Midland Health Board news: July 2003

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Authors Midland Health Board (MHB)

Rights MHB

Download date 25/09/2021 02:09:55

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10147/43435

Find this and similar works at - http://www.lenus.ie/hse Midland Health Board NEWS July 2003 Health Service Reform CONTENTS Minister Micheál Martin Addresses Staff The Health Service Reform Programme . .2 Over 400 staff from all organised in the Board, Board members to hear From before the collaborated to ensure all grades, professions and facilitated by Nicola Fay their views on the government’s programme press releases, statements, locations around the Board and her team. proposed new health for health service reform copies of reports and even turned up at the Tullamore The CEO, Pat Gaughan, structures. was announced to the a video address from Minister Q&A ...... 3 Court Hotel to hear welcomed the Minister to The Minister’s visit to media, the CEO wrote to Minister Martin were Minister for Health and the Midlands, after which Tullamore was yet one all members of staff available to staff on the Children, Micheál Martin, the Minister addressed further step in the advising them of the Board’s Intranet site on the Diabetes Manual . . . .4 and the Secretary General staff. This was followed consultation process the Board’s commitment to day of their release. of the Department of by a 20 minute slide Minister and the communicating as With intranet access Health and Children, presentation from Michael Department of Health and effectively and efficiently available to staff through Staff Focus ...... 5 Michael Kelly, present the Kelly detailing the Chidren have committed as possible any desktop and laptop government’s strategy for proposed new health themselves to in announcements or computers in every Board Health Reform. structures and reasons for implementing any reform. information as it comes to location, and with six Many others watched the the reform. It also was yet another step hand. information kiosks located ISQSH Conference . .6 proceedings live via video Questions were then taken for the Board, in This has been largely throughout the Board from conferencing from the from the floor, and staff facilitating the minister’s achieved through the St Josephs, Longford, to Midland Regional Hospital came well prepared (see visit, to ensure as many Board’s website, where the the Midland Regional Hospital Watch . . . . .7 sites at Portlaoise and report page 3). staff as possible had access Communications Team Hospital at Portlaoise, the Mullingar, the first time Prior to meeting with staff, to the information and the Management Board’s website was the such an event has been the Minister met with available. Services department quickest and most Health Promoting accessible means of communication for staff. Hospitals ...... 8 Louise Cooney, Website Administrator, also very quickly developed a CD Special Olympics containing the key publications and Volunteer ...... 11 announcements, which was made available to the Board’s libraries and line Health Information .13 managers. Available on the Board’s website, with direct access from the home page, or ¥ Joint press release from under the publications Health Board CEOs section of the site are; ¥ Video of Micheál Martin • Micheal Kelly’s addressing staff of all presentation on the health health boards service reform programme ¥ Information regarding • Micheál Martin’s speech Micheál Martin’s visit to delivered the day the the Midland Health Board reform programme was announced The consultation process ¥ Press release June 18 on the proposed reforms from Micheál Martin’s will continue throughout office the Summer months. The ¥ The Health Service Office for Health Reform Programme Management has prepared Report a template to facilitate ¥ Brennan Report staff feedback. A copy of ¥ Prospectus Report the form is available on Minister Michael Martin addresses the staff of the Midland Health Board. ¥ Letter from the CEO the Intranet. YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY The Office for Health locations throughout the relation to organisation rationale for the changes key elements of the reform wish to attend workshops, Management (OHM) has Board’s area will take reform in the health proposed and securing the programme. a form for staff feedback is been requested by the place during the period, system; widest input as to how More information on also available on the Department of Health and July 21st to August 22nd, ¥ have a say in developing implementation can be these workshops will be Intranet. Children to facilitate a 2003. the best way to implement achieved. available from your Line The form can be found on communication/ The purpose of this the programme of reform. The process also aims to Manager. Please also the Intranet site. Click on consultation programme consultation process is to The consultation process maintain staff involvement check the Intranet Health Service Reform on the Health Reform ensure that all our staff: aims to achieve the in the change process and Noticeboard for dates, Programme. Programme in July and ¥ are fully informed about maximum possible make priority times and locations of You can also email your August 2003. the content of the awareness of the Reform recommendations on ways workshops. comments directly to 16 workshops at major Government decision in Programme, explaining the forward for implementing If you cannot or do not [email protected]. You can have your say. 2 MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 THE HEALTH SERVICE REFORM PROGRAMME A Summary

What will change? budget. The Health health service delivery. ¥ An overall 75% reduction now considered a number health system based on the ¥ A major rationalisation of Service Executive will be Health Information and in the number of Group C of reviews of the health Government’s decisions. existing health service organised on the basis of Quality Authority: Its meningitis cases. service which draw on The process, which will be agencies to reduce three service pillars. responsibilities will be ¥ Regional cancer and local, national and completed by October fragmentation. This National Hospitals built around three related cardiac care services are international sources. The 2003, will be aimed at: includes the abolition of Office: The National functions (I) developing being developed. need for change is clear ¥ Developing the widest the existing health Hospitals Office (NHO) health information; (ii) ¥ Over 550 extra beds in and the Government has possible awareness; board/authority structures. will be responsible for the promoting and new community nursing developed the Health ¥ Explaining the rationale ¥ The reorganisation of the management of the acute implementing quality units are in place Service Reform for the changes proposed; Department of Health and hospital sector nationally. assurance programmes ¥ Over 1,250 extra day Programme around what it ¥ Securing the widest Children, to ensure Specifically the NHO will nationally; and (iii) places have been provided considers to be the major possible input on how the improved policy be responsible for: overseeing health in new day care centres. system priorities. These implementation of the development and ¥ Planning, commissioning technology assessments. Within the structure of the are the need for: reports can be delivered; oversight. and funding all acute Consolidation and current system there is no 1. A national focus on ¥ Maintaining involvement ¥ The establishment of a hospital services Rationalisation: The one agency that is directly service delivery and in and support for the Health Service Executive ¥ Managing the capital Government has decided to responsible and executive management of process; and which will be the first ever programme for these subsume up to 25 existing accountable for the the system. ¥ Making body charged with services agencies into the Health management of the health 2. Reduced fragmentation recommendations on managing the health ¥ Managing national Service Executive, Health system as a national of the current system to priority ways forward for service as a single national waiting lists Information Quality service. As a consequence, make it more manageable. implementation of key entity. The Executive will ¥ Approving consultant Authority or the there is a significant degree 3. Clear accountability elements of the reports. be organised on the basis posts in publicly funded restructured Department of of tension between local or throughout the system Once all the data has been of 3 core divisions: hospitals Health and Children. In regional interests and 4. Better budgeting and received and analysed, a ¥ National Hospitals Office ¥ Contributing to national addition, another seven national policy - which service planning final report will be ¥ Primary, community and policy development bodies will be merged or makes the achievement of arrangements, continuous prepared for the Continuing Care ¥ Ensuring hospital Directorate services are properly ¥ National Shared Services integrated within the wider Centre health system ¥ The Primary, Community ¥ Managing the interface and Continuing Care with private providers Directorate will be made ¥ Ensuring the delivery of up of four Regional Health National Strategies, Offices of the Health especially on levels and Services Executive to standards of care. deliver regional and local Primary, Community services. and Continuing Care ¥ The establishment of a Directorate: This will be Health Information and responsible for the Quality Authority to ensure management and delivery that quality of care is of non-hospital services at promoted throughout the local and regional levels system. across the country. ¥ The moderernisation of Primary, community, supporting processed continuing and other non- (service planning; acute services will be management reporting delivered through a etc.) so that they will be in network of four Regional line with recognised Health Offices (RHO) international best practice. supported by the existing Community Care Area The role and function of structures (Local Health the various organisations Offices). The RHOs will within the new health act as regional offices of service structure are briefly the Health Services set out below. Executive, and will The Department of therefore come under the Members of the staff being addressed by Minister Micheál Martin, T.D. Health and Children same accountability national strategic quality improvement and Department of Health and Within the new structure structures as the Executive. abolished. This will healthcare priorities external appraisal Children. Interim findings there will be a clear The above structure will include the abolition of the difficult to deliver. 5. Robust information will also be reported to the separation of the executive mean that all the functions health boards and the It is widely accepted that gathering and analysis Department insofar as they and non-executive of the existing health Eastern Regional Health we need changes that will capability may facilitate decisions on functions of the boards and the Eastern Authority. help achieve national 6. Preserve and build on the implementation Department. Regional health Authority health care goals the strengths of the process. Health Service Executive: will be subsumed within Why do we need to efficiently, effectively and existing system The Government has In order to provide the new Health Service change? in an affordable manner. By basing change on these decided to put in place coherent management of Executive. Services will The existing healthcare The current structures are priorities, the Government robust structures to the system as a national continue to be delivered structures have come under not suited to deliver on this believes that it is possible manage implementaion of service, a Health Service through the existing increasing pressure in objective. In Sustaining to create a more rational, the reform programme. A Executive (HSE) will be hospital and lcoal health recent years. Progress, the Government accountable and series of action projects established outside of the office networks but they However, it is important to and Social Partners agreed responsible health service will be established, Department of Health and will operate within a acknowledge that they that the resources invested which is dedicated to supported by an overall Children. The Health fundamentally realigned have delivered significant in the health services need achieving the best Project Office. Service Executive will national management increases in output in to be used effectively to outcomes for the public. Each project will have a have its own board and structure. return for the investment achieve measurable health specific programme of will be accountable to the National Shared Service provided. For example and social gain. The best What happens now? work and defined outputs Minister for the executive Centre: The over the last five years: possible structures need to According to the Minister to be delivered in a given management of the health establishment of a National ¥ 21,000 more in-patients be in place to underpin there will be an extensive timeframe. service. An interim board Shared Services Centre are being treated future investment. They communication An interim Health Service of the Health Service (NSSC) with a remit for ¥ 160,000 more day patient agreed that the programme within Executive Board and Executive will be provision of shared cases are being dealt with implementation of reform the health service in National Hospitals Office appointed shortly. services across the wider (an incredible 65% would be driven by the relation to the reform will also be established The Health Service health system will provide increase). need to free up resources programme. The objective shortly to make early Executive will function as the opportunity for ¥ 24-hour GP co-operatives that could be reallocated to of the communications progress on the reform of a national agency that considerable economies of are in place in each health front-line service delivery. process is to present and the hospital sector and to delivers services, specified scale and the promotion of board area and more are The Government discuss the Minister’s help drive the overall by the Department, within a “single” standard of being established. commissioned and has vision for the future of the implementation process. MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, APRIL 2003 3 ASKED AND ANSWERED Minister faces the staff

