Dr. Shane Learning at Henley Management College. Higgins, Lead Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Mary Henry, Clinical Placement Co-ordinator, Cavan General Hospital and Anne Marie Oglesby, Clinical Risk Manager, Clinical Indemnity Scheme. He consults with voluntary, public and prive sector clients. wo policy and guideline documents were recently launched to in the six Local Health Office areas and Hospital Network 3 who are The master class was coordinated by ensure that syringe drivers are used to administer medications to providing care to patients in the area. a management development sub-group T patients by competent staff in a safe manner in order to provide Speakers at the launch included Cornelia Stuart, Quality & Risk Manager, of ‘Cooperation and Working Together good symptom control and safe patient care. Dublin North East; Dr Dominic O Brannagain, Consultant in Palliative (CAWT)’, a cross border health and social The documents were entitled: ‘A Policy for the Administration of Medicine; Maura Mc Donnell, Director of Nursing, Palliative Care Services care partnership comprising the border Medications in a Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion Using a Syringe and Anne Marie Oglesby, Clinical Risk Manager, Clinical Indemnity Scheme. counties of the HSE and the Southern and Driver’ and ‘Guidelines for Administering Medications in a Continuous Copies of these documents are available by contacting the Risk Western Health and Social Services Boards Subcutaneous Infusion Using a Graseby MS 16A Syringe Driver’. Both Management Department on tel: 046 928 0547 or via email: and Trusts in Northern Ireland. apply to all clinicians (medical practitioners and registered nurses) [email protected]. Addiction Services Receive Star Award

he Aontas (Irish National Adult Learning Organisation) STAR T Award was recently presented to Soilse, a HSE Addiction Services Drug Rehabilitation Programme in Dublin. Mr Sean Haughey, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Adult Education, made the presentation of the award, which was achieved by the Soilse Programme for the provision of quality, accredited and professional Anne Forsythe, SHSCT; Siobhan Patten, HSE West; adult education courses that corresponded with the needs, interests Soilse staff being presented with Aontas of STAR Award by Mr Sean Haughey, TD, Mike Pedler; Pauline Doherty, CAWT and Tony and experience of participants. Minister of State with responsibility for Adult Education Liston, HSE. Contributions Guidance on Intimate Examinations Wanted A new document has just been launched to provide Speakers at the launch included Cornelia Stuart, Quality staff with best practice guidance in relation to intimate & Risk Manager; Dr Shane Higgins, Lead Consultant, Why not write or suggest an article or feature for the next edition of Health examination/procedures. The document, entitled ‘Best Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Mary Henry, Clinical Matters and keep us updated on what’s happening in health around the Practice Guidance for the intimate examination or Placement Coordinator, Cavan General Hospital; Anne country? Write to us at Health Matters, Internal Communications, HSE, procedures on patients in the PCCC - HSE DNE & Hospital Marie Oglesby, Clinical Risk Manager, Clinical Indemnity Parkgate Business Centre, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8 or contact us via Network 3’ is applicable to all clinical staff within Dublin Scheme. email: [email protected] Please provide your name, work address North East who are engaged in, or support others in, the To obtain a copy of the document, please contact the and telephone number in correspondence. Articles may be edited or cut. carrying out of intimate examination/procedures and it Risk Management Department, Dublin North East. Tel: The deadline for the next issue is April 30, 2008. is applicable to all patients who undergo such procedures. 046 9280547. Email:[email protected].

=ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh p29 South =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh HSE Plans Major Boost Launch of Falls to South-East Disability Prevention isability services in the South East will be improved greatly as a result shortly. A planning application has also been submitted by the HSE for D of the HSE’s development of a number of capital projects. development of another children’s treatment and assessment centre and a Programme In Dungarvan, Co Waterford, on the site of the former Presentation rehabilitation training facility for adults with acquired brain injuries on land Convent, construction of two major projects is underway. At a cost of E1.5 adjacent to St Luke’s Hospital in Clonmel. tatistics show that 42 per million, specialist pre-school services will be provided at a new facility for Following an investment of E7 million, construction is well underway at S cent of all reported incidents the Sesame organisation, in addition to the establishment of a treatment the Kelvin Grove relocation project in Carlow, entailing the development in acute hospitals involve and assessment centre for children with physical and sensory disability of four five-bedroomed residential units and a day activation and therapy patient falls, which are a major issue – both are due for completion by May of this year. building for adults with intellectual disabilities. Tenders will also be for the older population. To address Meanwhile, on the grounds of Waterford Regional Hospital, planning shortly sought for a new rehabilitation training unit on the grounds of St this concern, Mercy University permission has been granted for the construction of a regional children’s Dymphna’s Hospital in Carlow (in association with the Delta Centre). Hospital (MUH) has established treatment and assessment centre. The project, which also involves the In Co Wexford, planning permission has been granted for an adult day a multidisciplinary falls committee Central Remedial Clinic, has a projected completion date of 2009. The care centre and therapy building on the grounds of St John’s Hospital to identify actions that would help majority of the E5 million costs involved will be met by the HSE. in Enniscorthy, and also on land located at Ely Hospital in Wexford town. reduce falls. Moving North to Tipperary, two five-bedroomed high support Finally, planning permission has also been granted for a children’s The service bridges the gap accommodation facilities - to complement services being provided by the treatment and assessment centre on land at St Senan’s Hospital in between acute and community HSE’s Damien House facility in Clonmel - are expected to be completed Enniscorthy. services and aims to make falls intervention seamless. To enhance access to physiotherapy services, Foundation Stone Laid for Cancer Day Unit at Wexford General Hospital close working links have been developed with colleagues in PCCC, including clinical observation, meetings and adoption of the same outcome scores and assessment approach. Patients unable to attend MUH for physiotherapy after discharge are transferred to services within PCCC. The collaborative model adopted ensures that approaches to this client group are mirrored across each service. Each patient discharged is provided with an exercise booklet and activity diary to facilitate continuation and progression of treatment and a falls specific transfer form is used, greatly improving communication. Due to the success of the programme to date, there is future scope to develop falls prevention strategies with the Emergency Department, GP Access and Consultant-Led Multidisciplinary Falls Clinics to continue to develop (L to R): Mary Kerr, Nurse Planner, WGH; Patricia Hackett, Service Manager, WGH; Maureen Buck, Friends of WGH; Mable Leech, Patron, Friends of WGH; Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns; Teresa Hanrahan, General Manager, WGH; Ellen Lynch, South East Radio; Margaret Curran, Quality & Accreditation, WGH. Back Row (l-r): Liam Dwyer, CEO, South East Radio; services between the acute and Dr Paddy McKiernan, Consultant Physician, WGH; George O’ Neill, HSE Project Manager; John Pettit and Seán Halford, Friends of WGH and contractors, David Flynn & Co. Ltd., DKS community sectors. Electrical Ltd. and Elenco Ltd. Opthalmology Physiotherapists Staff at Bantry Hospital Department Promote Research Take Lifestyle Challenge Scoops Award n a new venture, subjects such as conducting ore than 80 staff from Bantry General Hospital (BGH) Iphysiotherapists from Cork literature searches, applying Mrecently put themselves to the test by taking part in aterford Regional Hospital (WRH) has University Hospital and for ethical approval and basic the Irish Heart Foundation’s Happy Heart Lifestyle been honoured by the Royal Academy of St Finbarr’s Hospital made statistical analysis. Challenge. W presentations of their research The research committee then The challenge, which ran for eight weeks, encouraged staff Medicine in Ireland with the award of a medal to the Opthalmology Department. papers at the annual Irish Society identified work which could be to take up regular physical activity. Organised by the Health Dr Ayman Sayeed, a registrar in the department, of Chartered Physiotherapists submitted for presentation at Promotion Committee in BGH, a variety of events took place, such received the award for a body of research that he (ISCP) conference, held in the conference. Eleven poster as lunchtime walks and a core stability exercise class organised by undertook which compared the latest results of November of last year. presentations were finally physiotherapists Margaret O’Mahony and Sinead Considine. specialist cataract eye surgery in accordance with the The Physiotherapy Department accepted. At the end of the challenge, participants who successfully ‘micro incision’ devised procedures at the hospital. established a research committee According to physiotherapy reached their targets received an achievement certificate and were WRH was the first medical facility in Ireland to for staff interested in getting manager, Liz Shinnick: “This entered into a prize draw. undertake this form of surgery. With its development, involved in and promoting research represents a fantastic achievement. According to Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Margaret O’Donoghue: Dr. Sayeed’s research has shown that a greater during 2005. It shows that research and “The Health Promotion Committee in Bantry has been innovative number of patients are quicker to recover their vision Following the establishment of evaluation is part of our day-to-day in their approach to staff health and provide free screening for after surgery at WRH’s Ophthalmology Department. this committee, training sessions work and isn’t as daunting as was cholesterol and blood pressure on a yearly basis.” were introduced, focusing on previously thought.”

