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staff magazine of the IRISH HEALTH SERVICE vol. 12 | issue 10 | SUMMER 2017
staff steps
to health
challenge Drink Less
Gain More
Initiative a great success AskAboutAlcohol.ie launched
features general news you section lifestyle
Welcome to the Contents HEALTH MATTERS sUMMER 2017
latest edition of You Features
Health Matters 06 Values in Action 18 Drink Less Gain More 34 Community-funded schemes
The story so far New alcohol website launched We take a closer look
VALUES in Action continues to go from
09 Diabetic cyclist 20 Planning for Health 36 Green Healthcare Programme
strength to strength as it moves from its
Breaking down the barriers Vital stats on future demands Getting staff more resource efficient
beginnings in the Mid West pilot scheme to
10 Eilis is honoured 22 Merlin Park exhibition 38 ADVANTAGE
corporate HSE, spreading culture change
Top award presented in Malta Rare glimpse into the past Tackling frailty in the elderly
50 13
from the bottom up.
10 Study published 23 Twiddle muffs 40 Quit guidelines
Staff around the country who haven’t yet
Olivia features in Medical Journal Renmore ICA support dementia patients Help is at hand to curb cravings
learned fully about Values in Action may
11 Volunteer trip 23 SIMMED programme 41 Social Inclusion Office
wonder what it has to do with them but the
Joy prepares for journey TY students explore career in medicine Support for the vulnerable and
reality is that it has a major positive role to
12 Hospice experience 24 BowelScreen report marginalised
play in all of our work lives.
Dolores tells her story Screening statistics unveiled 42 Integrated Care
We speak to the people involved to get
13 Royal visit 26 Health Technology International Conference held
their first-hand experiences – from the
Prince Charles is special guest at hospice Assessment Group 43 Sustainable healthcare
founder and sponsors to members of the
14 Quit campaign Meet the Team Infant formula food waste
project team and two of the champions
There are more quitters than smokers 27 Hand hygiene 44 Workforce of the future
themselves. Listening to their take on
16 Bravery award for Sophie Compliance levels on the rise Meeting the challenges ahead
Values in Action, it is very hard not to be
Youngster saves mum’s life 28 Electronic Health Record 45 Menu of Poems
won over by the energy and enthusiasm
17 Swimming pool heart attack Kerry mums on board Innovative day of events
they all show for the culture change
Dad fundraises for CPR training 29 ICT Helpline 46 Library service
‘movement’ across the health service.
New national number Get out and take advantage
And also promoting positive change
30 Green Ribbon campaign 47 Early Intervention Team
amongst us all is the Steps to Health
Talking will dilute stigma Event for parents
challenge where workplaces all across
32 Experience Survey 48 Vaccine uptake
the country took up the gauntlet to get out
Listening to and learning from feedback Don’t get complacent
walking and counting their steps for five
33 Safeguarding 49 KARE wins award
12
weeks, with the goal of reaching 10,000
National committee publishes survey Service for people with intellectual
steps each and every day - that’s the
results disabilities
equivalent of eight kilometres or five miles.
Fair play to everyone who took on the
pedometers and clocked up those miles
over the five weeks.
Elsewhere in this edition, we chat to
Janet Doyle, whose life was saved by
the quick-thinking and calmness of
her eight-year-old daughter Sophie.
Sophie contacted the ambulance
service after Janet collapsed at home
with anaphylactic shock. The pair were
reunited with the emergency call taker
who presented Sophie with a well-earned
certificate of bravery.
As always, a big thank you to all our
contributors and we hope you enjoy reading
this latest edition of Health Matters.
Joanne Weston
Joanne Weston,
Editor
18
51
This magazine is produced by the
HSE Communications division
Publishers: Celtic Media Group
www.celticmediagroup.ie Think Johnny!
Feedback: Send your feedback to Sexual health campaign launched
healthmatters@hse.ie
summer 2017 | health matters | 
online
Sites we like askaboutalcohol.ie
57 Try it and see event 71 healthpromotion.ie
Contents HEALTH MATTERS sUMMER 2017
News Lifestyle
50 Connecting for Life 59 Support services for elderly 68 Steps to Health
Dublin launch North Dublin expansion HSE staff take on walking challenge
50 Cork students unite 60 Psychoactive drugs 70 Photo exhibition
Suicide prevention consultation Posters target young users Kanturk hospital hosts event
51 Safe sex 61 Healthy Ireland 71 Come and try event nala.ie
Johnny and First Dates star link up Information leaflet published 30 turn out in Sligo
with USI 62 Integrated Care workshop 72 Tackling childhood obesity
52 Plain English Health professionals turn out Levels are on the increase
NALA awards for three HSE projects 62 Skibereen Day Centre 73 Winter warmers
53 New graft technique Anniversary celebrated in style Recipe book raises funds for Cork
A major step forward 63 MS patients charities
44
54 Rose Room New drugs management scheme 74 Healthy Food for Life
Quiet space for parents in UMHL implemented Sample menus now available
55 Community Inclusion Hub 63 Olympic rower visits 76 Undercooked beef
Service will empower users O’Donovan returns to St Vincent’s Be safe this BBQ season
56 Medical cards 64 Lourdes commendation 77 Interiors
New DCA scheme Psychiatric building earns plaudits Make the best of your small rooms
56 Dermatology clinic 65 Hospice-friendly hospital 78 First Drive
Opening at Ennis Hospital Group is formed We road test the Nissan Micra thinkcontraception.ie
67
57 IPad donation 66 World Kidney Day
Children’s Ark patients are all smiles Website launched to celebrate
58 Donation boost 67 Waiting list awards
US funds go to Letterkenny preschool Minister praises hospitals
14
| health matters | summer 2017 summer 2017 | health matters | 
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Section
Behaviour and culture change translates values
‘It gives us a common ground to unite on’
from words into behaviours Values in Action is about collective action by “Values in Action gives us a common ground to recent Leadership Masterclass at the Dublin
Bringing our values to life staff right across the health service, starting
in the Mid West, to make the values of care,
compassion, trust and learning a visible part of
unite us – as one champion said to me, “it’s for
ourselves and it’s for our patients”. The aim is to
enable better experiences for everyone – staff
Convention Centre.
