Dublin Rape Crisis Centre - St Vincent's University Hospital

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre was
founded over 25 years ago by a group
of people sharing a common concern
about the growing incidence of rape
and believing that services needed to
be provided for victims.
Since then the Dublin Rape Crisis
Centre has grown steadily in scope
and effectiveness. Today it employs
32 staff, of which 11 are professional
therapists. There are also two
trained volunteer groups who help
maintain the 24-hour crisis line and
attend on a 24-hour basis at the
Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in the
Rotunda Hospital to help victims of
rape or sexual violence. Our
volunteers also give educational
talks to schools, groups, etc. raising
awareness of the incidence and
implications of sexual violence.
We recruit and train volunteers
twice yearly. If you are 25 years or
over, and would like to become a
FLU VACCINE
Irish Heart Foundation
World Heart Day 30th Sep 2007
Be Active for a Healthy Heart.
Slí na Slainte led walk on Thursday 27th September
at 1pm and 1.30pm
Join other staff at the new main entrance for the
start of the 15 minutes Slí hospital circuit walk.
The Slí na Slainte is there for you to enjoy when
you please.
Irene Gilroy, Health Promotion Officer, receiving the Tom Hurst
Award from Professor Per-Gunnar Svensson, on behalf of the
International Network for Smoke Free Hospitals.This award
was given to St.Vincent’s University Hospital in recognition of
the hospital’s smoking management programmes.
volunteer, please contact the centre
on 1800 77 88 88 for an application
form. Our next training will
commence October 2007.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre offers
a range of services:
• 24-hour telephone helpline
available 365 days of the year to
support victims and others
affected by sexual violence.
• A crisis counselling service for
recent victims of rape and sexual
assault
• Long-term therapy for adult
victims of child sexual abuse and
sexual violence
• Medical accompaniment for
victims of sexual violence
attending for forensic testing at
the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit
in the Rotunda Hospital
• Court accompaniment to court
hearings
• Educational programmes on other
aspects of sexual violence.
• Research and statistics
• Campaigning for a more victim
supportive legal system and more
awareness in society about
preventing and combating sexual
violence
The objective of the Dublin Rape
Crisis Centre is to heal the trauma
of rape and sexual abuse.
In the last 26 years the number of
people contacting the crisis line for
help has increased from 76 in 1979
to 12,244 in 2006. In the year 2006,
of those seeking help 84% were
female and 16% were male. The total
number of calls in 2006, including
education and training, was 37, 266.
The crisis line is the first point of
contact for those seeking
counselling and the Centre saw 617
clients in the year 2006.
Its that time of year again! Flu vaccine will be available
TO ALL STAFF FREE OF CHARGE from early October.
Look out for details closer to the time.
Smoking Management Service
Would you like help in managing your smoking,
reducing the amount you smoke during the day.
Call Smoking Management Team at Ext. 4956, Bleep
508 or email preventive.med@st-vincents.ie
Would you like to STOP SMOKING – contact the
smoking management service. Six week stop smoking
course commencing on the 4th September 2007 (free
to staff).
Nicotine replacement Therapy - free to staff.
“RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY …”
TRAVELLER: “What kind of weather are we
going to have today?”
SHEPHERD: “The kind of weather I like.”
TRAVELLER: “How do you know it will be the
kind of weather you like?”
SHEPHERD: “Well, sir, having found out that
I cannot always get what I like, I have learned
always to like what I get. So I am quite sure
we will have the kind of weather I like.”
Happiness and unhappiness are in the
way we meet events, not in the nature
of those events themselves.
HEALTHWISE 2007 – DEADLINES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS:
Contributions for next issue of Healthwise should be sent to Denise Comerford, Health Promotion
Coordinator @ health.promo@st-vincents.ie, deadline for next issue is 12th October 2007
INFORMATION AND HEALTH NEWS FOR SAINT VINCENT’S HEALTHCARE GROUP
Issue 50 / August 2007
WANT TO SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE?
BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED.