p30 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh Dublin Mid Leinster =ZVai]bViiZgh =ZVai]bViiZgh Keeping Children Language Skills: Germ-Free

nvironmental Health Officers in Kildare /West Wicklow have undertaken a Support for E pilot project to demonstrate the importance of hand washing for children aged 5-7 years. Titled ‘Keep me Germ Free’, an interactive package was developed using a puppet to engage children, alongside a Powerpoint presentation, posters, flash cards and food to prompt answers and discussion. During the presentation, Multilingual Children children are encouraged to discuss why and when they should wash their hands and are shown how to wash their hands correctly. At the end of the session he myth that multilingualism inevitably causes one language is spoken and understood. These multilingual children prepare place mats with handprints of their ‘clean hands’. difficulties in acquiring speech and language skills is households reflect the changing profile of Irish society. Many The project was piloted in local schools to ascertain its effectiveness. T hoped to be dispelled with a new leaflet produced by health and education professionals are being approached by Participating schools were presented with a small supply of liquid soap, paper the Speech & Language Therapy Department in Dublin West. parents for advice and, ever increasingly, they find themselves towels, posters and stickers for each child. A certificate was presented to the The leaflets contain information about language seeking up to date information regarding communication participating class and the children were given their laminated place mats, development in multilingual children, which may differ from development for multilingual children. representing their clean hands, to take home. their peers with only one language. Advice is offered on “Good communication is an essential skill for every child. It Feedback from pilots has been very positive, with one school now hoping to how best to promote communication development among allows for success in socialising with peers, at school, as well move away from the use of cloth towels as a result of the pilot. It is hoped this multilingual children. Parents are encouraged to continue as with the wider community and the society in which they presentation could be packaged to other schools throughout the county. communicating with their child in their first language and to live. It is hoped that these information leaflets will offer positive “In designing the pack, we felt that several hand washing initiatives are aimed maintain an interest in all languages spoken in the home, even advice and encouragement to parents and professionals in at adults, but research indicated the benefits of aiming the project at younger when the child starts school. supporting the development of communication skills among children,” said Catherine Foy, Principal Environmental Health Officer. “An initial According to Anne-Marie Aberg, Speech and Language multilingual children,” she added. literature review led us to the conclusion that a simple interactive presentation Therapy Manager, Dublin West: “Increasing numbers of For further information, please contact Anne-Marie Aberg using a variety of props would be most suitable to get the children’s attention.” children in Ireland today are living in homes where more than via email: [email protected]. Wicklow Staff Show Their Concern taff at the Local Health Centre in Wicklow have been donating their coins S to Concern’s ‘Copper Craft Appeal’ since 2003. Over the past five years, mislaid coins found in jars, in drawers, down the back of settees or rattling around cars have been brought to the Wicklow office for counting and lodgement to Concern. Other collection centres include Ballinteer Health centre; Glenmalure Day Hospital; Our Lady’s Clinic, Patrick Street, Dun Laoghaire; Baggot Street and Wicklow Hospital and the Local Health Office in Bray. In December 2007, the lodgement totals hit the `5,000 mark – this just goes to prove how much all those one, two and five cent coins can be worth, demonstrating that even mislaid coins can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. For further information, please contact either Rozel Fitzgerald via email: rozel. [email protected] or Ian Daly at: [email protected]. Alternatively, contact them at the Local Health Office, Wicklow, on tel: 0404) 68400.