“The presentation and panel discussion at the
Masterclass was part of the commitment to
what we all do every day. and patients.” bringing Values in Action to many other parts of
Living our values is a key part of improving workplace, we have translated outcomes for patients.The Values in Action uses a It is a social movement to shape a positive She highlighted the importance of the role the health service. We are planning to partner
the health services experience, our values from words into peer to peer approach to shaping our culture. culture – based on our values – in the health the champions are playing on the ground in the with service organisations in order to bring peer
for our staff and for those behaviours, or actions, that Our Values in Action champions have been service, explained Values in Action Lead and UL Hospital Group and Mid West Community to peer led culture change to other parts of the
we serve, as part of our we can all demonstrate. nominated by their colleagues and peers. They are Deputy Director of Communications Kirsten Healthcare. health system,” explained Kirsten.
mission to build a better drawn from all grades, disciplines and professions Connolly. “Today we have over 300 champions right She revealed that the response to the
health service. We call this Values in Action from health services across the Mid West. Our “We know thousands of staff live the across the health services in the Mid West. They showcase at the Masterclass has been
Values in Action is about Values in Action is behaviour champions will be leading this culture change in values every day, sometimes they are visible, are from all grades and all disciplines and all overwhelmingly positive. The feedback has been
actively developing a culture and cultural change that their peer networks. sometimes they are not. Values in Action is professions. And what is really special about that it was authentic, innovative and quite a
where our values are a way brings our values to life The values of care, compassion, trust and an innovative approach to shaping culture our champions is that they have been chosen by fresh and different approach. Many people seem
of life for us all – a visible in how we engage with learning are based on the HSE Corporate Plan through a peer to peer social movement, led their peers. Their colleagues are the ones that to recognise the need for it and that the timing
part of our everyday actions, each other in the health 2015 – 2017. This plan informs many of the by staff in our services. What is also unique nominated them for being the most influential seems right, she said.
throughout the health services services. Through significant changes currently taking place right is that we take behaviour-based approach, by and the most connected people in the health “Next for Values in Action we will focus on the
starting in the Mid West. Values in Action we can across the health services. translating our values into nine behaviours,” services in the Mid West,” she said. corporate centre of HSE. We are keen to show
Everyday thousands of our staff create a better working The organisation structure of the health services said Kirsten. The piloting of the initiative in the Mid West is that HSE at corporate level can walk the talk
live the values of care, compassion, environment for our staff is changing but the culture is changing too. Values “These are the behaviours our champions just the beginning of Values of Action. A team and that we are fully committed to improving our
trust and learning. Sometimes this and deliver better experiences to our in Action is part of a broader plan to Build a Better are demonstrating, having conversations at national level has just been established and culture. We are putting in place a project team to
is very visible, sometimes it is not. In patients and service users. Health Service, which involves numerous change with colleagues about, and spreading so they the concept was introduced to the wider HSE proactively shape the kind of culture we want at
order to shape our culture around these values, Evidence has shown that staff who are happier and improvement programmes currently underway eventually become the norm in the health service. when it was showcased at the Director General’s a corporate level so watch this space…
so that they are evident every day in every and more engaged at work lead to improved across the health services.
View from our champions
One of over 180 champions in the Mid West, selected by colleagues as a champion.
Ann Coady explained that Values in Action has “It was such a privilege to know that your
put a name on the values that most HSE staff colleagues see you as somebody that could
already hold. influence others,” she said.
“I probably already had all the values but The pair took part in the two-day intensive
it certainly focused my behaviour. It has ‘bootcamp’ for champions.
made me focus on the behaviours, on what Cathleen said it was very powerful that Tony
I do and how I interact with my colleagues O’Brien, Colette Cowan and Bernard Gloster
and patients,” said Ann, a Senior Speech and were all there to speak about the plans for
Language Therapist in the Derg Centre in Values in Action.
Nenagh, Co Tipperary. “It showed that they were willing to be
“It was a validation of the values that I champions themselves and that gave the
personally hold.” whole project a lot of credence,” said Cathleen.
Cathleen Osborne, a Clinical Nurse Manager “It was invigorating being there. We talked
3, Cancer Service in University Hospital through behaviours, and shared lots of
Limerick, admitted they have helped her stories. It was very positive and there was “People are beginning to be more aware of Action is doing for staff in the health service.” behaviours very well and others that don’t Values in Action in mind.
improve her own behaviour in some areas of great energy in the room. We were all very their own values and their behaviours. They Both champions revealed that becoming a do it so well so I try to talk to those people “We have gone on group walks, we now do
her work. like-minded people. I loved the ‘Yes We Can’ realise that we have the power to positively champion has changed the way they behave and find out what they think about different pilates every Tuesday. The champions here
“There are some that I knew myself that I attitude in the place.” impact things and to influence other people,” at work also. things and have a chat about it. They do take in the Derg Centre are planning a launch and
needed to work on. To help with this, I take Ann added, “The two-day champions day she said. “Since I became a champion, I have become everything on board.” have been chatting with people to get their
one of the nine behaviours on every week and was very intense but what I loved about it was “We are taking that power and empowering very conscious of my behaviours and whether As for the future of Values in Action, opinions and suggestions on what they would
I pay particular attention to that one for the that it was full of people who were genuinely ourselves. The whole Values in Action project or not they properly reflect my values. I have Cathleen stressed that it was vital that the like,” she said.