It’s very difficult when friends and family fall ill; we often
feel frustrated and wish there was something we could do
to help.Well, there is something you can do and that is to
give blood. One blood donation can help the recovery of
up to three patients in hospital.There is a constant need
for more blood donors; in fact, 3,000 donations are
needed weekly to meet the demands of hospitals in the
Republic of Ireland alone.This is an enormous target that
the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) must reach
every single week.
Our annual blood donation awareness week,or
Blood for Life Week, is 17th September through 23rd
September 2007.We will be highlighting the importance
of blood donation, in order to attract new donors and
encourage those that already give blood to continue to
do so every time they are eligible.
Many people think of giving blood only when it is in the
media, either during an IBTS awareness campaign or
possibly during a major disaster. However, it is important
to note that blood donation is a constant need, that the
IBTS must collect 3,000 units of blood every single week.
So if you do become a blood donor, please make every
effort to give blood each time you are eligible and not
just when blood donation is highlighted in the media.
Facts about Blood Donation:
• One in four of us will receive a blood transfusion
at some stage in our lives.
• There is no substitute for human blood.
• A unit of blood is stored at 4 degrees, for a
maximum of 35 days.
• One donation can help save the lives of up to
three people.
• You can give blood every 90 days.
So, who can give blood?
If you are between 18 and 60 years of age and weigh over
7 stone 12 pounds, you might be suitable to become a
blood donor. However, the IBTS has many further
restrictions in place to ensure that the blood collected is
the safest possible.Approximately 20% of those who
attend our blood donation clinics are turned away due to
restrictions.You might be turned away from giving blood
for a variety of reasons, such as travel to certain tropical
or malarial regions, if you’ve had the flu recently, if you
have a cold, if you’re on certain medications, etc. Most
restrictions just require the donor to allow a period of
time to pass before returning. So if you are turned away,
please return as soon as you are eligible again; it is not
that your blood isn’t needed, the restrictions simply must
be in place to maintain the safety of the blood supply. If
you would like more information on whether or not you
would be eligible to give blood or details on a clinic close
to you and it’s opening times please call 1850 731137,
visit www.ibts.ie or view Aertel page 691.
Where can you give blood?
The IBTS has two fixed blood donation clinics in Dublin,
one on D’Olier St in the city centre and one in Stillorgan,
on the Old Dublin Road.There is also one fixed clinic in
Cork, at St. Finbarr’s Hospital. In addition, there are
mobile teams operating out of six centres across Ireland.
These mobile teams visit over 260 locations nationwide.
What’s involved in giving blood?
It’s important to eat something and drink plenty of cold
fluids before giving blood. Upon entering a blood
donation clinic, you will be asked to register your details
and fill out a health and lifestyle questionnaire.This
questionnaire will then be reviewed with you by a doctor
or nurse. Next, your haemoglobin (iron) level will be
checked to make sure you are not anaemic. If this is okay,
you can go ahead with the donation, which takes about 7
to 10 minutes. One unit of blood is approximately
470mls, or just under a pint.The average healthy adult has
eight to twelve pints of blood, so it is completely safe for
you to give one pint every 90 days.Your body will replace
the blood volume donated within 48 hours and the red
cells within 4 to 8 weeks.After donating, you will be
shown to the canteen to enjoy some refreshments.You
should feel fine to return to your normal daily activities;
we just ask that you don’t take exercise for 5 to 6 hours
after giving blood.
Is it safe?
There is no chance of contracting any disease by giving
blood.A new sterile blood pack is used for every donor
and it is never reused.
What happens to the blood?
All donated blood is tested to identify your blood group
and is screened for a variety of diseases.The blood can
then be transfused directly to one patient or else separated
into different components to help several patients.
The IBTS is always looking for more blood donors. So, if
you want to help save someone’s life, please give blood
regularly.
Francie Kay
Marketing Officer
Irish Blood Transfusion Board
Pictured on Bray seafront were the children of Naionra Ui
Cheadaigh who went for a sponsored walk to raise funds
for the National Liver Transplant Unit in St.Vincent’s
University Hospital (SVUH).