Minister Micheál Martin, medical community that we a much more developed following the need centres of excellence, national and regional announcement of the particularly with some population health function, health reform programme, specialities, e.g. cancer. We so that population-based committed himself to are not talking about getting and needs-based allocation meeting health board staff rid of hospitals, we are of resources and setting of around the country to talking about reconfiguring priorities will be the model answer their questions services offered in going forward. directly. The turn of staff hospitals, depending on in the Midlands came on catchment and throughput. I Q. Will there be a review of June 26, and a large am not sure that (problems the role of the care Minister Micheál Martin, T.D., pictured with the staff who made arrangements for his meeting with number of us did not miss in Dublin hospitals) are due attendant in the hospital and Board staff in Tullamore, (l to r): Nicola Fay, Diane Ellis, Louise Cooney, Eileen Brophy, Minister the opportunity. to their size, as there are will there be training Martin, Catriona Dolan, Eileen Connolly, Joan Birmingham and Edel Farrell. benefits to bigger centres, opportunities? Upwards of 500 turned up such as higher throughput to hear the Minister in which helps with the A. It is already government A. Jobs are secure. We A. Agree it is vitally Minister is accountable to person at the Tullamore development of expertise. policy to enable people who have already met with trade important to maintain focus, the Oireachtas. In terms of Court Hotel. Others who The problems are due to a have practical experience unions and will continue to and we will be working personnel, we are looking could not travel the number of historical factors, and want to train further to do so to establish protocols hard to ensure that happens. for people whose skills distance, availed of a live such as lack of primary care do so. Implementation is a and ensure people’s rights match the jobs available. video-conference link at the development which leads to local level issue. and conditions are Q. What is the role of the Midland Regional Hospital a pattern of referral which protected. Legislation will Mental Health Commission Q. Will community mental sites at Mullingar and creates congestion, and it is Q. Making consultants handle the transfer of vis a vis the proposed health services be Portlaoise. something we want to avoid financially accountable and contracts. In terms of Quality Authority in subsumed and starved of Pat Gaughan CEO in the rest of the country. responsible for their where people will work, relation to setting resources as it has been in facilitated questions from budgets. How will this and the number of people standards? the past? the floor, while Nicola Fay, Q. Will there be any blight happen? Will they receive working in services, this is Regional Librarian, had the on developments while training in budget an implementation issue. A. The Mental Health A. Having a Director of onerous task of relaying these changes are being management? Most change will be Authority will continue and Community Care should questions to the video link implemented? managed through natural will have a very strong role ensure future allocation of sites - a task she performed A. Yes, there will be wastage. There are a lot of to play in terms of quality resources, which will with aplomb. A. It is not our intention training. There needs to be benefits to shared services, and patient advocacy. hopefully be more evenly James Gorman from that the structural reform be a culture change. But we so some people can be spread between acute care finance, and Diane Ellis used as an excuse to stop already have very good redeployed to front line Q. What is the role of the and community from the CEO’s office any development. Hanley examples of consultants in positions. We want to GP in the new structure? care....needs to be more manned the roving mikes, proposes a quantum leap management to draw on. manage the change so we ring-fenced certainty and soon the questions forward in terms of moving achieve our business A. Prospectus places the GP around community care came, almost two dozen in from a consultant-led to a Q. Based on population agenda and people still at the centre of health care delivery. total. consultant-delivered health, recent research achieve their personal provision, and there will be Jackie McNulty relayed service, and that will take (WHO, etc.) shows mental goals. a distinct focus on Q. The midlands has acute feedback from Portlaoise, time. But there will be no illness has the second developing GP services. In hospitals on three sites. while in Mullingar, that task halt on developments in the highest impact on quality of Q. Will there be funding for terms of structure, there are Will one be developed as a fell to Valerie Hand. Given meantime, based on the life issues. Given the the National Health 32 community care areas, centre of excellence to the the calibre of the questions usual budgetary rounds and commitment to population- Information Strategy? and the GP service fits into detriment of the other two? from Valerie, the Minister estimates, which will health based approach, will this structure. jokingly asked her to continue. this mean greater allocation A. ICT investment is A. Hanley will answer that accompany him to his next of resources to this issue? critical to the development Q. What personnel will when it is published in July. meeting with the Minister Q. Under which ‘pillar’ of health services. The make up the four regional But we need to stop for Finance! does psychiatry sit? A. The population-health Health Information Strategy executives, and will there thinking in terms of narrow approach underpins the will be published shortly, be political involvement geographic confines, and Here is a summary selection A. The majority of services national health strategy, and and we are working with ...transparency? work with what we have in of the questions askedQ&A and a will fit under the we intend to use this model the Department of Finance place. I don’t have the synopsis of the answers: community directorate, but in the future. on the issues around that. A. The regional offices will answer for you today. We some will fall under acute. The Strategy does have a not resemble the current have to wait until Hanley is Q. A lot of problems in our It is an issue we will look at Q. Will there be a national significant bill attached to Board structure in terms of published. acute hospital system are more closely during the ambulance service? it, but we see it is critical representation. The Director concentrated on the larger implementation phase to and will be working to of the regional offices will Q. How can we support Dublin hospitals. Does the ensure we have a unified A. We see the ambulance implement it. have an obligation to keep older people who want to Minister think there is a approach to the care of service organised on a local representatives live in their own homes in danger in evolving our patients in that area. regional basis, as it is at the Q. Structural change does appraised of plans, terms of resources? current system to larger moment. not necessarily mean developments, and hospitals, this will replicate Q. Will there be a reform in reform, but will use a lot of performance and to receive A. Funding of elderly care the problem of Dublin the way monies are Q. Can the Minister energy. Can we be sure we feedback from the public is a huge issue into the hospitals throughout the allocated to particular reassure people about their don’t lose sight of carrying through their future. We need as a country? services, and how money is jobs...will there be out the service and focusing representatives. At a society to face up to how prioritised? redundancies, transfers, and on best practice while national level, the Director we will fund care of the A. There is significant will contracts be honoured? changes take place? of the HSE is accountable elderly. consensus among the A. The new model will see to the Minister and the SUPERANNUATION

Name Area of Responsibility Tel No Ms Deirdre Mulvin Manager of Section 0506 27730 Mr Joe Walsh Retirement Lump Sums and Pensions 0506 27726 Matters relating to reckoning of temporary service, refunds of Superannuation, Voluntary resignations, Service queries from other Health Boards are dealt with by the following staff, on a geographical basis as follows: Ms Valerie Hinds 0506 27730 Co Longford (Estimate of Lump Sum and Pension for all staff) Ms Jane Mooney 0506 28908 Co Laois Ms Jackie Kelly 0506 28922 Co Westmeath Staff arriving to see the Minister. Ms Jeanette Verdon 0506 28928 Co Offaly 4 MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 Video Conferencing Facilities in the Midland Health Board

The recent successful Portlaoise where staff were facility to transmit X-rays by Video-Conferencing. in Ireland and Beaumont teleconferencing. transmission of Minister invited to put questions to from any of three sites, Our Video-Conferencing Hospital. Micheál Martin’s ‘Health the Minister. Mullingar, Portlaoise and equipment is compatible If you have any Video- Service Reform’ address to Tullamore to another site with other organisations Benefits to staff of the Conferencing requirements staff has once again Did you know? which can be viewed and using this technology. This Board: or would just like to know highlighted the benefits of Video-Conferencing discussed by a member of has greatly enhanced our ¥ Reduces the need to travel more about this facility, Video-Conferencing between sites significantly Board staff in real time. Board’s reputation in for staff. contact, JP Kehoe facilities available to staff helps to reduce travel costs This helps to save time and providing training and ¥ Eliminates work built up ([email protected]) in the of the Board. and can be made available reduce costs. education to staff. during absence. Library and Information For the Minister’s address, for staff meetings and Meetings which members Currently we participate in ¥ Reduces travel expenses. Service, Midland Regional we broadcasted the event education and training of staff travel to from one weekly “Grand Round” • Keeps the ‘face-to-face’ Hospital at Tullamore. from the Tullamore Court purposes. acute hospital site to presentations with the element lost in Telephone: 0506-46170 Hotel to Mullingar and For example, we have the another can be facilitated Royal College of Surgeons audioconferencing or DIABETES EDUCATION MANUAL SHARPS FOR PRACTICE NURSES An educational need assessment of practice nurses carried out last year identified a lack of AWARENESS DAY patient educational material suitable for use in general practice. In order to address this need Gráinne Nic Gabhann, Project Manager, Primary Care Projects led a project to develop a Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar Diabetes Education Manual for Practice Nurses. Recognising the importance of the involvement of primary and secondary care teams in the delivery of effective diabetes We wish to thank all the education, input was sought staff who participated in from dieticians, chiropodists, a very successful “sharps ophthalmologists, practice awareness day”. nurses, general practitioners, The aim of the day was to health promotion staff, highlight the dangers of diabetes nurse specialists and sharps and exposure the Diabetes Federation of incidents and outline the Ireland. The Board’s “What management of same. All you need to Know about staff members of the Diabetes” covers all aspects of MRHM and St. Marys diabetes care. It is now used at participated in a number of all three acute hospitals as the events on the day. main educational tool for These included: diabetes, promoting ¥ Sharps education sessions consistency in relation to (which were extremely patient and staff education well attended) across care settings. You can ¥ Children’s poster and Siobhán Meehan, Primary Care Diabetes Nurse and Gráinne Catherine Rock receives first prize in the Sharps Awareness contact Gráinne Nic Gabhann colouring competitions in Day colouring competition, from L to R: Mairead Hogan, at (0506) 26048 or email: Nic Gabhann, Project Manager, Primary Care Project two randomly selected Cardiovascular Health Strategy. Director of Nursing, Catherine Rock with her mother Frances, [email protected] schools and on the Praticia Healy and Liz Cooney. paediatric ward ¥ Staff slogan competition ¥ Hand hygiene awareness disposal and hand hygiene. MILLENNIUM LEADERSHIP ¥ Sharps awareness poster ¥ Quizzes ¥ Information and DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME competition ¥ Videos on safe sharp exhibition stand. While participating in the Millennium Leadership Development Programme, Carmel Brennan, Project Manager Cardiovascular Health Strategy facilitated a project that brought care providers together to identify relevant issues and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information in relation to diabetes care. Best practice guidelines in relation to adult diabetic patient education were identified and a diabetes education poster was developed, based on ICGP guidelines. A standardised nursing care plan for diabetes was developed and currently used by Diabetes Nurse Specialist in the Board’s three acute hospitals. Copies of the poster are available form Siobhán Meehan, Primary Care Diabetes Liaison Nurse 0506 27903 e-mail [email protected] The Diabetes Nurse Specialists contact details Ð Ms Breda McEvoy, Diabetes Nurse Specialists, Midland Regional Hospital at Portlaoise 0502 21364 e-mail [email protected] Ms Claire Crowe, Diabetes Nurse, Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore 0506 21501 Ms Cepta Reidy, Diabetes Nurse Specialist, Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar 044 40221 e-mail [email protected]

L to R: Mary McEvilly (CPC), Clare O’Dea (DNM) Paula McElligott (CNMII/Infection Control), Katherine Kenny (DNM), Grainne Keena (A/CPC)

Competition winners were as follows; Large poster winners Small Poster Winners: 1st prize, Marcella Bell 1st Prize, Theatre Personnel 2nd prize, Josephine Killian 2nd Prize, Lucy Tierney 3rd prize, BeckyTaljard 3rd Prize, CSSD personnel

Slogan Competition 1st prize, Olive Lennon , “Its smart to be sharps aware because “a careless endeavour can last forever!” 2nd Prize, Mary Heduvian 3rd Prize, Imelda Keena Quiz Winner; Kelly Kirby Student Nurse Breda McEvoy, Concepta Reidy, Clare Crowe, Catherine Plunkett and Carmel Brennan. Attendence Winners; Patrica Healy and Josephine Reid MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 5 STAFF FOCUS Dr. Kyran Bulger, Consultant Medical Oncologist