week,” she said. full of energy. The presentation to us showed is so empowering. Up until recently, at ground also become very conscious of any negativity momentum is kept up. “When I came back from the induction
Champions in the Mid West like Ann and that it was a change that was coming from the level people would be constantly focused in the working environment and if I am “It is important to link back in with the initially people were a bit cynical and I
Cathleen are talking to their colleagues about grass roots up rather than from management on waiting times; etc but the management contributing to that negativity or if I can do national project team, to meet regularly and suppose a bit bewildered. They didn’t really
the importance of spreading culture in a way down and that was great to see. Everyone in have shown that they are not just supporting something to challenge it. I have become very see what others are doing and to keep it very know what it was. But they learned very
that will make the health service a better the room was really hungry for change. the Values in Action but they are actively good at self-reflection,” said Ann. active and real. It’s very much about viral quickly that it wasn’t a lecture – it was a
place to work and give patients/service users “The difference with this initiative is that the endorsing it. “I now go out of my way to interact with my change. I want it to come full circle – in that movement. There are things like waiting lists
a better experience. It’s about sharing stories focus in not on the service users but on the “They are giving the staff permission to look colleagues and check in on them. It is very somebody tries to recruit me as a champion. that we can’t change but they have the feeling
where the behaviours are being seen and staff, teaching us that we need to look after after ourselves and in that way, the person important that we help each other and pull Then I will know that it has gone all the way now that there are things that we can change
talking about their positive impact. ourselves and each other.” on the waiting list or in the bed is not just a together as a team.” around and back again.” – how we interact with each other and how we
Cathleen admitted that it was ‘very And she said she believed Values in Action number, we can treat them holistically. And Cathleen added, “I try to lead as much Ann explained that locally, her and other can positively affect the working environment
powerful’ and a ‘huge responsibility’ being was staff empowering themselves. that is what I love about what the Values in as I can. There are people that show the champions have done a number of things with we are in.”
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View from our sponsors
Top cyclist pays a visit
Diabetes isn’t
Two of the key drivers behind Values in Action “It has allowed people a safe environment to
in the Mid West have been Colette Cowan and talk about the health service and where it is
Bernard Gloster. going. From the start, staff reacted so positively
The CEO of UL Hospital Group and Chief to it. When we asked them to nominate
end of the track
Officer HSE Mid West Community Healthcare champions from their colleagues, over 200
threw their weight behind the roll-out of were identified and that was a huge morale
the ground-breaking concept because they boost to these staff members. They felt valued.”
believed in its power to change the culture Bernard added, “Many of the people weren’t
among HSE staff. people I would necessarily have identified but
“I think in the Mid West we haven’t just helped the whole point was that they were chosen by
shape Values in Action, we have created the their peers, they were seen as the influencers. diagnosis of diabetes does not sports team of cyclists, triathletes and to the children and teenagers who attend
A
template for it and broken the ground for staff These champions have taken on the task with mean the end of the road for runners with almost 100 athletes from over our paediatric diabetes services here at UHL
right across the HSE by coming up with the huge enthusiasm and have, in turn, brought elite athletes. 20 countries. and indeed to the staff of all disciplines who
nine behaviours that underpin our Values in more champions on board, so it has multiplied.” That’s according to Limerick’s After Stephen made contact, he was invited provide those services.
Action,” said Bernard. He highlighted the uniqueness of the Values Stephen Clancy, a member of to train with the team’s development squad in “Stephen shows that while diabetes is
“There was a view that we could roadtest a in Action concept. the world’s first all-diabetes cycling team Atlanta, Georgia. a lifelong condition that needs intensive
viral change approach and myself and Colette “The unique thing about viral change is that Novo Nordisk. “Six months later I had signed a management, young people with type 1
Cowan decided to take it on across the Mid it is a pull factor, you are pulling a message up Stephen is also a diabetes ambassador and professional contract. I rang home and quit diabetes can still go on and achieve their
West and not just to any one service entity from the ground rather than pushing it down aspects of our work. It reminds us all the time told his inspirational story to patients and college and my job in the bike shop back in goals whether in education, in sport or in life
– it was in the corporate end as well as the from above, from the management level.” about those values and how we can show them. clinicians on a recent visit to the Children’s Limerick,” said Stephen. in general.
hospital groups and CHOs. Colette said that she has immediately seen “It has certainly transformed how I do my Ark at University Hospital Limerick. Since joining the team, Stephen has scored “At UHL, we have about 190 children and
“We felt it was important to get involved as an impact on the ground in the Mid West. job. Now as part of my executive management Growing up in Dooradoyle, Stephen was a some impressive finishes at home and abroad adolescents attending our service. They
we trusted the concept of Values in Action. “The main difference has been the change team agenda, each item on it must have a clear sports-mad youngster and decided to focus including 4th in the U23 Irish National Road range in age from about one to 18 years
We wanted to take the good behaviours that in culture. Staff are feeling empowered to do action linked to our Values in Action. We don’t fully on cycling at 16. Race Championships; and a fourth place finish old. Diabetes in children is an unremitting,
people use every day in an invisible way and extra things, things out of the ordinary, out move on anything unless that box is ticked. It Following a breakout U23 season, he on a stage of the Tour of China. life-long condition with a very high lifetime
use a method to make it visible and that would of the normal routine, in their work to make helps to keep it at the forefront of our minds. signed with Ireland’s top domestic squad, With Team Novo Nordisk, he is hoping to rate of complications. Intensive education,
influence positively the behaviour of others,” things better for themselves, their colleagues “The future of the project is through our Dan Morrissey-Speedyspokes. While at a qualify to take part in the centennial edition of intensive management and frequent regular
he said. and the service user. Values in Action has given champions and identifying more and more team training camp, routine blood tests the Tour de France in 2021 and to quality for contact with the diabetes team are the
Colette Cowan underlined the importance of them the confidence and the courage to speak people that can actively work to embody indicated abnormal blood sugar levels. After the Giro D’Italia before that. mainstays of improving therapy to minimise
Values in Action in the health services in general. up on things they feel need to be changed or the values of the HSE. It is continuing the a follow-up test, Clancy was diagnosed with “It feels great when you are in races around the risks of complications.