Picture appeared in the Wicklow Times and taken by Roger
Kenny.

HEALTHY EATING/ACTIVE LIVING IN SVUH (H.E.A.L)
HOSPITAL CHALLENGE DAY
Launch of Slí na Sláinte for SVUH
The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) Slí na Sláinte was
launched by Mr. Eamon Coghlan, FOUR time Olympian
runner on Hospital Challenge Day, 17th May 2007.The Slí
is a circuit 1.2km circumference walk around the hospital.
Mr. Gary O’Toole, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Chairman
of the Health Promotion Committee (SVUH) acted as
Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Mr. Michael O’Shea, Director of the Irish Heart
Foundation (IHF) gave a short address, highlighting that
by making walking an available, attractive choice within
and around the hospital, the daily 30 minutes of physical
activity recommendation will be easier to achieve.
Mr. Cormac Maloney, Deputy CEO, SVUH, welcomed
the addition to the hospital and congratulated the
Department of Preventive Medicine & Health
Promotion on their ongoing commitment to making the
hospital a supportive environment for healthy living for
both staff and patients.
In the week leading up to the event, departments in the
hospital were asked to nominate a representative to
co-ordinate the event at department level.Twenty three
representatives participated.The role of the
representative was to promote Hospital Challenge Day
in their department and to get as many staff as possible
to sign a pledge to take 15 minutes physical activity on
the day. Each representative was entered into a draw.
Mr. Paul Gough, Dietitian, and member of the Health
Promotion Committee was the winner of a €50
voucher for “Lifestyle Sports”.
In total 736 people signed up to do 15 minutes physical
activity on the day. Each person who signed up was
entered into a draw. Ms. Helen Costigan, Intensive Care
Unit, was the winner of a €50 voucher for “Lifestyle
Sports”.
The DART Challenge
The Slí na Sláinte is complimented by “Time to Walk”
signs e.g. how long it takes to walk to “Sydney Parade”
DART station from SVUH.The Irish Heart Foundation
gave a conservative time of 9 minutes.
We wanted to see how long it actually took SVUH staff
to walk this route. Between 7:00am and 9:00am on
Thursday 17th May, a team from the Department of
Preventive Medicine & Health Promotion were at the
DART station to give questionnaires to hospital staff
who took the DART to work.
How long did it take our staff?
Allowing for traffic light delays, the average length of
time taken to walk from the “Sydney Parade” DART
station to SVUH was 5 minutes.Times ranged between
3 minutes and 10 minutes.
JUST 15 MINUTES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
YOUR WAY EVERYDAY!
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE DAY?
All those who returned forms were entered into a
draw for a €50 “Lifestyle Sports” voucher. The winner
was Ms. Rosaleen McGuire Roche, Psychiatry
Department.
Guided Slí na Sláinte walks
Two lunchtime walks were arranged. Over 50 staff
members participated.This proved to be a great way of
meeting and chatting with people from other
departments. Sheridan’s Juice Bar kindly gave vouchers
for free smoothies or juices for distribution to those
who took part in the Slí walks.
Sheridan’s Juice Bar also had an opening offer in
conjunction with Hospital Challenge Day.They gave a 50%
price reduction on all smoothies and juices on the day.
Healthy Eating
SVUH are applying for the healthy eating award
from the Irish Heart Foundation – One of the
requirements is that the hospital should offer
a ‘No Chip Day’ each week.Thursday is now
a ‘No Chip Day’ in the hospital. Hospital
Challenge Day was chosen as the launch
day. Change can be difficult for people but
staff are enjoying the many other choices on
offer in the staff restaurant.
The hospital Slí na Sláinte is there for
hospital staff and visitors to enjoy anytime.
A guided Slí na Slainte walk will take place on Thursday
27th September. Meet at main hospital entrance at 1pm
or 1.30pm to join others for a 15 minute walk.
A collage outlining events of Hospital Challenge Day
2007 created by Professor Cecily Kelleher, Department
Head, Department Preventive Medicine/Health
Promotion will be displayed in the new Ambulatory Day
Care Centre building.