Dr Kyran Bulger was look for a cause. Why do make an enormous two rascals maybe, and appointed Consultant they look for a cause? difference. one or two saints. If you Medical Oncologist to the Because they want to Apart from good sense, a round in Oncology, you Midland Regional control what is happening lot of people try meet a different type of Hospital at Tullamore in to them. alternative therapies, while patient - the percentage of June 2002. A little over a I need to know that a bad scientifically none have saints approaches 90 per year later, Dr Bulger thing happened to me evidence to say they work, cent. Being with our talks to us about his because of X, that means if I would say they are patients is an enriching work. I control X it won’t happen innocuous, they do no experience, so it changes What is your approach to me again. It’s a very harm and often give a doctors. Nurses come in to treating cancer, and normal, natural defence feeling of control back to and never leave. There is what would be the most system to be in control, but the patient which is something about Oncology common cancers in the with cancer this can important. that affects people midlands? sometimes work against Will the day come when profoundly. The last line We have a team approach us. Often a cancer patient all cancers are cured? in a book by CS Lewis The to cancer, with a number takes the blame on Today, 60 per cent of Problem with Pain is of us involved. Depending themselves. He would cancers are already cured. ‘human suffering gives the on what the cancer is, I rather think he was This figure seems strange individual an amazing might take the lead, I may responsible and get the to people, but it is the case. opportunity for heroism’. assist, or I may have no control back, rather than Skin cancers are cured, It is outstanding how many role. The team is accept there is no control. early cancer of the cervix people rise to the challenge, so after you have walked with these Kyran Bulger, Oncologist heroes and saints for a long time, you really can’t training in Advanced particularly for the last go anywhere else. Computer programming twelve years or so as we In addition to your and Systems Analysis at had our own farm in the distinguished medical Trinity College. mountains around Seattle, career, you have also Teaching has also formed Washington. We grew our worked in IT and an integral part of my own food, and made our teaching? career, my most recent own clothes, and it was Yes. I worked for a time post being Assistant quite an idyllic life for our with IBM as a computer Professor of Medicine at children. We have seven programmer. Here I University of Washington. children, including two worked on the How are you settling sets of triplets. But development database back in Ireland after eventually homesickness networks for many of the being in the U.S. for so comes to us all, and after major Dublin teaching many years? the death of a realtive we hospitals. I designed the It is very nice to be home. decided it was time to Pictured at the presentation of a cheque from Kelly’s Bar, Ballycumber to the Oncology Unit at the first cardiac surgery I no longer have to feel return to Ireland. Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore were (l to r): Marie Geoghan, Assistant Director of Nursing; waiting list database in like a foreigner. Even my The midlands has been Bridget Kelly, Fionnuala Donoghue; Breeda Lynch, Ger Kelly, Mary Rosney, Dr. Kyran Boulger, Ireland for St James name in the U.S. was a particularly welcoming Veronica Lynch, CNM, Dr. Gerard Crotty, Sinead Donoghue, Student Nurse and Eamonn Brady, Hospital, and designed and problem for people, they because they are so Business Manager. implemented the first thought it was a girl’s grateful to have the service traditionally made up of People find it hard to is cured, colon cancer and bibliographic retrieval for name! And its great to be here. The Health Board three lead players Ð the accept that sometimes many breast cancers, with St. Vincent’s Hospital in back with family. can’t do enough for us, radiation oncologist, a cancer is like a bolt of early detection, can be Dublin. I actually We had a somewhat idyllic and the nurses I’ve found surgical oncologist and lightening that can strike operated on and cured. undertook post graduate life in the U.S., to be really excellent. myself. The type of any man, woman or child The process in curing all cancer determines who tomorrow, and there is no cancers is inexorable and leads the treatment. For way to control that. slow, but everything is so example, if there is a case What can patients do much better now than even of head and neck cancer, when they are diagnosed, ten or twenty years ago. surgical oncology, namely and do you place any What attracted you to ENT surgeons, lead the faith in alternative Oncology? treatment, followed by therapies? There is no special skills radiation oncology, and There is a lot of good or talents, but when people finally medical oncology common sense that can enter Oncology, they would have a role to play. prevail here, and I would rarely leave it. Before you The most common cancers never underestimate the enter Oncology there we see would be breast, importance of being in an might be little to attract gastro-intestinal, lung and optimistic frame of mind. you, but once you start genetiry-urinory, mainly Patients should go out and you never leave, and if prostate and some bladder socialise. It is better for a people do leave, because cancers. patient to have family for of burnout or whatever, What are your thoughts support, and not be on they all come back. on cancer prevention? their own. And it is good Working in Oncology We have to accept that we for a patient to exercise, profoundly changes you. can not prevent all eat good food, stop If you go on a round with cancers. It’s a common smoking, and become cardiology, gastro or any Pictured at the presentation of a cheque from the Hospital Saturday Fund to the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar were (l to r): Mr. John Murphy, Area Representative, Hospital reaction when people are healthier. Common good medical round, you meet Saturday Fund; Ms. Brid Shiels, Account Department, Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar; diagnosed with cancer to sense tells you this can many fine people, one or Ms. Valerie Hand, Business Manager, Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar. 6 MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 IRISH SOCIETY FOR QUALITY AND SAFETY IN HEALTHCARE Quality initiatives from all areas of the Board were displayed throughout the duration of the conference.

The successful 8th national families often just want to process mapping to The initiatives displayed on - Promoting mental Malnutrition in a Long conference was held in be told why errors improve quality and safety the day included: health through Stay Unit. Tullamore where the key happened and to be assured of service to patients’ by ¥ Evaluation of a weekend psychiatric consultation Author: Niamh. O’Keefe theme was ‘Patient that it will never happen Maureen Rasuol, OPD, Out of hours Community liaison nursing. Co-authors: Grainne Safety’. The keynote again. MRH Tullamore. Well Mental health Nursing Authors: Johanna Flanagan, Mary Dunne, speaker for the day was Sue gave us a useful done to both presenters and project; a pilot project McDonald-Skeenkist, Catherine O’Keefe Professor James Reason website for patient safety to all of those involved in one year on. Louise Johnston, Dr M ¥ The Saturday Club who addressed the research: both initiatives. Authors: Anne Cass, Claire O’Hanlon Authors: Margaret Carton, international perspectives www.publichealth.bham. Copies of some of the Hernon, PJ Lawlor, Co authors: Billy Bland, Dr Mary Mullins in patient safety. He ac.uk/psrp presentations are available Kathleen McLoughlin and P Jennings, Dr E Murphy, ¥ The Introduction of an explained a just culture can The Midland Health Board on the ISQSH website: Majella Robinson. M O’Hehir. Undernutrition Risk lead to a reporting culture, was represented at the www.isqsh.ie. ¥ The Role of the Joint ¥ Development of a Score (UNRS) to improve which in turn leads to a conference both in terms of Poster presentations on Replacement Nurse at Nutrition and Feeding the nutritional learning culture. oral and poster Quality Initiatives from all Midland Regional Policy in Long Care Stay. management of patients Sue Osborne from the presentations. Two areas of the Board were Hospital, Tullamore Authors: Grainne on an orthopaedic ward. national patient Safety excellent oral presentation displayed throughout the Author: Sheena Flanagan, Mary Dunne, Author: Theresa Foley Agency in the UK gave a were given: ‘Quality duration of the conference. Fitzmaurice. Catherine O’Keefe, Breda Co authors:Anita Hade, very stimulating talk on Initiative - Patient The posters were very ¥ Home When Fit Dowling, Fiona Woods, Fiona McMahon, using NHS wide reporting identification’ by Brid impressive and received a Author: Ann Guinan Chris Gipp, Niamh Geraldine Talty, Orlaith O systems to identify system McGoldrick, Director of great deal of interest from ¥ The Changing Face of O’Keefe Brien, Dearbhella Cooke, wide errors and generate Nursing, Longford and conference participants Mental Health in the ¥ A Qualitative Mary Mulvihill, Yvonne solutions. In her ‘Redesign of an Outpatient from all parts of the General Hospital Setting Investigation of Dowler, Tracey Malone, experience the patients and Warfarin Clinic using country. Attendance, Non- Carmel Berry. attendance and Attrition ¥ Cotsides at a Parenting Authors: Evelyn Farrell, S. Programme. Murphy MEETING WITH Author: Sheila Nevin ¥ The development, ¥ St Vincents Hospital implementation and teamwork project. evaluation of a U.S. DISABILITY Authors: Larry Dunne, M programme of Healthcare McGlynn, G Burke, Risk Management Catherine O’Keefe, Anna Training to improve SERVICE EXPERTS De Suin, S. Nevin, C. patient, staff and visitor Dolen safety and service quality. The Board hosted a visiting The exchange provided a ideas, as well as to share assistance to small ¥ Establishing and Authors: Macken, Annette; party from the U.S. as part valuable opportunity for best practice in the area of business, access to funding, Evaluating a Smoking McCaughan, Cora; of an exchange programme participants to meet with advocacy for people with special education and Cessation Clinic for McGarry, Margaret. between Atlantic Corridor experts in the field of disability. government policy. Diabetic Patients as Part Congratulations to all Ireland and Atlantic disability issues and to Topics covered during the The seven participants from of the Smoke Free involved for your positive Corridor U.s. funded experience examples of exchange included the U.S. were welcomed to Hospital Initiative. representation of the through a state best practice in both workforce integration, the midlands by the Board’s Authors: Patricia Carroll, Midland Health Board and development grant from the countries. The programme equality, transportation Chief Executive Officer, M Houlihan, Dympna for your hard work in U.S. promotes the exchange of options, technical Mr. Pat Gaughan. Killian, Kathleen Griffin, continuously striving to M Clancy, Noreen Hyland improve the quality of the ¥ Identification of services you provide. Patients at Risk

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Back row (l to r): P.J. Wyer, Offaly Parent Representative; Pat Gaughan, Chief Executive Officer; Elizabeth O’Donnell, Skating or Association for the Blind and Handicapped; Brian Garvan, Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Corridor Ireland; Cllr. John Flanagan; [email protected] Recebba Smith, United Cerebral Palsy; Jeffrey J. Parkes, Atlantic Corridor USA Inc.; Jackie Gorman, Atlantic Corridor Ireland; Eileen Nosek, Heritage Centre; Cllr. Sean O’Brien, FAS. Front row: June Galloway, Americann Disability; Susan Barlow, The Parent Network of Western New York; Don Galloway, American Disability Association and Breda Crehan-Roche, Director of Services for People with Disabilities. MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 7 Hospital Watch launched at the Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore

Hospital Watch was the environment in which in hospitals. Most people launched at the Midland both the Gardai and health respect patients, staff, Regional Hospital at staff provide services and other visitors and property. Tullamore in recognition security. However, this is not of the increasing “Even the most cursory always the case and, importance of the security reading of newspapers and particularly in recent and safety of patients, tuning into Radio and TV years, the Board has had to visitors and staff. There would give the impression allocate an increasing are currently over 800 staff that this country is always amount of its budget to employed at the hospital in crisis. Since the start of improved security in such providing 24-hour care to this year we have had ‘end areas as CCTV, lighting patients and outpatients. of life as we know it’ and having a security The Midland Health Board warnings on child presence on the hospital is the first board outside of pornography, followed by site. the major capital centres to teenage drinking, followed Mr Cregan said the Board introduce this programme. by random violence on our very much appreciated the “Hospital Watch is a crime streets, followed by SARS. advice of the Gardai and prevention programme in “There is also a tendency the work of the local which An Garda Siochana to personalise these very Crime Prevention Officer, and the Hospital Security serious issues of public Sgt. Padraig Farrelly, who enlist the voluntary co- concern. Someone must be was instrumental in operation of all staff at the made responsible and that establishing Hospital Pictured at the launch of Hospital Watch at Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore were (l to r): Jason Henshaw, Business Manager; Sergeant Declan Rock, Tullamore Garda Station; Glen hospital”, explained person can then be vilified Watch at the Midland Halligan, Maintenance Department; Anne Casey, Acute Hospital Services; Dermot Browne, Sergeant Padraig Farrelly, in public. Of course, any Regional Hospital at Health Board Security Advisor; Eamon Brady, Business Manager; Brian Cosgrave, X-ray Crime Prevention Officer one person cannot solve Tullamore. Department; Sergeant Padraig Farrelly, Crime Prevention Officer and Mary Mullins, Clinical Laois/Offaly division. these problems and it The programme was first Nurse Manager II. Working on the same would be simplistic in the mooted by the local Crime principle as extreme to expect that to Prevention Officer, Sgt A committee representing communication between Sergeant Declan Rock will “Neighbourhood Watch” a be the case. How often do Padraig Farrelly and was all areas in the hospital has Midland Regional Hospital be the liaison officer member of the Gardai we hear; the health taken on board by the been formed to bring at Tullamore and An Garda between the Gardai and from Tullamore Garda services should do this or hospital management who forward proposals and Siochana. the Midland Regional Station has been given the Gardai should do that!. saw definite benefits in the suggestions to further ¥ To distribute advice, Hospital at Tullamore. special responsibility to What is required is a programme. improve security in the literature and property Sgt Rock told staff at the liaise with the “Hospital community response and Sgt Padraig Farrelly, hospital. marking schemes. hospital and his fellow Watch” scheme. The active Hospital Watch represents Crime Prevention Officer, The aims of the Hospital ¥ To liaise with Victim Gardai members that he participation of all the staff that type of community undertook a security audit Watch Scheme are Support. was delighted to be in the hospital is requested response. throughout the hospital ¥ To provide a safe Addressing the launch of appointed to the scheme. to ensure that the scheme “The Board has an and grounds, which made environment for patients, Hospital Watch, “It is a worthwhile scheme is successful. obligation to provide a a number of visitors and staff Superintendent Peter between the Gardai and In attendance at the launch safe environment for recommendations to ¥ To promote crime Wheeler said the scheme the hospital. It will were Mr John Cregan, patients, staff and the improve security prevention awareness was a mutual policy that increase awareness of each Deputy Chief Executive of public which we take very throughout the hospital. A amongst members of staff, would work to the benefit other and also ensure a the Board and Mr Dermot seriously. Hospitals are number of these including patients and visitors. of all parties involved. “It safer environment for the Browne, the Board’s public buildings and large improved security in the ¥ To protect personal and is the third of its kind in staff and patients. It will Security Advisor. numbers of people visit on-call area and upgrading hospital property against the country,” he added. be run by the staff for the Mr Cregan, in welcoming hospitals, work in of the CCTV have already theft or damage. Superintendent Wheeler staff,” Sgt Rock said. the initiative, referred to hospitals and are patients been implemented. ¥ To open a formal line of also announced that local Board Launches Crisis Pregnancy Counselling Service The Board has launched a counselling service in the exploration of all Crisis Pregnancy Board’s area. available options and to Counselling service for The Crisis Pregnancy make referrals to medical, the region in conjunction Agency defines crisis counselling and support with General pregnancy as “a services as necessary,” Mr Practitioners. pregnancy which is Egan explained. The Board is the first in neither planned nor The counselling service is the country to provide desired by the woman being provided by such a service, funding for concerned, and which accredited counsellors in which is being provided represents a personal Athlone, Edenderry, by the National Crisis crisis for her”. It includes Longford, Mullingar, Pregnancy Agency. those for whom a planned Portlaoise, and Tullamore. Mr. Pat Gaughan, CEO, or desired pregnancy For appointments, clients, welcomed the initiative, develops into a crisis over GPs, Social Workers, particularly as unplanned time due to a change in PHNs, Psychologists and pregnancies are becoming circumstances. care workers can an increasing problem in “This new local, free and freephone 1800 200 857 Ireland today. confidential counselling between 2pm and 5pm, Mr. Jonathan Egan, service is to support five days a week, email Staff at the Board’s Crisis Pregnancy Agency lanuch, back row (l to r): Brenda Shannon, Project Officer; Paulette Fitzpatrick, Administrative Support; Jonathan Egan, Director of Counselling; Director of Counselling, anyone affected by crisis crisispregnancy.counsellin Eileen Dunphy, Clinical Audit; Dr. Siobhan Tempany, Primary Care Unit Link to GPs; Mary said the initiative was a pregnancy through the [email protected] or call 0506- O’Neill, Project Manager. Seated: Jennifer Gleeson, Administrative Support; Brege Doherty, link further step towards provision of a holistic 26370 from Monday - to National Crisis Pregnancy Agency and Lucy O’Doherty, Administrative Support. providing a general service, to facilitate the Friday 2-5pm. 8 MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 Health Promoting Hospitals Board Poster Presentations at International Conference For the first time since CoÐordinating Centre inception, Ireland was The National Director, invited to facilitate the pre- HPH, Ms. Ann O’Riordan, Conference workshop for visited the Midland Health newcomers with the Board recently to meet Danish and Italian with representatives from network. Ms. Orlaith member hospitals to O’Brien, Director of review progress. Nursing, facilitated this workshop from the Irish MENTAL HEALTH delegation. Feedback SERVICES indicated that there was a Ms. Amelia Cox chaired high level of satisfaction the meeting for Mental among participants. Health, where an Orlaith also took part in a exhibition of work done to plenary discussion panel date was displayed in on oral presentations poster format. These entitled, “The Patients posters were submitted to Perspective” by Angela the National HPH Coulter (Picker Institute, Conference and were London) and William C. subsequently accepted for Powanda (Griffin Hospital, the National ISQSH CT, USA). conference in Tullamore. Eleven were also selected Standards Adopted by for presentation at the International Conference International HPH Five core standards for Conference in Florence. Pictured during a visit by the National Health Promoting Hospitals Network to the Board’s Mental Health Services were back row (l to r): Tim Shrahan, ACNO, St Loman’s Hospital; Ms M Reilly, Catering Officer, St Lomans; Kate Brickley, HPH Co-ordinator; Ann Health Promotion in Ms. Ann O’Riordan O’Riordan, National Co-Ordinator; Mary Moriarity, Catering Officer, St Lomans; Julia Smith, Administration, St Lomans; Mary hospitals have been congratulated the Board Mulvaney, Dietician and Tony Gorry, APT. Front Row: Amelia Cox, Project Manager Mental Health Services; Louise Johnson, developed and piloted and in particular Mr. Joanna McDonald-Steinhurst PCLN, Yvonne Dowler, Project Manager Catering, Regina Reynolds and Catherine Griffin, Smoking under the WHO network Richard Walsh for leading Cessation Officers. of HPH. out the Mental Health Task A special word of thanks presentation of Certificates elaborate on activities with Clinical Audit The standards which relate Force in Ireland. goes to all staff from to new member sites. specific to their area. Service Planning Joint to patient pathway and Mr Tony Gorry and Nurse across the board who Long-stay Hospitals/Care Ms. Anne O’Riordan gave Project with Partnership define the responsibilities Regina Reynolds from attended and to the staff at Centres, met with the an outline of the HPH Staff Quality of Working and activities concerning APT, (an associate St Loman’s Hospital for National HPH Director at seminar/workshop, Life Survey & solutions health promotion as an member of HPH under the their hospitality. St.Vincent’s Hospital, organised in partnership generation, Joint Project integral part of all services mental health Athlone. with the National Council with Workplace Health offered to patients in every membership) attended and ELDERLY CARE Each location was invited on Ageing and Older Promotion. hospital were endorsed by spoke about their joint The visit commenced with to be represented, along People. Migrant Friendly Hospital the 35 networks at the project with the Health a special presentation of a with the local HPH Co- Ð European initiative International Conference. Board, (Supported Certificate to St. Vincent’s ordinators for “Enhancing Quality of Irish Heart Foundation Discussion has taken place Employment). Hospital, Mountmellick, Laois/Offaly, Ms. Mary Life for Older people in Catering Award, Joint with in Ireland to link these Amelia Cox, accepted the the first Long Stay Dunne and for Residential Settings” MHB Catering Project standards to the Irish HPH Certificate of Hospital in the Board to Longford/Westmeath, Ms. Plans to develop 10 steps Ms. Mairead Hogan from Accreditation system. Membership 2002-2006, receive the Bronze level Patricia Carroll, who to healthy ageing (similar the Midland Regional on behalf of the Midland award for the Smoke Free facilitated the event. to Baby Friendly and the Hospital at Mullingar was Annual Visit from Health Board, Mental Hospital Initiative. There A short synopsis of core Smoke Free Hospital presented with a National HPH Health Services. was also individual projects currently being Initiative) have already Certificate for Bronze implemented in Care been discussed with Level Award for the Centres in the Board was appropriate partners at Smoke Free Hospital provided. The projects national level. Initiative in Mullingar. are: All hospitals are striving The Tobacco Free Hospital ACUTE HOSPITALS for Silver Level Award to Initiative (core project for The National HPH comply with current all member hospitals). Director met with Ms legislation. ¥ Arts in Care Maureen Nolan, Ms First Announcement Call ¥ Music Network Mairead Hogan and Ms For Abstracts for ¥ Activity in Care Training Orlaith O’Brien, Directors National HPH (ACT/Physical Activity) of Nursing and other staff Conference, Nov. 2003. The latter three projects from the three acute The first all-Ireland focus on providing arts, hospitals. Core Projects Conference on Health music and physical and plans for HPH in the Promoting Hospitals is set activities for residents in three Acute Hospitals were for the 18th and 19th long-stay care settings and discussed which included: November 2003, at Cabra to date, training in each Smoke Free Hospital Castle, Co. Cavan, entitled area has been provided for Initiative “Communication for a large number of staff. Baby Friendly Hospital Ð Health”. Deadline for This was followed by a Breastfeeding, Joint submission of abstracts is summary of project Project with Health Friday 1st August. initiatives, both on-going Promotion and Clinical Anyone wishing to submit Senator Camillus Glynn, Chairman of the Midland Health Board, pictured at the launch of the and planned. Each Audit. an abstract please contact Board’s 2002 Annual Report with from L to R: (front) Cllr Peter Murphy and Cllr James Coyle. (back) Mr John Bulfin, Assistant CEO Acute Hospital Services and Mr Pat Gaughan, Chief individual location was Standards for Children in Shirley or Corla at 0506 Executive Officer. given an opportunity to Hospital, Joint Project 46280. MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 9 Experience as a Volunteer Special Olympics World Summer Games

The 2003 Special observations and Olympics World Summer treatments were fed into a Games are now over. Life central base at the Medical for the 7000 talented Control Centre in the Olympians from all across Phoenix Park. My five the globe will by now have days of duty as a nurse on returned to a more normal the medical team passed pace. Allowing for the like a flash and I fact that these games are thoroughly enjoyed very all about the athletes and minute of it. I was often their heroism, the role of moved to tears by the the volunteers in these gratitude patients showed games was a vital link in to me. One of the the massive chain of love, highlights of the games for friendship, care and me at any rate was how the community spirit. team effort was so 30,000 volunteers gave of effective in getting the job their time, energy and in hand done really well. I professional talents and know nothing on this scale abilities to ensure that will be seen again for people with learning some time in Ireland so to disabilities had a chance to have played an active part express themselves. The in these Games was an athletes and these games experience I will always have left an everlasting treasure. My very best imprint on the lives of so wishes to all who took many and will be part. My wish for the remembered forever as a future is that all the good huge success. As a work over the past year volunteer myself, I feel it Ann Howard with a group of Special Olympic Athletes from South Africa. will manifest itself in was a great privilege to greater awareness and care have played my part. I was scheduled to work at an the Medical Centre at all demand. Recording patient process down somewhat. of all members of our honoured to have “shared accommodation venue times under the guidance observations and My computer skills were a society with learning the feeling” with so many situated in the brand new of a co-ordinator who was treatments took a little great help to me. The disabilities. wonderful people. Trinity Hall, on Dartry also a nurse. The medical time. New names, different Medical Centre had an up- Ann Howard, It all began when I signed Road, Dublin. This venue personal wore red polo languages and fear of the to-date data base on each Community Mental up as a volunteer for the accommodated 300 shirts while other members unknown slowed the athlete and coach. All our Health Nurse Specialist. games last year. My athletes and coaches from of the volunteer team wore application was processed six different countries, the green, yellow or black. All and I was invited to attend Bahamas, France, Georgia, shared the same mission training sessions in South Africa, Suriname statement. The first shift A Programme of Clinical Athlone, The Point and Turkey. passed off very quickly Theatre and the College of On Sunday 22nd June and luckily the treatments Information Seminars for Health Surgeons in Dublin. 2003 I left my home and required were all within Following all the training family to join a team of my scope of practice. Service Managers and security check, I volunteers on the night Panadol, cough mixture became Volunteer 530 shift. Two nurses manned and ice-packs were most in September 2003 Ð February 2004

Organised by The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & Beaumont Hospital

This course is a series of ten one-day seminars held at the RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Each seminar consists of approx. five lectures on the relevant speciality.