“The Director General wants to bring back addressed,” she said. movement across the health service,” type 1 diabetes. the world and some kid will come up to you “We expect that modern therapies, and
the caring and compassionate nature of “I think Values in Action is transforming every concluded Colette. “My consultant told me that it was one of and say to their mum or dad ‘Look he has the close attention to achieving near normal
professionals. Staff had lost our way a bit in level of the health service here in the Mid West. “It is important to note that these values have the most difficult conditions to manage and same pump as me’. It’s great they are able to blood sugars will protect these children
the tough years of the recession and a culture We have always believed in these values but always been here, we didn’t make our staff that I should limit myself to one mile per see a 250km, six hour race is not something and adolescents from the risks of diabetes
change was needed so I was delighted to get on now the behaviours that reflect those values adopt these values but we just made them more day, where I had been doing 200 miles per that’s beyond them and that I can spread that complications in their future. The young
board in such an early stage,” explained Colette. are more visual, they are a key factor in all visible in a very clear way,” added Bernard. day the previous week. In short, for me it positive message,” said Stephen. people with type 1 diabetes who attend our
was career death. The only question on my Prof Clodagh O’Gorman, Consultant clinic display great courage and tenacity,
mind was what it would mean for my cycling Paediatrician in Diabetes and Endocrinology, facing insulin injections every day of their
View from our career. I started researching online and University Hospital Limerick, said: “It was lives. It is wonderful to introduce them to
that was how I found out about Team Novo a great privilege for us all on the Ark to someone like Stephen Clancy, who is proof for
project team Nordisk,” said Stephen. welcome Stephen and to listen to his story. them that they can achieve their goals, even if
“I don’t think you can even call Values in Action Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes It gives huge encouragement and inspiration they have diabetes,” said Prof O’Gorman.
a project. In reality, it’s a movement. There’s no
end to it, it will continue to grow and expand.”
Sheila Ryan, a Values in Action project team
member, is determined to play her role in
ensuring it is a success in the Mid West.
Sheila, a Primary Care Physiotherapy
Manager on the front line at St Joseph’s
Hospital, Ennis, Co Clare, was nominated by
her line manager to join the project team. She
admitted that she genuinely had no idea what “We regularly meet up with the champions co-ordinators to increase the level of support
to expect. to support them and work hard to increase the available.”
“I thought it was just going to be a project number of champions joining on,” she said. Sheila admitted that there is some cynicism
with a start, middle and end. But I’ve been “I have been working proactively with the towards the Values in Action concept but is
amazed by the whole concept and by the team on a number of events, starting with the certain that the vast majority of people will be
enthusiasm shown by everyone who has gotten two-day bootcamp back in October. In the last won over once they know exactly what it entails.
on board with it,” she said. few weeks we held a champions café event, “Our main aim at the moment is to increase
Sheila explained that as a co-ordinator for where we invited the champions to Limerick awareness of it to staff. For example, I have been
the Clare area, she has to be very active in to share their stories and experiences and find invited to speak at a nursing unit in Clare to
promoting the behaviours associated with out what they need in terms of support. We are speak to staff there about Values in Action and
Values in Action. currently compiling a toolkit for champions and explain how it works and how it benefits us all.”
Prof Clodagh O’Gorman, consultant paediatrician; Stephen Clancy, Team Novo Nordisk and Dr Eoin Noctor, consultant endocrinologist at the Children’s Ark in UHL.
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Colleagues pay tribute Run For A life
eilis is the ‘Epitome
of patient care’ accomplishment of compassionate care”. and Clinical Lead National Clinical Programme “I also heard a young man on the Late Late
Irish woman wins top She first trained as a Public Health Nurse and for Older People, was full of praise for Eilis. show whose mother had been diagnosed with
European compassion went on to become the Assistant Director of “As an inspiring colleagues go, Eilis is one of the early onset dementia and whom Eilis had
Public Health Nursing in her area. Until recently, best, reminding all of us who is at the centre of supported throught his journey of loss. He
award for her role Eilis was Manager of services for Older Persons what we do - the person , not the patient or the described Eilis as his angel.
in Living Well with CHO6 (Dublin South, East Wicklow), and is now
General Manager of Community Services Social
illness. In the midst of all she does she manages
to find time to direct and drive all sorts of
“When myself and Joan Fitzpatrick began to
look to others for testimonials we heard so many
Dementia project Care division for the area. initiatives to find new ways of improving patient amazing descriptions to support the nomination.
The European Kate Granger Awards for care at home and across our health care system. “I think she is best summed up in this articulate
eitrim native Eilis Hession Compassionate Care aims to recognise people “She has a unique skill set which combines her quote, ‘She a motivational leader with all the
L
has been recognised for her and organisations that have delivered care with undoubted compassion and zeal for better care human, fiscal and clinical skills required to
outstanding patient care in the compassion at its heart. The panel of judges look for the older person with drive, enthusiasm and lead a whole community in creating a changed
European Kate Granger Awards for evidence of ambitious and innovative ways of the ability to get people to work with each other environment, that is actively supporting and
2017. Eilis was presented with her delivering care, excellent leadership and positive united in a common goal - improved integrated inclusive of people with dementia, enabling them
award by HIMSS Europe at their eHealth Week impact on patient experience. care for people as they age. While there may be to live their lives to the full in the community.’”