Back row (L to R): Mr GA O’Mahony, Chairman, Stewarts Hospital; Ms Caroline Peppard, Senior Health Promotion Officer Physical Activity HSE Dublin Mid Leinster; Mr. Seán Power T.D. Minister of State for Health and Children and Ms. Sarah Meegan, Adapted Physical Josie Byrne 103rd Birthday Activity Coordinator. Front row (L to R): : Ms Maura Donovan, CEO, Stewarts Hospital and Richard Bradley Stewarts Hospital Opens Adapted Josie Turns 103 he buntings were out in St Brigid’s Home, Crooksling, to celebrate the Physical Activity Centre T birthday of its oldest resident, Josie Byrne, in January. Josie was born in 1905 and grew up in Townsend Street. She worked he HSE Health Promotion Health and Children, Sean Power, centre. She is currently working in Ormond Printing on Ormond Quay and retired at 65 years of age. T Service, Dublin Mid Leinster, TD, was developed to provide the with the HSE to develop a training Josie married William Byrne in 1929. They had five children - two boys and has contributed funding clients of Stewarts Hospital with programme for HSE staff working three girls. The children have fond memories of growing up in York Street, St towards specialist equipment for the an accessible physical activity and with people with disabilities. Stephen’s Green. Josie now has 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Stewarts Adapted Physical Activity exercise facility that caters for their Students from DCU studying a She resides in the loving and excellent care of staff in St Brigid’s Home, Centre, a joint initiative between unique needs and abilities. BSc in Sports Science and Health, Crooksling, where she rules the roost on Unit A, which is managed by Sr Carol Dublin City University (DCU) and Dr Sarah Meegan, who lectures or a BSc in Physical Education with Corrigan and Sr Marie Mullally. Stewarts Hospital. in adapted physical activity with the Biology will attend the centre to The staff are delighted with Josie’s achievement on reaching 103 and they tell The centre, which was officially DCU School of Health and Human gain practical experience working me Josie’s favourite sayings are: “You’ll have to shoot me to get rid of me” and opened by the Minister of State for Performance, will manage the new with people with disabilities. “Never worry - it will happen anyway”! We look forward to many more years of Josie’s good company.

=ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%- Heg^c\ '%%- =ZVai]bViiZgh p31 =ZVai]bViiZgh Message from the CEO The challenge for 2008 (L to R) : Professor Drumm, CEO of the HSE; Barbara Fitzgerald, Head of Nursing; Michael Knowles, General Manager, Naas General Hospital and George Little, Consultant in Emergency Medicine ecord numbers of people not impact negatively on the availability individual and collective goals (see during a recent visit byl the CEO to the hospital R in Ireland are now engaged of care to patients and clients. also page 14). in providing high quality The process has started with my examples of where it is delivering feel, as individuals and members public health services - since 2004, the HealthStat management team. We have set out excellent care. Indeed, many of the of a team, that they have made a number of HSE posts has increased by After a tremendous amount of our goals, or ‘Key Results Areas’, as entries into this year’s Achievements difference. 14,000. The annual health budget is also cooperation between the various they are also known. Awards show that integration is Every day, thousands of staff are higher than ever. directorates, we will shortly be Staff down through the organisation being embedded in services across making a difference and providing introducing HealthStat. will soon be asked to set their own the country. outstanding services. A letter writer Rebalancing With HealthStat, we will be able goals and their performance will be While a lot of what we do is to the Sunday Independent in early I accept that there are some parts of the to see - using an easy-to-view data judged by their success in achieving organised around two administrations February wrote of their public organisation where there are shortfalls. dashboard - the comparative output of these goals. - NHO and PCCC- we have started to hospital experience: “The staff But there are others that, when the level our facilities, initially by hospital but, This process will naturally be look at how, organisationally, we could – from the surgeons to the caterers of service they provide is measured in a few months, by community based supported by the data that is drawn support greater service integration. and the people who kept the wards against their income, are over funded. services. together by HealthStat so that immaculate – worked as a team. Should we accept these imbalances? We are currently recording data successes and shortfalls will be Leadership during 2008 The nursing skills were wonderful to No - that would be grossly unfair on in 12 areas such as absenteeism, revealed in equal measure. 2008 will be a year where exemplary experience. The nursing staff rejoiced patients and clients who are waiting average length of hospital stays and local leadership will be needed. I with us when we received good news, for care and staff who are delivering overall out patient waiting times for Integrated Health System would like people to be leaders in and consoled us when days were excellent value. consultant led clinics, and we will be Recently we presented to the Forum challenge and leaders of change. bleak. We were encouraged to eat, and We have to replace the phrase ‘more able to compare performance in these on the Health Sector an outline of the I would like people to focus on anything they could do to tempt our resources’ with the phrase ‘rebalance areas from one facility to the next. future for care under the Integrated solving problems locally, either with palates, they did. The friends I made resources’. During 2008, we have to At the moment, there is a lot Health System approach (see page 17). their own teams or in conjunction with while there will always be with me.” rebalance resources by moving them of engagement with local staff in The Acute