The specialities covered are:- Surgery, Medicine, Cardiology, Public Health Medicine, Psychiatry, Healthcare Development, Laboratory Medicine and Radiology, Paediatrics, Primary Care, Accident and Emergency, Oncology, Palliative Care, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Anaesthetics and Critical Care.

Individual seminars may be booked.

Brochure will be available in July, in the meantime if you have any queries please contact: Ms Pauline Scarborough, Course Co-Ordinator, Telephone: 01-8093816 Email: [email protected] Colette Garry pictured with colleagues on the occasion of her retirement from the Operating Theatre at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore were (l to r): Dolorus Champ, Catherine Supported by Lilly Doolan, Brid Bracken, Ann Duignan and Ann Guinan. 10 MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 NEW INITIATIVES FOR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT A major online initiative from the Office for Health Management

AN online initiative which Discovery Centre. staff and employees receive framework for circumstances. will provide significant The new tools have been ¥ Service Planning On-line recognition for their work management development Meanwhile, the assistance to staff in designed to assist Initiative through a process which activities for particular Knowledge Centre carrying out their duties managers and staff with acknowledges their roles. provides access to leading and enhancing their own their work and their own Personal Development achievements and provides The Frameworks focus edge, on-line professional personal skills and personal development. Planning (PDP) is a them with ongoing exclusively on the resources across the core development has been The three new tools are: continuous development information about their management component of areas of Personal launched by the Office for ¥ Personal Development process that enables work and performance. the roles rather than on Development, Leadership Health Management. Planning Pack and people to make the best The Management specific technical skills, and Management And to make the learning Workbook use of their skills while Competency Frameworks such as accounting or Development and process even easier, the ¥ Management also helping to advance for Health and Social Care professional clinical skills. Organisational three new management Competency Frameworks both the individual’s plans Professionals and for They are presented in a Development. tools are available on the for Health and Social Care and the strategic goals of Clerical/Administrative highly flexible format and Check it all out on Office’s refurbished Professions and the organisation. staff are intended to require each manager to www.officeforhealthmana eLearning and Self- Clerical/Administrative PDP also ensures that provide a comprehensive tailor them to individual gement.ie/elearning

Longford Mental Health Centre Tops CNU Category at HPH Challenge Day The Longford Mental Health Centre participated for the first time in the Health Promoting Hospitals Challenge Day, winning the CNU category for their efforts. HPH Challenge Day is the HPH network’s Physical Activity Initiative, and commenced in Ireland in 1996 based on the successful International Day. The aim of the Challenge Day was to promote 15 minutes of ongoing activity between 5.00pm 7th May - 5.00pm 8th May 2003 and have as many participants as possible register their activity. Staff, patients and patient’s families all registered for the Longford Mental Health Centre. The calender of events for the day included; Wednesday 8.00pm Bowling Night Out - 36 Participants Thursday 8.30am Nine Holes of Golf - 5 Participants 12.00pm Walk in Mall - 30 Participants 1.30pm Five-a-Side Soccer - 10 Participants 2.30pm Ceili Dancing - 75 Participants The Bowling Night proved a huge success with staff, clients and members of families taking part. A few members of staff played golf at the early hour of 8.30am. The Staff from St Peter’s, Castlepollard were presented with certificates following a staff training day walks were organised and held in the Mall. The Mall complex kindly donated the organised by the Board for people involved with the Board’s Transfer Programme from residential five-a-side court free of charge so three members of staff played with seven clients. care to community living. Front row L to R: Gillian Roddy, Joe Woulfe of Joe Woulfe and The highlight of the day was the ceili where a wonderful afternoon’s dancing was Associates, who facilitated the programme, Peggy Doolan, Fiona Fox, Margaret Smyth, Deirdre enjoyed by all. A number of local Irish dancers and musicians also performed for the Ward, Pat O’Dowd, Assistant CEO Community Services, and Ann Carty. Back row: Patricia audience when the participating dancers needed a “sos beag”! A barbecue was Farrelly, Louise Manley, Ann Cullen, and Caroline Clark O’Reilly. organised at which there was a very large attendance. In all, 107 people participated, which was double the number expected. A second aim of the day was to raise money to sponsor an athlete for the Special Olympics. Over €2000 was raised, and two athletes were sponsored - Dane R Waites from Australia and Stellamaris Gonzalez from Argentina. EMPLOYEE The Mental Health Centre Longford won the HPH Challenge Day for the CNU category, and a plaque will be presented to the team for their hard work and efforts at ASSISTANCE SERVICE the HPH National Conference in November. Staff Counselling Services - Summer/Autumn 2003

Outreach Counselling Services continue to be available for staff and the Summer/Autumn Schedule is set out below. Services are provided in external, confidential locations. Note: Counselling sessions also available in Tullamore For an appointment please contact the service at:

Freephone: 1800 240 414 Telephone: 0506 28033 Fax: 0506-28044 E-mail: [email protected]

LONGFORD MULLINGAR ATHLONE PORTLAOISE BIRR - Friday am - Monday pm - Friday am - Monday pm - Friday am

25 July 28 July 18 July 21 July 18 July 8 August 11 August 1 August 18 August 1 August Pictured at the Happy Heart Catering Awards were front row (l to r): Michael O’Shea, CEO Irish Heart Foundation; Nevin McGuire, Chef; Emily Gray, Gallery 29; Jim Tynan, Jim’s Country 22 August 25 August 15 August 1 September 15 August Kitchen and Foodhall. Middle row: Mary Moriarty, St Joseph’s Hospital; Tim Johnstone, Tullamore 5 September 8 September 29 August 15 September 29 August Court Hotel; Alison Dowling, Preston House; Yvonne Dowler, Catering Project Manager; Pat 19 September 22 September 12 September 26 September 29 September Gaughan, Chief Executive Officer, Midland Health Board. Back row: Paul Johnstone, Gallery Bistro; Declan McWilliams, The Gallery; Maria McNeill, Hugo’s and David Roche, Le Crouton. MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 11 COMPUTER HELPDESK

COMPETITION NEWS click on Tools, Options and Congratulations to then Sending DROP US A LINE...... Ms. Linda Hardie, A&E In Tracking Options tick Department, Midland “Tell me when all messages If there is anything you would like to see in future Regional Hospital at have been read”. A green editions of the MHB magazine please let us know by Tullamore who is the tick will appear in your writing to msdInfo, c/o Management Services winner of the April inbox when the mail has Department, MRH @ Tullamore or by sending an Computer Helpdesk been read. e-mail to [email protected] Competition. Linda wins for herself a Automatically Spell Check (Please note that this e-mail address has been set up luxury hamper kindly Messages exclusively for magazine related articles and should not sponsored by Midland To activate the automatic be used to e-mail Helpdesk related queries - thank you!!) Computers Limited, spell check click Tools, Athlone. 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If you encounter any problems or issues with your PC, create an appointment by Training Forms. selecting a block of time (From “Our Services”, We would like to express our sincere thanks to Offaly Computer Printer etc.. please contact our Helpdesk on (e.g. 9.30) right-clicking, select “Management Systems for sponsoring such a fabulous prize and indeed, to Pat, email at [email protected] . and then clicking New Services Department” and for taking time out from his busy schedule to make the Alternatively telephone (0506)46178 or 6178 Appointment or New then “I.T. Training”) presentation!! (within Tullamore Hospital and Central Office). Recurring Appointment Ensure to provide a detailed description of your on the shortcut menu. There are also details of Alternatively, you can Customised Training NEWSFLASH!!! problem including your Management Services double-click on the selected Facilities for the MHB Department computer reference number (MSD block of time to bring up the region - this can be on a number) and your phone number. appointment window. one-to -one basis or for a number of people. NEW I.T. TRAINING Please refer to the Management Services Department ARRANGEMENTS FOR MHB USERS website on the Intranet for full details on How Do I Print a 1. logging SAP related calls Calendar with All 2. logging Helpdesk calls via email My Appointments in 3. call logging procedure it? Audiological Scientist 1. On the File menu, click This information can be found in the Print and then in the Print IT Support and Helpdesk section style box, click the print of the MHB Intranet style you want. Appointed To print the details of appointments and meetings, in the Print Style box, click S.Basava Raj has been appointed HINTS & TIPS OUTLOOK - Calendar Details Style. CALENDAR Audiological Scientist in the Midland This month we are offering 2. In the Start list and the Health Board. S. Basava Raj, known some handy tips in relation Right/left cursor End list, enter the first day as Dr. Raj, joins the Board from the to Microsoft Outlook Move forward or back one and the last day to print. National Institute of Mental Health day at a time and Neuro Sciences (Deemed 3. To set other print options, E-MAIL SHORTCUTS University) Bangalore city, India, Alt+arrow up/arrow down such as the paper orientation where he worked as Senior Forward or back one week or the fonts used, click Page Enter or Ctrl-O at a time Setup, and then select the Audiologist and Speech & Language To open a message, select it options that you want. Therapist. and press Alt+Home Jump to the first day of the Dr. Raj began his career as an Ctrl-P current week ~~~~~~~ Itinerant Audiologist and Speech To print a message Pathologist in Dr. S.R. Schedule an appointment Delete or Ctrl-D Chandrashekar’s Institute of Speech 1. On the File menu, point From the 1st June 2003 each & Hearing, followed by a post at the To delete a selected to New, and then click Line Manager will be message Appointment. responsible for booking and Choithram Hospital and Research 2. In the Subject box, type a processing payment in Centre, also in India, before moving Press Home description. respect of I.T. Training for to the National Institute of Mental To view the first message in 3. In the Location box, staff in their area. Health and Neuro Sciences. His a list enter the location. Up to now, this had been appointment with the Midland Health Board is his first foreign post. 4. Enter start and end times. facilitated by the Press Ctrl-M 5. Select any other options Management Services As an Audiologist Scientist he is responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of the To send or receive mail. you want. Department and cost coded 6. To make the appointment to the H.R. Department. Audiological service, and for the development and management of paediatric diagnostic To Display Notification of recur, click Recurrence. There are 2 training and habilitative audiological services within the Midland region. This extends to adults Incoming Emails locations - Longford & with special needs. He is based in Tullamore and operates in other areas of midland Click on Tools, Options and region i.e. Portlaoise, Mullingar, Athlone and Longford. on the Email tab tick the option “Display a notification message when DON’T FORGET In addition to his M.Sc (Audiology and Speech Pathology), Basava Raj holds a Ph.D. new mail arrives” WE ARE HERE TO HELP! degree in the same profession. He has several research papers to his credit. He has given many radio and TV talks on various hearing and speech disorders, as a part of public To Set Priority IF YOU HAVE AN IT RELATED QUERY OR health education. He has conducted several hearing screening programmes in normal and Click on the red PROBLEM PLEASE CONTACT THE special schools for the early identification of hearing loss among school going children. exclamation mark prior to HELPDESK. He has also participated in a number of “Speech and Hearing Camps” in India as part of sending email the community based approach to reach the masses and help with the amelioration of To Request Receipt from IF YOU DON’T CONTACT US WE CANNOT hearing and speech disorders both in children and adults. Read Emails DO OUR JOB OF HELPING YOU! Prior to sending an email Dr Raj will be joined shortly by his wife Kathyayani, (known as Bali). 12 MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 LABHAIR GAEILGE LIOM! - SPEAK IRISH TO ME! Cúinne Cabhrach - Help Corner