2017 conference in Malta recently. The Living Well With Dementia project many people who would be worthy of this award, Eilis epitomises what patient care is all about –
Eilis is the project lead on a three-year commenced in October 2012 and trials new ways I can think of none better in Ireland,” he said. the person, not the patient or the illness. As well
community-based pilot project, Living Well with to support people with dementia who are living Deirdre Lang, Director of Nursing National as her work on the Living Well with Dementia
Dementia, in Stillorgan, Co Dublin to support in the community, as well as those who care for Clinical Programme for Older People (NCPOP) project, she also directs and drives a range of
people with dementia to continue to live at home them. All members of the Stillorgan/Blackrock and Leadership Development Nursing Profession initiatives aimed at finding new ways of improving
and participate in their own community community - including shops, schools, clubs, Older People, said Eilis immediately came to patient care at home and across our health care
- see www.livingwellwithdementia.ie. recreational groups and businesses - are invited mind when the call for nominees came. system. Her hard work and compassion, along
“I am a great admirer of Kate. In her darker to join healthcare professionals to play a role in “I had never met Eilis but I had heard her name with her passion for better care for the older
days, while she was undergoing treatment for fostering a community that respects, supports many times both professionally and personally. people in Ireland, make Eilis a deserving winner
her illness, Kate still had the energy to try to and empowers people with dementia and where My own father has dementia and my family met of this award.
change the way patients were being treated. people with dementia actively participate in a her on one of the education programmes she In the words of Minister for Health Simon
She experienced that patients are not listened to safe environment. If successful, it is hoped that had supported. Harris: “If we could bottle Eilis we would have a
and cared for as they deserve so she worked to this pilot will influence national policy on the care “They described this kind caring and very different health service!”
transform that. I am very honoured to receive this of people with dementia, improving the lives of compassionate lady who always went the extra mile
important award,” Eilis said. tens of thousands of people throughout Ireland. and who made them feel that there were people in Eilis Hession is pictured with her award at the Sgt Stephen Lydon, Jack Donegan, Tullamore (12), Matthew Darcy (12) and Garda Gavin Duffy during the
The jury highlighted her “solid track record and Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, Consultant Geriatrician the “system” who genuinely care,” she said. ceremony in Malta. Irish Kidney Association’s Run for a Life family fun at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Dublin.
Hospice nurse featured in prestigious nursing journal joy prepares TO VOLUNTEER with orphaned Children
A Donegal Hospice nurse has had the results of her study A cross-sectional approach was adopted for this study. A Donegal Hospice staff nurse Joy Carroll has been developed countries.
published by the British Journal of Nursing in their June issue. convenience sample of 97 nurses employed at seven different accepted to go abroad volunteering in a Children’s “This experience made me change both personally
Olivia Wilson-Kelly is a staff nurse in the Donegal Hospice, units caring for older persons was selected. Questionnaires were Orphanage for seven weeks with the Missionaries and professionally. It gave me a greater appreciation
having started working there in 2008. Olivia completed her administered to these units for nurses to complete and return. of the Sacred Heart in the Drakensberg Mountains, for our own health care system but also as a student
Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) two-year programme in 61 nurses completed the questionnaire (response rate 63pc). South Africa which cares for the sick and vulnerable, nurse, it showed me the importance and value of
National University of Ireland Galway between 2012 and 2014, The findings indicated that increasing years as a registered nurse especially orphaned children with HIV and AIDS. basic nursing care, especially in situations when little
receiving an award of First Class Honours. improves palliative care knowledge and attitudes, while palliative Joy has been working in the Donegal Hospice for the or no facilities or resources are available,” said Joy.
As part of her Masters dissertation, Olivia carried out a study care education had no significant effect on knowledge and attitudes. past three years. This has been a passion of Joy’s since an “It will be a challenging experience as I know it will be
across numerous older person care settings in Donegal. This study There was a significant correlation found between level of knowledge and early age. Her experience in palliative care and working with a difficult to leave them after seven weeks, but palliative care has
examined the palliative care knowledge and attitudes of nurses working attitudes towards palliative care, highlighting that as participants’ level of child in the community with complex needs has inspired her to taught me that it’s the quality not the quantity that can make
in care of the older person settings, including both HSE-run community palliative care knowledge increases, attitudes become more positive. follow her dream and become involved in this project. such a difference to people’s lives.
hospitals and privately owned nursing homes. The reference for this paper is: Wilson, O., Avalos, G. & Dowling, M. (2016) As a student nurse, she volunteered in Thailand as part of “These children need all the love and support they can get,
“I thoroughly enjoyed my course and completing the Masters has Knowledge of palliative care and attitudes towards nursing the dying the Garden of Eden Community, which catered for the needs and I will make sure I will give my all to them, for the short time
developed my confidence in my nursing practice. It has also emphasised patient. British Journal of Nursing, 25(11), pp. 600-605. of sick and orphaned adults and children, suffering from HIV/ I’m there,” she added.
the importance of keeping abreast of new and ever-changing research and AIDS. When visiting a hospice she said it really opened her eyes
developments in healthcare,” said Olivia. Olivia Wilson-Kelly to the lack of facilities and support offered to those in less Joy Carroll
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First-hand experience of care
dolores has a ‘glass
half-full’ attitude
t’s easy to believe Dolores Craig
I
when she says she’s always
royal
been a glass-half-full person.
As she chats in her room in
Our Lady’s Hospice & Care
visit
Services in Harold’s Cross, her conversation
is punctuated with references to how lucky or
how fortunate she’s been over the years.
a boost
She’s lucky to have had three mothers: the
woman who gave birth to her, the mother who
adopted her as a baby, and the mother who
for
married her father after her ‘second’ mother
died when Dolores was just five years old.
She was ‘lucky’ to have six grandparents
- who she ‘rented’ out to school friends by
allowing them go with her (in exchange for a
penny or a sweet) on visits to the grannies and
hospice
granddads who were always happy to see her.