Hospital Bed Capacity other teams. Where we can, we should to where they are needed most, and streamlining the data and ironing out Review provided the evidence to show I would like people to focus, at all emphasise our achievements, and be stop doing things that are no longer anomalies, and this effort is greatly that the integrated approach, which times, on reducing waiting times. This prepared to support each other by supporting our current priorities. appreciated. operates in the most advanced health can be done, for example, by reducing adding a more even balance to the Stopping is as important as starting, but systems, is essential for our future the time people spend in our facilities health debate. sometimes requires greater cooperation Performance Planning & health needs. This was followed by and the number of times they have to and determination. Review a presentation to the Towards 2016 keep coming back. This is one of the Our emphasis must be on reducing To further support our emphasis on Social Partners. The discussions most effective ways to free up facilities waiting times by building on the work of performance, we have also introduced that followed both events were for those waiting for access. the past few years. Naturally, we will face a Performance Planning and Review constructive and engaging. I would also like people to feel a many challenges, but our focus must - at Process which I believe will be very Integration is already underway in sense of pride and achievement and Professor Brendan Drumm all times - be on finding solutions that do helpful for us to set and achieve our many areas and there are many fine professional triumph from their work: CEO, Health Service Executive

daunting thought. But, thanks to family, in the paper. Nothing can prepare you and a bathroom. Most importantly, friends, my HSE colleagues and a for the sight of these shanty towns, these houses will have running water, Building More than Houses couple of bag-packing weekends in teeming with people; tin shacks that you electricity and sanitation. the supermarket before Christmas, I wouldn’t keep a dog in; makeshift roofs We sang Amhran na bhFiann…well, The Niall Mellon successfully reached the target. For with old tyres to weigh them down; we tried to, through the tears. It was anyone who is not aware of the Niall children running barefoot on the coarse, very emotional. We bade farewell to Township Challenge Mellon Township Trust (NMTT), it was dirty sand. Freedom Park. We hugged the friends founded in 2002 by Niall Mellon after And so to work. The building site we had made in the township. We By Deirdre Rooney he saw, first-hand, the dire conditions was a rainbow of coloured t-shirts. I wished them well in their new homes (National Programme Management Office, Transformation) in which people were living in the found the team base and foreman for and promised to visit next year. I made townships across South Africa. the stone-coloured team and reported friends for life and look forward to He organised the first of what was to for duty. Now, what will he do with renewing friendships when I return this become an annual one-week ‘Building an Administrator from the HSE and a year. My application and deposit have Blitz’ for the charity. The scope has been Manager from the Coombe? You may long been posted. building steadily since then, when 150 think you can do nothing, but there Volunteers are needed. If you volunteers built 25 houses in Imizamo is so much you can do. I set to work would like to participate this year, you Yethu. In the last five years, the trust with a small team of eight, working on must raise a minimum of `5,000 as has built over 5,000 houses in four two houses. I was a general helper for sponsorship. Applications from non- townships in South Africa. the skilled bricklayers. I mixed mortar, builders make up about 20 per cent November 2007 saw the blitz laid bricks, filled skips, shovelled sand, of volunteers. If you are physically fit, descend on Freedom Park, Mitchell’s helped the plasterers, and finally passionate about making a difference Plain - a township 40kms outside painted the houses. and willing to give up a week of your Cape Town. This township was On the final day, 1,350 people time, there’s a place for you. Every bit of created during the apartheid era gathered in the ‘garden of hope’ to hand help counts. Children welcome volunteers from Ireland who participated in the construction of houses for local and has a population of over 50,000. over the garden, community centre and Finally, to all my colleagues in the people near Cape Town South Africa in the Niall Mellon Township Trust project It is a desperately poor area, with houses to the community leaders. The HSE who kindly donated, I want to say a unemployment of at least 40 per cent target was surpassed and 203 houses big thank you. You made a difference. n November 2007, I had the most volunteers who travelled to Cape Town and a host of social problems (gang were built in the week. These will house For more information, please visit: I amazing week of my life. I will in South Africa with the Niall Mellon wars, drug problems and HIV Aids). 1,100 children and 450 adults. The www.irishtownship.com even use the much clichéd phrase Township Trust. Our goal? To build 200 Arriving in Freedom Park on that first one week of hard work has changed Should you wish to contribute to the ‘life changing ‘. With only two weeks houses, a community centre and a day, with 1,350 other Irish men and the lives of generations of some of the NMTT or to help with fundraising for notice, myself and my sister - Siobhan ‘garden of hope’ in just one week. women, was a very emotional thing. I poorest families in the world. They will this year’s trip, please contact myself (or Lyons, Patient Services Manager, The My first reaction was how on earth didn’t know what to expect. You see move from a one-roomed shack to a Siobhan) via email: Deirdre.rooney1@ Coombe Hospital – were one of 1,350 will I raise the `4,000 for the trip? A images on the television and pictures house with two bedrooms, a kitchen hse.ie or [email protected] p32 =ZVai]bViiZgh Heg^c\ '%%-