Bail ó Dhia oraibh go léir! Tá súil agam go raibh Más féidir, téigh chuig an Ghaeltacht ar shaoire chun Samhradh mhaith agaibh. Achtaíodh Bille an dTeangacha feabhas a chur ar do chuid Gaeilge. SEANFHOCLA Oifigiúla 2002 ar an 4 Iúil 2003. Tá impleachtaí sa méid If any member of staff would like to learn Irish there is a sin don tseirbhís sláinte ar fad. Beidh dualgaisí reachtúla self-instructional course available free of charge from the Tús maith leath na h-oibre. orainn chomh maith le dualgaisí de bharr na Scéimeanna Irish Officer. Think carefully before undertaking any A good start gets half the work done. Teanga. Tá tuilleadh eolas faoin Acht ar an leathanach course. Learning a language is not an academic exercise, Gaeilge ar an intralíon. it is a lifestyle change. First decide the reasons and Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. Hello everybody! I hope you had a lovely Summer.The motivation you have for wanting to become fluent in Praise youth and she will improve. Official Languages Bill 2002 was passed on the 4 July Irish. Write down the reasons. 2003. This has implications for the entire health service. There are four essential components in language Is binn béal ina thost. There will be legislative duties and duties arising from the acquisition: A shut mouth catches no flies. Language Schemes imposed on all staff. For further 1. Regular daily listening exposure (10-30 minutes per information see the Irish page on the Intranet. day. Passive.) Ná déan nós agus ná bris nós. Má theastaíonn ó bhall foirne Gaeilge a fhoghlaim tá Listen to/watch items that interest you, e.g. Listen to Don’t start a custom and don’t break a custom. pacáiste féin-foghlamtha saor in aisce ar fáil ón Raidio na Gaeltachta while driving to/from work; watch tOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge. Déan machnamh sula TG4 (Ros an Rún) or any other programme. Use TG4 Leigheas na póite gloine eile. bheartaíonn tú tabhairt faoi chúrsa ar bith. Ní rud acadúil subtitles. Listen to tapes/play games in Irish on your The hair of the dog that bit you. é teanga a fhoghlaim, is athrú saol atá i gceist! Déan suas Computer. Decide what you are going to do and write it d’intinn cén fáth a theastaíonn uait Gaeilge a fhoghlaim down on a timetable. agus scríobh síos na fáthanna sin. Caithfidh tú éisteacht le 2. Suitable learning materials. (20 minutes max) Excellent AN TOMHAIS - €100 mar dhuais/prize Gaeilge gach lá, ceacht ghearr a bheith agat gach lá agus courses for self instruction are now available. The basic Bhí an bua ag: caithfidh tú thar aon rud eile, Gaeilge a labhairt gach lá. course can be used to learn Irish for those who have never Thérèse Kinahan-Sayeh, learned any Irish before. It can also be used as a resource L/W Occupational Therapy Service, BASIC CONVERSATIONAL IRISH - BAIN TRIAIL for those who have been through the Irish education Cathedral Social Services Centre, AS CÚPLA FOCAIL! system to quickly remind the learner of the Irish he/she Bishopsgate Street, once knew going to school. The course must suit the Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. When visiting the book store use a few words of Irish: learner. Weekly classes are an option but a little every day Book Leabhar is much more effective. Book Store Siopa Leabhair Comhgháirdeachas leat! 3. Opportunities to speak the language are paramount in Freagra: Wasp = foiche Activity Books Leathair Gníomhaíochta learning to speak the language. Have a learning buddy - Adult Education Oideachas Aosach practice everyday together. A group of learners could in Adult Do dhaoine fásta this way become a ‘conversation circle’ or a ‘ciorcal Go raibh míle buíochas le gach duine a ghlac páirt. Advertising Fógraíocht comhrá’. The importance of speaking the language every Thank you everybody who took part. Better luck next Alternative health Sláinte mhalartach day cannot be emphasised enough - use it or lose it! You time!! Go n-eirí an t-ádh libh an t-am seo!! Annuals Bliainirisí will be surprised to find how many of your colleagues can COMÓRTAS eile : Art Ealaín answer you in Irish. Céard é an Gaeilge ar “Encyclopaedias” Arts and crafts Ealaíona agus ceardaíocht 4. Occasional immersion. (Once a year if possible) There What is the Irish word for “Encyclopaedias”? Autobiography Dírbheathaisnéisí are 7-day immersion courses available for public sector Nod:(hint) Breathnaigh ar na nathanna cainte Bargain books Leabhair ar lacáiste staff in the Gaeltacht run by Gaeleagras. You could take thuas. Check in the Basic Conversational Irish on Beauty Scéimh the family on a holiday in the Gaeltacht. If you are trying to help your teenager to improve their Irish for the this page. Bibliography Leabhareolaíocht Freagraí chuig: (answers to) Books on tape Leabhair ar téip Leaving Certificate there are clubs for teenagers to attend during the winter which build on the Summer College Bairbre Uí Theighneáin, Broadcasting Craoltóireacht Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge, Business Gnó experience and give students an opportunity to practice their Irish in a relaxed atmosphere. See intranet for details Lár-Oifig an Bord Sláinte Lár Tíre, Calendars Féilirí Bóthar Árdán, An Tulach Mhór, Co. Uíbh Fhailí. Careers Gairmeacha beatha of these and other courses. If any one of the four components is missing from your Cars Carranna personal learning plan, you will find it impossible to Celtic Ceilteach achieve your aim. How long will it take? Everybody is Censorship Cinsireacht different but you should notice a marked improvement Classics Clasaicigh after 6 weeks. Colouring Dathúchán Comhgháirdeas leis na daoine a rinne scrúdú sa Dioplóma Comedy Coiméide sa Ghaeilge!!! D’éirigh go han-mhaith le gach duine.Tá Comics Greannáin Cúrsa Réitiúcháin don Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge á eagrú don Communications Cumarsáid bhliain acadúil seo chugainn. Táthar ag súil tús a chur leis Computer Games Cluichí Ríomhaire an gcúrsa i rith mí Meán Fómhair. Má tá suim agat sa Computer Software Bogearraí Ríomhaire chúrsa seo cuir glaoch ar an tOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge. Congratulations to all the staff who undertook the Computers Ríomhairí examinations in the Diploma in Irish! Everyone did very Cookery Cócaireacht well. A preparatory course for the Diploma in Irish is Crime Coirscéalta being organised for the next academic year. The course is Crosswords Crosfhocail expected to commence in September. If you are interested Current Affairs Cúrsaí Reatha in this course contact the Irish Officer. Customer Services Seirbhísí do Chustaiméirí Tá deireadh seachtaine i nGaeltacht na Mí á eagrú don 26 Detective Bleachtaireacht Meán Fómhair. Má tá suim agat dul ann cuir glaoch ar an Diaries Dialanna OFG. Dictionaries Foclóirí Another weekend in the Meath Gaeltacht in Rath Cairn is Disasters Tubaistí planned for the 26th September. If you would like to DIY DFÉ (Déan féin é) participate just contact the Irish Officer. Drama Drámaíocht Má tá suim agat síntiúis Lá a thógáil ar ráta speisialta íseal Drug Abuse Mí Úsáid drugaí cuir glaoch ar an OFG 0506 27746. Encyclopaedias Ciclipéidí If you are interested in a special low subscription to Lá Entertainment Siamsaíocht contact the Irish Officer at 0506 27746. Entrepreneurship Fiontraíocht Suíomh idirlíon dhuit: Environmental An comhshaoil Websites for you to check out: Equestrian Eachaíocht www.beo.ie Erotica Ábhar earótach Online magazine in Irish with a very good learners European Studies Staidéar Eorpach section. www.nuacht.com Fantasy Fantaisíocht Lá the new daily Irish language newspaper online. Fiction Ficsean www.foinse.ie Films Scannáin The weekly newspaper in Irish online. Fishing Iascaireacht www.mhb.ie Football Peil The Midland Health Board website has an Irish page with Foreign-language novels Úrscéalta i dteangacha iasachta lots of information for anybody interested in Irish. Check Fundamentalism Bunúsachas John Kenny preparing to putt at the Board’s successful golf outing, held at the Tullamore Golf Club. out the alternative seanfhocla! MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 13 Health Information this month featuring Occupational Health Service Needle stick/exposure incidents involving Midland Health Board staff