She’s had jobs that she’s loved, working in
the Wicklow hotel in Dublin during its ‘old- Dolores Craig Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services
world chic’ heyday, the Berni Inn, and later hosted a visit from The Prince of Wales
minding children for families to whom she during his recent trip to Ireland. He visited
became very close. This time, when cancer was again which the nurses make for her. the new specialist Palliative Care Unit, our
And of course there’s her own family, at diagnosed, Dolores decided she wanted no “You can get an ice-cream at 3 o’clock in Palliative Day Hospice and their ‘Bloom’
the centre of which is a much-loved son more treatment and, after a spell back in the morning if you want, I ring the bell and Garden where he met with many patients,
and daughter who, Dolores says, have done St James’s, came into the hospice on 29 a nurse will come. They are wonderful. I residents, staff and volunteers.
so much for her particularly since she was December. wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” “We are delighted that Our Lady’s Hospice
diagnosed with cancer almost seven years ago. “I had always heard that the hospice was She’s also quite matter-of-fact about having & Care Services was chosen for this visit
Then there’s the “wonderful” staff she’s a lovely place, the staff in the hospital were planned her funeral. The funeral mass is to be as it reinforces the need for excellent care
encountered during her sometimes-lengthy saying that I would be better off here, and said by a priest who was a former neighbour of the elderly, rehabilitation and care for
stays in St James’s hospital. they were 100pc right,” she says. from when she lived in Ballyfermot - she’s those at end of life. Hospices are places
“Every single human being that I met there “The staff here couldn’t be any better. I think lived in the city centre for the past 30 years of warmth and caring and help so many
was lovely. They work so hard, and I saw they all have vocations.” - and it’s to be in Rathmines where she went in difficult circumstances,” said Audrey
them stressed, but they made me feel like I Dolores smiles when she recalls this isn’t to school in St Louis’ when she lived nearby Houlihan, CEO of Our Lady’s Hospice &
was the only one,” says Dolores. her first time in the hospice. as a young child. Care Services.
“I used to be worried about them wasting “When I was six, I was in a play here, it was She made her First Communion in “The Prince of Wales has a long history
their resources on me at 73, there were so called ‘Home James, don’t spare the horses’. I Rathmines Church and there’s a long family of involvement in hospice care in Britain
many young people, including young mothers still remember it.” connection with it. “My grandmother and and has greatly raised awareness of the
who needed treatment. But they gave me the The difference between hospital and two aunts worked there for 130 years work in this area. We are honoured that he
same care, and were so kind.” hospice, she says, is that in hospital, the aim concurrently, cleaning Rathmines Church. has come today and met with our patients,
Dolores was diagnosed with ovarian cancer is to make the patient better and move them One of my aunts who is now 97 worked residents, volunteers and staff.”
after being admitted to hospital for treatment on while in the hospice, it’s all about making cleaning the church until she was 90. She has “We were also particularly delighted to be
for another condition almost seven years ago. them comfortable. the equivalent of an OBE from the Pope.” able to showcase our new specialist Palliative
“I got a pain in my chest and had to go to “There is no rush, it’s all very calm.” Another thing Dolores feels she’s been Care Unit, to which our first patients were
hospital. It was gallstones but in the blood Dolores speaks in a matter-of-fact way “lucky” about is that she hasn’t suffered admitted in November 2016 and which is due
tests they found cancer. I had no symptoms at about no longer being able to eat (because much pain during her illness. Now she’s for completion in early 2018.
all but I seemed to go downhill very quickly.” of a medical complication) and the fact that comfortable in her room in the hospice, “These 36 new single rooms and the
She was “quite ill” for a time then, but she’ll probably never eat again. chatting with visitors and devouring political expansion to our specialist Palliative
after surgery and chemotherapy, Dolores “I’m not hungry, the body is a wonderful programmes on TV - and of course the food homecare service will enable us to
was cancer free for 20 months. The cancer machine, and I don’t mind seeing people magazines. “I would certainly recommend realise our vision of providing with loving
came back and she had more surgery and eating. I’m reading every food magazine going the hospice,” she says. Read more about care, the highest quality person centred
treatment - and periods of relatively good and I never did that at home,” she laughs. Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services at palliative care for those across South
Prince Charles pictured during his visit to Our Lady’s Hospice.
health in the years since then. Dolores sips drinks and homemade ice pops www.olh.ie. Dublin and Wicklow.”
12 | health matters | summer 2017 summer 2017 | health matters | 13
You
Section
here are now more quitters
‘i want to sing it
T Ireland has more quitters than smokers
than smokers in Ireland.
You can join them and we from the rooftops!’
you can join them
can help.
Many of you will have seen Amongst those successful quitters is Nenagh
or heard the latest phase of the award woman Amanda White, who features in the new
winning QUIT campaign, which began in QUIT campaign. She talks to Health Matters
April with a new series of new TV and radio about how kicking the habit is the best thing she
ads that celebrate our growing, supportive ever did. Amanda started smoking when she was
army of quitters. a teenager because it was “cool”. She thought
Launched in Dublin by Minister for Health, quitting would be a massive task and something
Simon Harris, the new campaign builds on the she would never achieve.
success of previous testimonial adverts and “But, obviously, I am proof now that it can be
the work of all involved in Tobacco Control, and done. I want to sing it from the rooftops that I am
celebrates the fact that today in Ireland, there a non-smoker,” she said. support team. Just keep at it and it will work, your
are more ex-smokers than current smokers Amanda believes that the help she got from the cravings only last for three minutes so if you can
- and if you smoke and want to quit, the HSE QUIT Team helped to break her 20-year smoking distract yourself for those three minutes you’ll get
will help you to join them. habit. “They rang me every single week for the through it.”
The campaign aims to encourage smokers to first four weeks, and every morning I woke up to She said she wrote out four steps – the four Ds
make a quit attempt, to join the friends around a text, which was brilliant because it was really – delay, distract, deeply breathe and drink water
them who have made the leap. It reminds motivational – they were there for me.” and stuck the notes in places where she would
them that when they make that decision to She said that because she’s single and “didn’t normally smoke.
try to quit that there are people and supports have that support at home” the QUIT Team gave “There were ups and downs at the beginning,
available free of charge from the HSE to help her the encouragement she needed. “The places I losing sleep and stuff but once you understand
them – support that will double their chances would smoke, like when I’m at home, I didn’t have you’ll have those challenges, if you get up again,
of success. anyone there to push me along.” you can continue on.