OBESITY
– the size of the problem
Diabetes affects 300,000 people in Ireland, with
100,000 of these currently undiagnosed.The vast
majority of these patients have type 2 diabetes,
and the numbers are predicted to double over the
next 10 years due largely to the rising rates of
obesity – the ‘diabesity epidemic’. In Ireland at the
present time 39% of adults are overweight and
18% are obese. Excess body weight is now the
most prevalent childhood disease in Europe,
affecting one in six children. It is estimated that
there are more than 300,000 overweight and
obese children on the island of Ireland and that
this figure is rising yearly by 10,000.
Obesity is responsible for up to 80% of type 2
diabetes and is associated with the development
of other medical conditions, such as non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular
disease. However, 20% of severely obese people
have no evidence of abnormal glucose handling or
NAFLD. Little is known about the factors that
protect this group from the harmful metabolic
consequences of obesity.
Our research group aims to study fat tissue, liver
biopsy samples, and immune blood cells from
obese patients with and without diabetes, with a
view to identifying some of the differences
between them.
We believe that fat cell size may be a key
determinant of whether an obese individual
develops type 2 diabetes and the other metabolic
complications of obesity. Large fat cells may be
dysfunctional and have an altered capacity to
accommodate excess energy-intake.This could
lead to an overflow of fat into other tissues, such
as muscle and liver, eventually resulting in diabetes
or NAFLD. In addition, obesity is associated with
chronic low grade inflammation, which is also
thought to contribute to diabetes and other
obesity related co-morbidities.We are therefore
also looking at the immune cells, both in the
circulation and in the fat tissue to identify any
differences between ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ obese
patients.
The tissue samples are obtained from some of the
patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery in St
Columcille’s Hospital.This surgery is the only
effective treatment for severe obesity, reducing
mortality by up to 90%.The weight loss that
follows surgery leads to an improvement in, or
complete resolution of type 2 diabetes in 80% of
patients.
Having access to data and tissue from this patient
group provides a unique opportunity to study the
pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes, obesity and
NAFLD in Ireland.
Dr. Jean O’Connell,
Clinical Scientist
Obesity Research Group
Education & Research Centre
GUIDE TO PACKING
A HEALTHY LUNCH
Introduction
A packed lunch does not have to be a boring. With a
little imagination and creativity they can be interesting,
healthy and tasty too and something that can wet the
appetite every lunchtime. Just try and include
something from each of the four main food groups as
well as a drink and you are ready to go.
The Basics – breads, cereals, pasta or potatoes
Use different types of bread eg. Rolls, slices, baguettes,
bagels (the list is endless)
Use a variety of breads too – wholemeal, granary,
brown, high fibre white
Or try basing your lunch on rice, pasta or potatoes
instead eg. Pasta salad
Add a Tasty Filling
Try to include lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, beans
or pulses in your lunches as a protein source. Eg.
Egg mayonnaise, peppers and cucumber
Tuna and tomato
Chicken Tikka and salad
Ham cheese and tomato
Handful of plain peanuts or sunflower seeds
Use a low fat spread or salsa as an alternative
Fruits and Vegetables
It is important to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables
every day. Try and include some of the following:
Fresh fruit – apple, banana, orange, kiwi,
nectarine, 6-8 strawberries etc
Chopped raw vegetables – carrot sticks,
cherry tomatoes, salad
Tinned fruit in fruit juice
Include some Dairy
Try to include some dairy products to help
maintain healthy teeth and bones
Carton of semi-skimmed milk
Low fat yoghurt
Rice pudding
Low fat cheese eg babybel x 2
The Treat
There is nothing wrong with including a treat. Just try
and make a healthier choice when doing so
Low fat crisps or pretzels
Salted popcorn
Cereal bar
Fun sized bar of chocolate
Include a Drink
To help stay well hydrated choose from:
Water, milk or milkshake, pure fruit juice, low sugar
squash or diet drinks
Remember to keep your lunch cool to keep it fresh.
Enjoy!
Thanks to Paul Gough, Dietitian, for this article.