Needle stick/exposure immediate treatment. carried out, again with the of others e.g. making sure to bring a responsibility to dispose of incidents are a major ¥ Depending on the patients informed written ¥ By never overfilling sharps box to the bedside it in the correct way. You biological hazard faced by Hepatitis B status of the consent. sharps boxes and reporting when bloods are being should not expect others health care workers and health care worker (have ¥ The Occupational Health to the appropriate taken or when some other to dispose of a sharp used unfortunately are all too they been immunised Nurse Specialists offers all personnel if wall mounted procedure is being carried by you. common in our working against Hepatitis B? yes or health care workers sharps containers are full out that involves a sharp. ¥ Let us all work together lives today. no), they may receive a serological (blood) tests at ¥ By putting only sharps in Sharps should never be in attempting to make our What is a needle booster dose of the 3 and 6-month intervals sharps boxes, i.e. only the placed in rubbish bags or working environment safer stick/exposure incident? hepatitis B vaccine, their following their needle sharp end of the giving set clinical waste bags. and reduce the incidence of ¥ A Needle stick injury is first Hepatitis B vaccine or stick/exposure incident. not the whole set, no ¥ Needles should never be needle stick/exposure defined as any sharp-ended be offered Hepatitis B Who are exposed to these gloves, papers, wrappers, recapped/resheathed incidents. instrument e.g. (razor, immunoglobulin (if the injuries? cotton wool, sterets etc ¥ Staff should always wear ¥ For further information scalpel, needle, introducer, source patient is known ¥ All health care personnel should be put inside the the personal protective please contact: i.v. cannula, surgical and considered high risk or (Doctors, Nurses, Porters, sharps box equipment that has been Occupational Health instrument, scissors etc.) if the source is unknown). Attendants, Care ¥ By closing up sharps provided for their safety Service that has been in contact Anti retroviral therapy may Attendants/Assistants, boxes once the safety line i.e. gloves, goggles/visors, Child and Family Centre with patient’s blood or also have to be considered Home Helps, has been reached etc. Springfield body fluid (urine, tears, if the source patient is Physiotherapists, ¥ By staff members ¥ By adhering to safe work Mullingar sweat) which has then considered high risk and/or Occupational Therapists, disposing of their own practices at all times, if Co. Westmeath gone on to pierce the skin the injury sustained was Radiographers, Morticians, sharps in the correct way, you use the sharp it is your Tel: 044 84482/1/0 of the health care worker. significant. The Doctor in Emergency Medical ¥ An exposure incident charge will make these Technicians, Maintenance involves blood or body decisions in the Accident personnel) working within fluid from a patient going & Emergency department. our hospitals, day care Board offers new Parenting into a mucous membrane ¥ A tetanus booster is given units, community etc. (nose, eye, mouth, or to the recipient of the ¥ Garda, Prison Officers, broken skin). needle stick/exposure Security Guards, Army Course for Separated Couples What to do in the event incident if they have not Personnel of a needle stick/exposure received a booster within How are The Board’s Psychology Facilitators of the course, decisions and events that incident. the past ten years. needlestick/exposure Department is offering a Jacinta Nolan and Mary seem out of one’s control. ¥ In the case of a needle ¥ In the A&E department, incidents caused? parenting course Durnigan, Psychologists Parents can experience a stick injury, it is very there are two packs, one ¥ Negligent and careless specifically designed for with the Board, believe the sense of being important that the injured for the source patient and health care workers who parents who are separated course will help parents overwhelmed, or lost, and area e.g. finger tip is one for the recipient. All continuously fail to or divorced from their with a number of this is usually when they partners. The course was challenges. realise they need help” she encourged to bleed and instructions regarding the dispose of their sharps in introduced in response to “These include the adults said. held under warm running steps to be followed, the correct way for requests from parents’ getting their separate lives The course will look at water for at least two bloods to be taken etc. are example: agencies, and referrals under control using how single parents can co- minutes. Do not suck the contained within each ¥ Leaving abandoned from GPs and schools whatever social and operate and parent their puncture wound. pack. needles, instruments, etc. regarding children who are psychological supports are children in a healthy ¥ Apply antiseptic (e.g. ¥ In A&E, the recipient, on trolleys, bed lockers, experiencing emotional available, and helping to atmosphere. The course is betadine) and cover with a will have blood taken for tables, shelves, on floors, difficulties as a result of create a new relationship structured over two hours waterproof dressing. Hepatitis B antibody titre mattresses or in rubbish marital disharmony. between the now separated for four nights and will ¥ In the case of a splash level and storage. bags According to Alex Carroll, parents and their children,” look at the following into the eye, the eye should ¥ Source patients will have ¥ Inexperienced/new staff Principal Clinical Ms Nolan explained. issues. be irrigated as soon as blood taken for Hepatitis B ¥ A sharp stab by a fellow Psychologist Laois/Offaly, “Parenting is always a Session One: possible under warm surface antigen, Hepatitis colleague, this usually the parenting courses on difficult undertaking, and Coping with loss; running water for 10 C and HIV screen with the happens in theatre, but can offer are an integral part of in a separated, divorced or Differing needs of adults minutes, or normal saline patients informed written also happen when taking the Board’s Family remarried family it can be and children; in the case of conjunctival consent or the consent of blood. Support Services and child even harder. Parents can Being a single parent; contamination. the next of kin. It is ¥ Rushed and over worked care strategy. be blinded by emotions, Coping with stress ¥ Identify the source extremely important to staff, who are under Session Two: patient if possible. Dispose obtain the source patient’s pressure from fellow Children and the effects of of the sharp carefully if the results as quickly as colleagues, patients or separation; source is identifiable. If the possible. The Virus visitors Listening to children; source is not identifiable, reference laboratory offers ¥ Overfilled sharps boxes, Communication please retain the sharp in a an out of hour’s service. with sharps sometimes Session Three: rigid container for ¥ It is the responsibility of sticking up out of the box. How to avoid conflict; laboratory investigations. the recipient to take the ¥ Staff not wearing the Separating parental issues ¥ The health care worker source pack back to their correct uniform (shoes from spousal issues who sustained the needle place of work and liaise covering the toes) or Session Four: stick/exposure incident, with their Line Manager to personal protective Introducing a parental (the recipient) should arrange for the appropriate equipment that has been plan; ensure that the Healthcare bloods to be taken from the supplied i.e. (gloves, eye Putting the learning into Risk Management Incident source patient. The Line goggles/visors, steel toe practice. Report form is completed Manager will then inform capped shoes). and forwarded the Doctor in charge of the ¥ Human error The courses will run for immediately to the source patient’s care and three weeks in July and in Healthcare Risk arrange to have bloods How can needle November in the Management Service. taken. In the community, stick/exposure incidents conference room of the He/she should go to their the Line Manager should be avoided? Child and Family resource nearest Accident & arrange with the source ¥ Competent staff who Jacinta Nolan, Psychologist; Alex Carroll, Principal Clinical centre, Dublin Road, Emergency department patient’s G.P. to have the think not only of their own Psychologist Laois/Offaly and Mary Durnigan, Psychologist Portlaoise from 7.00pm to launching the new Parenting Course for separated couples. where they will receive appropriate blood tests safety but also of the safety 9.30pm. 14 MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 CALLING ALL INTERNATIONAL ORPHANS!! Have you ever wondered why chips are called crisps? Been the only one in a conversation left wondering what the words “grand” or “yolk” actually mean?? On the rainy days, wish you had bought the sun from home to this beautiful country..? Well perhaps we can all get together and ponder these thoughts over a cup of tea...? I’ve been working for the Board now for nine months, have enjoyed the lifestyle, met some great people and seen some beautiful countryside. I’m interested in meeting others who have also travelled to work for the Board. We can share interests, stories and of course meet up for the “craic”! The idea is to meet others and build a support network for internationally recruited Board employees. Let’s get together, share ideas and go from there.... Please contact Tina who is based in Mullingar at [email protected] on 086 3808509 if you are interested.

Pictured at the Information Session, An Honest Day’s Work - Employment and Mental Handicap, were from L to R: Ted Harrington, Chairperson Mental Health Association; Marie O’Hara, NTDI, Caroline Sheridan, Adult Education Guidance Service VEC; and Tony Corry, APT/MESA. A Tribute to the Late Jacqui Rushton PRESENTATION TO THE As her colleagues and friends, we wish to pay a well deserved tribute to Jacqui. Jacqui, who was originally from Edenmore, Raheny, Dublin, and her husband Danny SPECIAL OLYMPICS left Dublin in November 1999 and decided to live in Mullingar. Jacqui worked in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin prior to her commencing work with the Board in July 2000. Our memories of our colleague are that she was full of vigour, she loved life, always ready to join in fun and laughter and always had a smile on her face. With regard to her work, her abilities became apparent soon after joining the Primary Care Unit when she was promoted to Asst. Staff Officer. In this position she was very popular with staff and showed her leadership abilities in dealing with people. Jacqui was a very hard worker and very reliable and no task ever seemed too difficult. The fruits of her work will be evident in Primary Care Unit for many years to come. Jacqui’s untimely death on the 14th January 2003 was a terrible tragedy and one that shocked the staff in the Primary Care Unit and throughout the Board. Pictured are from L to R back: Janette Cully, Tommy McCormack, Olive Quinn and Bertilla Macken of May we offer our deepest the Hospital Social Club. Front row L to R: Sarah Cully (athlete), Janet Murray, Social Club sympathy to Jacqui’s husband, Danny, her parents Angela and Fintan, her brothers Committee, David Corroon, (athlete), Andrew Kiernan (athlete) and Bernie Corroon, Chairperson, Daniel, Timmy and Paul and sisters Deirdre, Colette, Marita and Anne Marie. Mullingar Special Olympics Committee. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a h-ainm. Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar Social Club Members hand over a cheque for €650 Beidh sí inár smaoineamh go deo to the local Special Olympics Committee. The proceeds were part of a €1,650 raised at a From all Jacqui’s colleagues and friends in Primary Care Unit table quiz. The remainder of the money raised was given to the National Special Olympics to sponsor an athlete. MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 15 NURSING APPOINTMENTS Ms. Mary Lowry CNM II MRH Mullingar NAME GRADE LOCATION Ms. Anne Marie Kennedy CNM II St. Mary’s Care Centre MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATION Ms. Mary Costello CNM I Athlone Care Centre Mr. Oliver Cassidy Grade IV Management Services Dept Ms. Pauline Price CNM I MRH Mullingar Mr. Matthew Burke Grade VI Management Services Dept Ms. Jennifer Lalor CNM I MRH Portlaoise Mr. Ian Hunt Grade IV Management Services Dept Ms. Geraldine Brophy CNM I MRH Portlaoise Mr. Denis Maher Grade VIII Management Services Dept Ms. Josephine Killian Unit Nursing Officer MRH Mullingar Ms. Maeve Haughey Grade IV Human Resources Ms. Kay Kennedy Director of Nursing CNU Birr Mr. Thomas Murphy Clinical Risk Manager Ms. Bernadette O’Rourke Clerical Officer Mental Health, Tullamore Ms. Jennifer Garry Information Systems Management Services Dept Programme Manager RETIREMENTS NURSING NURSING Ms. Josephine O’Reilly CNM Specialist Substance Abuse Mr. Ted Harrington Asst. Director of Nursing L/W MHS Ms. Audrey Wright CNM II Riada House Ms. Mary Lyng Staff Nurse St. Mary’s Care Centre, Mullingar Ms. Mairead Kirwan CNM I St. Loman’s, Mullingar Mr. Patrick Leslie Staff Nurse Lough Sheever Centre, Mullingar Ms. Johanna Maher CNM I CNU Abbeyleix Mr. Bernard Reynolds Psychiatric Nurse St. Loman’s Hospital, Mullingar Mr. Kevin McGill CNM I L/W Mental Health Services Mr. Aidan Tomkins Psychiatric Nurse St. Loman’s Hospital, Mullingar Mr. Paul Folan Staff Nurse St. Brigids, Shaen Ms. Rose Walsh Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintan’s Hospital, Portlaoise Ms. Alvina Gibson Staff Nurse St. Vincents Mountmellick Ms. Annie Farrell CNM I Alvernia House, Portlaoise Ms. Orla Bolan Staff Nurse MRH Mullingar Ms. Anita Duggan Staff Nurse Longford Hospitals Ms. Bernadette Carew Staff Nurse St. Vincents, Athlone RESIGNATIONS Ms. Esther Browne Staff Nurse MRH Tullamore NURSING Ms. Frances Quinn Staff Nurse Riada House, Tullamore Ms. Anna Monaghan Psychiatric Nurse St. Loman’s Hospital, Mullingar Ms. Geraldine McGovern Staff Nurse CNU Edenderry Ms. Imelda Curran Staff Nurse MRH Portlaoise Mr. Frank Cotter Staff Nurse MRH Mullingar Ms. Catherine Leavey Director of PHN L/W Area Ms. Brege Jones Staff Nurse MRH Mullingar Mr. Aidan Lenehan Staff Nurse Alvernia, Portlaoise Ms. Ailish Mallow Staff Nurse MRH Mullingar Mr. James Sheerin CNM I St. Lomans Hospital, Mullingar Ms. Margaret Connor Staff Nurse Lough Sheever Mullingar Ms. Mary Ross Staff Nurse Longford Hospitals Ms. Shena Morcan Staff Nurse Cloghan House Tullamore Ms. Agatha McPartland PHN L/W Comm. Care Ms. Noeleen Keeshan Staff Nurse Riada House Tullamore NON - NURSING Ms. Anne Smyth Staff Nurse MRH Mullingar Ms. Sheila Downling Attendant St. Vincent’s Hospital, M/mellick Ms. Mairead Dowling Staff Nurse Laois Out of Hours Ms. Loretta Brennan Attendant MRH Tullamore Ms. Maria Buckley Staff Nurse Triage Ms. Beffie Browne Attendant St. Josephs Hospital, Longford Ms. Marian Egan Staff Nurse Riada House Tullamore Mr. John Mitchell Attendant MRH Tullamore Ms. Marie Savage Psychiatric Nurse L/W Mental Health Services Ms. Breda Smith Attendant CNU Abbeyleix Ms. Teresa Coman Comm. R.G.N Laois Area Ms. Anne Finneran Attendant Aide Athlone Care Centre Ms. Teresa Finnerty Comm. R.G.N. Offaly Comm. Care Mr. Herbert Shephard EMT Longford Hospitals Ms. Linda Veighey Comm. R.G.N. Laois Comm. Care Mr. Desmond Wade EMT Portlaoise Ms. Fiona Traynors Triage Nurse Out of Hours Unit CLERICAL/ADMINISTRATION NON-NURSING & OTHERS Ms. Anne Penrose Clerical Officer MRH Mullingar Ms. Paula O’Reilly Attendant Mountmellick, Co. Laois Ms. Majella McQuade Clerical Officer Longford Hospitals Ms. Kathleen Doyle Attendant MRH Mullingar Ms. Majella Hogan Staff Officer Finance Ms. Mary Quinn Care Assistant Lough Sheever Mr. Tjaart Boshoff Grade IV Management Services Dept. Ms. Laura Kenny Resource Worker Mullingar Resource Centre Ms. Lily Broderick Comm. Rehabilitation Asst. Birr Comm. Rehabilitation Ms. Kathleen O’Connor Comm. Rehabilitation Asst. Health Centre, Portlaoise Ms. Ellen Egan Chef II MRH Portlaoise Mr. Donal Mulligan Child Care Worker Residential Services Ms. Pamela Belton Child Care Worker Residential Services Ms. Catherine Carragher Child Care Worker Residential Services Ms. Amanda Gray Child Care Worker Westmeath Area Ms. Rose Galvin Child Care Worker L/W Area Ms. Carol Kelly Child Care Worker L/W Residential Services Ms. Anne Marie Carey Child Care Worker Residential Services Ms. Madelene Slevin Child Care Worker Residential Services Ms. Deirdre Godfrey Child Care Worker L/W Residential Services Ms. Kathy Heavey Child Care Worker Residential Services Moate Ms. Fiona McHugh Child Care Worker L/W Residential Services Ms. Fiona Scanlon Child Care Worker L/W Residential Services Ms. Joan Boland Social Worker L/O Area Ms. Jennifer O’Driscoll Social Worker Offaly Comm. Care Ms. Anna Nolan Social Worker Westmeath Comm. Care Ms. Eileen Leavy Team Leader Westmeath Area Ms. Patricia Doonan EHO L/W Comm. Care Ms. Pauline Gorman Comm. Rehabilitation Asst. L/O Comm. Care PARAMEDICAL Dr. Angela Farrell Area Medical Officer Westmeath Comm. Care Ms. Martina Collins Medical Scientist MRH Mullingar Ms. Cleo Talbot Medical Scientist MRH Mullingar Ms. Ciara Hurley Medical Scientist MRH Tullamore Mr. Gaffar Saka Olayida Medical Scientist MRH Tullamore Mr. Mark McKeon Medical Scientist MRH Mullingar Mr. Malabi Nana Radiographer MRH Portlaoise Ms. Fionnuala Ryan Physiotherapist Laois Area Dr. Basava Raj Audiological Scientist MRH Tullamore Ms. Zara Jane Metcalfe DSA L/O Comm. Care Mr. George McDermott EMT Longford Ms. Emma Ryan Radiographer MRH Tullamore Pictured at the retirement function for Mr. Pat Lynch, Director of Nursing, Lough Sheever Centre were Ms. Olywn Boland Radiographer MRH Portlaoise Mr. Patrick Murphy Senior Pharmacist MRH Tullamore front row (l to r): Finn Gallagher, Pat Lynch, Ted Harrington and Breda Cregan-Roche. Back row: Ms. Katriona Foley Senior Physiotherapist Laois Comm. Care Regina McGarry, John Gateley, Brendan Broderick, CEO, Moore Abbey; Peter Mallon, Pat O’Dowd, Ms. Nollaig Daly Pharmaceutical Technician MRH Mullingar Joe Masterson, Joe Reilly and Maria Wolfe.