Speaking at the launch Martina Blake, “I can firmly say that I’m never going to smoke
National Tobacco Control Lead for the HSE, Five-Year Plan again and if I can give one piece of advice to
said, “Our new TV and radio adverts celebrate Amanda says that her father passed away when anybody – just take one day at a time, because
the growing, supportive community of quitters she was 34, which made her ‘look at life differently’ that’s all you can do.”
across the country, many of whom work hard and when she turned 35, she set herself a five-year Amanda’s words on how her life is transformed
to support each other as they face their next plan. “I didn’t want to be a smoker at 40 because, over her 15 smoke-free months will inspire many.
quit attempt. like losing weight, things get harder when you ‘I feel fantastic. I feel younger, I feel fresher, I
“The campaign features a cast, including some approach to telling these stories, using the The HSE QUIT service provides personalised, QUIT Facebook Page. get older. It ended up taking me a year and three have more energy. My exercise has improved,
real life ex-smokers, who generously share their words and music of Gloria Gaynor’s much free, proven support by phone, email, SMS and www.facebook.com/HSEQUIT months and I thought it would take me five years. unbelievably I’m just generally happier.
experience of quitting to inspire others. loved song, ‘I Will Survive’, which we found live chat. It’s the best thing I’ve ever ever done.” If you have been going it alone, why not
“Like real-life quitters, some people in the ad mirror the feelings and stages many quitters The new ad encourages smokers to free call phone the HSE Quit Team on 1800 201 203 or
are in the moment of giving up, others are in go through on their journey to being free of 1800 201 203 to talk to the QUIT Team or to Pictured at the launch are the cast of the new QUIT Advice FREETEXT QUIT to 50100 to talk to an advisor or
a moment of truth around the effect smoking cigarettes. We also believe that using music in visit www.quit.ie to view personal stories from TV advert with Minister for Health Simon Harris When asked what advice she would give smokers visit QUIT.ie for your own personalised QUITplan
and Minister of State at the Department of Health
has had on their life; but all are defiant in the this campaign will mirror the uplift, pride and the campaign, get smoking cessation tips trying to give up, Amanda said, “I would just say - it might be just what you need to help you give
with Responsibility for Health Promotion Marcella
face of cigarettes and the harm they do. joy that we know people feel when they quit and create a personalised quit plan. Quitters Corcoran Kennedy and Martina Blake, HSE Lead for take one day at a time and contact the QUIT up smoking for good.
“For this campaign, we have taken a new for good.” can also get peer-to-peer support at the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme.
‘everyone has a reason for quitting and mine was my health’ - HSE supports help staff to QUIT for good
Yvonne O’Hagan was smoking since she was I’d never succeed. I had tried to quit before and Madeline, who was brilliant she would talk to work for one cigarette’. He got some lashing Yvonne’s Top Quitting Tips
17 years old and never thought she’d succeed it hadn’t work. But when I got some bad news us to see how we were getting on and answer the next morning I can tell you and he’s never 1. First and foremost you have to really want
at quitting. from the hospital about my health I knew I had any questions. I found the 24-hour NRT left them out again! to quit. You have to be prepared to put the work
“I’m 17 years working in the laundry at St to give up. Everyone has a reason for quitting patches fantastic. Don’t get me wrong I still “I always have money in my purse. I find I can in. I would recommend you use patches or
Brigid’s Complex in Ardee, Co Louth. It has its and mine was my health. had cravings but they weren’t too bad – I think save more money for holidays, I couldn’t do something as a kick start.
moments but I do like it. There’s a nice little “My main fear was that I’d end up with that was the patches working. I took it one day that before. 2. Think about why you want to quit. Most
crew of four of us and we have good craic. It can emphysema and have to wear oxygen 24/7. I at a time. “Recently I took my whole family out for people want to quit smoking and everyone has
be stressful and demanding at times, especially knew I wasn’t going to end up like that. I wanted “Two years on I’m still determined but lunch. I’m not smoking now so I have money to a reason for quitting – what’s yours? Use your
when we are short on staff then I have to cover to live an ordinary life. in some ways I actually find it harder now. do these things. reason for quitting to stay strong.
the office and the floor,” said Yvonne. “I had my last cigarette on Sunday, November Some days my job can be stressful and “I’m a lot healthier. I do have off days because 3. Give it a go - you aren’t going to succeed if
“I started smoking when I was 17 years old. 15th 2015 at 7am in the morning. The following I’m climbing the walls. My other half is still of my asthma. But everyone who speaks to you don’t try.
My parents didn’t smoke but we all did except day St Brigid’s would be a Smokefree Campus smoking and one particularly stressful day me says I’m not gasping for breath between One-to-one intensive support combined
my younger brother. I was heading to being a and I thought no way am I walking out to the he left 20 cigarettes on the counter. I picked sentences and I speak much better now. with drug treatments like NRT has the
heavy smoker. I would have smoked 20 a day road for a cigarette. I had seen a poster in St up the packet and held it. I put it back down “I’m thrilled and so proud of myself, highest success rates. The HSE offer
and then I found myself opening a second pack, Brigid’s offering free help to quit smoking and and walked away. I was dying for a cigarette. I especially of that night when I took up the this service over the phone or face to
so it was creeping up to 30 a day and more if I four weeks free NRT so me and another girl walked back, took a cigarette out and looked packet of cigarettes twice, to be smoke-free face with trained smoking cessation
was going out and having a few drinks. from the laundry said we’d do it together. We at it. Then I put it down and walked away and two years later. I’m delighted to say there are practitioners for staff free of charge.
“I knew I wanted to stop smoking but I thought got support from the smoking cessation officer said to myself ‘Yvonne don’t undo all your hard no smokers here in the laundry now.” Go to Quit.ie for contact details.