PROMOTIONS EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE SERVICE MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATION Mr. Gerard Kinahan Supplies Officer Grade C Tullamore Ms. Julieka Cahill Supplies Officer Grade C Tullamore Ms. Christy Milmoe Supplies Officer Grade C Mullingar Ms. Karen Gilmartin Supplies Officer Grade C Mullingar Ms. Breda Dooley Risk Manager Acute Hospitals Staff Counselling Services - Ms. Teresa Kennedy Senior Executive Officer Primary Care Unit, Mullingar Ms. Edna Blake Section Officer NDP Office & Finance PARAMEDICAL Ms. Patricia Magennis Clinical Specialist Radiographer MRH Mullingar Mr. Eunan Connolly Senior Medical Scientist MRH Mullingar Summer/Autumn 2003 Ms. Sharon O’Meara Senior Pharmaceutical Technician MRH Portlaoise Ms. Sorcha Ni Bhanain Senior Speech & Language Therapist Westmeath Area Ms. Louise Lordan Senior Physiotherapist MRH Mullingar Outreach Counselling Services continue to be available for staff and the Summer/Autumn Ms. Anne O’Neill Senior Physiotherapist Athlone Care Centre NON-NURSING Schedule is set out below. Services are provided in external, confidential locations. Ms. Marion McManus Chef I Loughloe House Note: Counselling sessions also available in Tullamore Ms. Evelyn O’Brien Cook Grade I MRH Tullamore Ms. Margaret Nally Home Help Organiser Westmeath Area For an appointment please contact the service at: Ms. Angela Dunne Night Superintendent MRH Portlaoise Ms. Elsie McDonald Seamstress St. Vincents Hospital, M/mellick Freephone: 1800 240 414 Telephone: 0506 28033 Mr. Declan Recks Attendant Aide MRH Tullamore Mr. Mark Willis Attendant Aide MRH Tullamore Fax: 0506-28044 E-mail: [email protected] 16 MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD NEWS, JULY 2003 TRIBUTES TO JOHN KINCAID Midland Health Board Staff pay glowing tributes to John Kincaid for 42 years of dedicated Public Service

Glowing tributes were paid Community Care, Mr Stephen Kealy, Director to Mr John Kincaid by Laois/Offaly, described Mr of Psychology Services, colleagues and Kincaid as having an Sisters of Jesus and Mary, representatives of “encyclopaedic Monasterevin, praised Mr voluntary organisations, at knowledge” of the health Kincaid’s interest and work a function organised by the services and one who had a for the voluntary sector and Board to mark his firm belief in supporting said he engaged a vision retirement from the public voluntary services. which the services were service after 42 years of Mr Kincaid is currently still working towards. dedicated service. national chairperson of Age Mr Larry Bane, Director of Mr Pat Gaughan, Chief and Opportunity. Human Resources, said Mr Executive Officer, made a Ms Mary Culliton, Director Kincaid made a huge special presentation to Mr of Corporate Fitness, spoke contribution to the Kincaid on behalf of the of Mr Kincaid’s “vision personnel department staff of the Board. and integrity” and his during his time as Mr Kincaid, a native of “openness to new ideas”. Personnel Officer for the Ballinea, Co Westmeath, “He encouraged quality Board. started his distinguished and fairness ever before it Ms Mary Delaney, career with Westmeath was the title of any Administrator, Health County Council and document,” she said, Centre, Portlaoise, referred worked for a short time adding “services for Older to Mr Kincaid’s support for with Longford County People developed hugely in administration staff Staff at the Health Centre, Tullamore pictured with John Kincaid at his retirement function, (l to r): Council before taking up a the Board’s area as a result particularly younger of his vision”. Rita Donagher, Antionette Feery, Mary Carroll, Dolores McGuire, Helen Galvin, John Kincaid, position with the Midland members of staff and his Eileen Fletcher, Lisa Feery, Ann Kennedy and Nick Devery. Health Board when the Ms Eleanor Dowling, commitment to training Board was established in Director of Public Health and development of staff. Mr Kincaid’s support for Cllr Martin Rohan, current around the country. the early seventies. Nursing Laois/Offaly said Mr Kincaid was one of the Clochan House - a member and former Mr Kincaid thanked During his time with the Mr Kincaid’s clear thinking earlier organisers of a philosophy that was copied chairman of the Board everybody for their kind Board, Mr Kincaid worked and sound knowledge certificate course for throughout the country - described Mr Kincaid as a comments and said he in the personnel would be a huge loss to the administration staff with and for the concept of “great ambassador” for the believed he was “very department and latterly in Board. She referred to his the Institute of Public Independent Living. Board. lucky” in life having had Community Care as willingness to “share his Administration. “I do not know of any other Mr Gaughan described Mr the support of a great Administrator, Health vision” and his respect for Ms Maura Morgan, person who garnered such Kincaid as part of the soul family which gave him Centre, Tullamore. the role of each Manager Occupational respect both inside and of the organisation and one opportunities which other Mr Liam O’Callaghan professional in the Therapy Services outside the Board as John whose reputation carried people of his time did not General Manager organisation. Laois/Offaly, referred to Kincaid,” she added. through the health services have. Golf Prize Winners Diabetes Liaison Nurse Ms Siobhán Meehan has taken up post as Primary Care Diabetes Liaison Nurse for the Midland Health Board Diabetes Structured Care Project. A graduate of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, she qualified in Paediatric and General Nursing in 1989. She has a counselling diploma and is a fully qualified Practitioner in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her initial diabetes training took place in the Diabetes Day Centre in St James’ General Practice in Athlone in 1999. She became involved in the Diabetes Structured Care Project in 2000 and was funded by the Diabetes Project to undertake the Higher Diploma in Diabetes Care at UCD. She is the only practice nurse to have obtained this qualification while working as a practice nurse. A native of Athlone, she is married with one child and enjoys walking and swimming. We welcome her to the Pictured at the presentation of prizes to winners in the Midland Health Board Golf Outing, held at the Tullamore Golf Club were front

Midland Health Board and wish her every success in 0502 60860 row (l to r): Una Marsden, winner Ladies section; Pat Gaughan, Chief Executive Officer; Jacinta Joyce, organising committee; Pat Marron, winners Men’s section. Back row: Liam O’Callaghan, organising committee; Larry Giddens, Sponsor Cara People; Pauline her new and challenging role. Needham, sponsor Bank of Ireland; Brendan Walsh, Captain Tullamore Golf Club; Mary Culliton, organising committee; Liam Siobhan can be contacted at 0506 27903 McCormack, organising committee; Veronica Smollen, organising committee. e-mail: [email protected] imperial print