14 | health matters | summer 2017 summer 2017 | health matters | 15
You
Section
Seven-year-old a hero NEOC BALLYSHannon marks ‘great
Sophie’s bravery
achievement’ of ace standard
Congratulations to National work along the way. What I clearly
Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) witnessed on the journey, was that once
saves mum’s life
Ballyshannon on the award of the ACE we managed to get all staff working as a
standard, presented recently at the team, this unity created a singular/shared
Navigator Conference in Dublin. focus which was the key to this successful
The ACE standard is awarded by the outcome and it is great that we now
International Academies of Emergency have the accreditation along with our
Dispatch. The road to achieving the colleagues in Tallaght,” said Tony.
ut for the quick-thinking and needed help,” said the proud mum. well enough to accompany Sophie to the ACE standard provided great learning “I want to say a big thank you to all the staff
B
calm head of seven-year-old Sophie rang 999 and was able to tell them National Emergency Operations Centre in for everyone involved in the processs, at various levels within NEOC who assisted
Sophie Doyle, her mum Janet that Janet was in anaphylactic shock and that Tallaght on the invitation of the National according to Tony Cummins, Manager, in Ballyshannon achieving the ACE standard.
would not have been around to she had taken a shot. Ambulance Service. NEOC Ballyshannon. Achieving this standard most certainly has
recount this amazing story. “She spoke to the dispatcher and was able “She had been very panicked after the “This is a great achievement for all given confidence to staff, as well as creating
Janet Doyle went into anaphylactic to tell them exactly where we were and what incident and had bad dreams for a while NEOC staff in Ballyshannon. It has been a bond among them, which adds to our
shock while home with her daughter in the was going on. She even gave them the number afterwards. But when she went up to Dublin an interesting journey with lots of hard overall goal – a high standard of patient care.”
tiny village of Errill, Co Laois. Janet has for her Aunt Eileen so they could contact her to meet Aoife and to see the guys in Tallaght,
a long-term illness where she is at risk of to come over,” said Janet. it was as if a light was switched off and she
anaphylaxis and had regularly spoken to “The dispatcher Aoife was incredible. She felt so much better,” she said.
Sophie about what to expect and what to do in managed to keep Sophie calm and notify “She was able to see how everything works EMS Gathering 2017
an emergency. Eileen to come over. and all the people that are at the end of the
But she was not expecting her ‘baby’ seven- “I am actually amazed at the service one phone when you ring 999.
year-old to come to rescue in such a vital way. person can get. The whole ambulance and “Aoife came in on her day off to meet Sophie
“If it wasn’t for her quick-thinking, I would be dispatch team pulled together to get me and I think it was good for her too to see the little
dead. She saved my life,” she said. safely to hospital. Every single piece of the girl that she helped on the phone that day.”
“She has seen me in anaphylactic shock operation worked perfectly. If one of the pieces Janet added that the whole incident
before and she knows how we usually react to doesn’t work, then the system doesn’t work. highlighted the need for people in small “When every second counts, you need to
it. We have spoken to her about my condition “I was in such severe shock that I ended up country villages to know and use their eircodes. make sure that the ambulance can get to you
and what to do in an emergency, but you say needing a number of shots. So that shot that “We live in a tiny village so it can be hard as quickly as possible.”
a lot of things to kids and you assume that a Sophie got for me was critical. If I hadn’t got for ambulance drivers to find houses because
lot of it is not going in. I couldn’t believe that that shot then, I wouldn’t have made it. It is as there are no numbers. Sophie had to try to
she had the presence of mind to get me my simple as that,” she explained. explain exactly where we were, saying that
Sophie Doyle receives her certificate of bravery
adrenaline shot for me to take and then phone Janet had to spend a few days recovering our house was the one with the little girl from Emergency Call Taker Aoife at NAS
for an ambulance. She knew that mammy in St James’ Hospital in Dublin but was standing in the window,” said Janet. headquarters.
and found out they are about to kick off a
dAD RAISES FUNDS fundraising drive to raise money to provide
AFTER POOL RESCUE CPR training in all secondary schools around
Limerick.
A 46-year-old father of three who had a
“So, in conjunction with the Irish Heart
heart attack while in the swimming pool at the
Foundation, I launched a fundraising drive
University of Limerick has raised thousands of
because if we raise the funds to increase
euro for defibrillators in garda patrol cars and
the number of AEDs and people with CPR
CPR training for secondary school students in
training in Limerick city, we can and will save
the area.
lives and allow another mother or father like
Barry Long was swimming in the deep end
me to see their children grow up.”
of the 50m pool when he had the heart attack
Through his Just Giving page, Barry has
and would have died but for the fast actions of
already raised over €7,000 after an initial
the well-trained lifeguarding team and some
target of €6,000.
bystanders with CPR.
was the determination of all involved that responders, they react to text alerts for things He and his family recently paid a visit to the
“They were supported by the Garda - a
they were not prepared to let me go that I am like heart attacks, choking; etc within a 10km paramedics who treated him to thank them
trained first responder - and the Ambulance
here at home recovering with my three boys radius of Mayorstone Garda station in the for their lifesaving efforts.
service and thanks to all involved that I am
- Adam 12, Evan 10, and Hugo 6 - and my wife north of Limerck city.
here to tell the tale. They allowed me to
Sarah. I had just lost my mother Bernie to “However, they have only one AED in one
recover enough so the cardiac team in UHL Geraldine Meehan, Paramedic; Donna
pancreatic cancer six weeks earlier so this patrol car and ideally could have one in each Mullane Paramedic; Barry Long and his wife
could put three stents in my heart and I am
could have been devastating had I not been of the three in patrol cars that regularly Sarah; Emma Kennedy Intern Paramedic;
now recovering very well. The Cardiac facilities Martina Bannon, Operation Resource
lucky enough to have been so well cared for.” patrol the city based out of various stations in
in UHL are world class and we should be very Manager; Pat Mooney, Asst Chief Ambulance
Barry explained that he became aware that Limerick,” he said.
proud the staff and the facilities,” said Barry. Officer. In front are the three Long children. Some of the 300 people associated with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) who gathered in
Paul and Niamh, the gardai involved, are part “I contacted the Anne Riordan the Regional Missing from the picture is Mark O’Sullivan, Kinsale, Co Cork recently for what was an inspirational few days of education and engagement
“My heart stopped six times in total and it
of a pilot scheme in which, as trained first Manager of the Irish Heart Foundation Advance Paramedic. in a spectacular setting. Photo: Arthur Carrony
16 | health matters | summer 2017 summer 2017 | health matters | 17
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