caring Communication

Patients have
shared that the
activities or services they
take part in help in their
recovery and in getting
their confidence back, they
improve physically from
their treatment but then
their spirit comes back
and they become part of
something that they would
never have thought of before
their cancer diagnosis.
tious and balanced meals for patients even
outside of mealtimes.
Patricia O’Gorman, Assistant Director of
Nursing, Ennis Hospital added “We are so
proud of Mick in Ennis Hospital, we always
knew we had a hero in our midst! As a
small hospital, Mick knows
a lot of patients and their
families and does his best to
ensure their stay in hospital
is a pleasant one.
Each Christmas day after
he has cooked dinner for
patients and staff, Mick visits
each patient and family, he
takes time to chat with them
and ensures that they enjoyed
their meal and that they had
enough to eat. This is very important
to patients particularly
those who have no visitors and
the time that Mick spends with the
patients is treasured by each patient.
Mick also visits the bereaved families
in Ennis and ensures they are catered for
while they are in the hospital. He gives
patients, families and staff a wonderful
service and his love of his work is what
makes him shine.”
Taking home the prize for Outstanding
Quality Improvement was the Inpatient
Waiting List Team, Perioperative Directorate,
UL Hospitals Group. Staff members
from Nenagh Hospital worked on the team
to develop and deliver a Waiting List Policy
for all hospitals in the UL Hospital Group
including Nenagh.
John Doyle, Perioperative General Manager
said, “UL Hospitals Group is recognised
as the best performing hospital group in
the country for the management of inpatient
and day case waiting lists. This year
back, they improve physically from their
treatment but then their spirit comes back
and they become part of something that
they would never have thought of before
their cancer diagnosis. I love opening the
door in the morning and welcoming people
in.” The Cancer Information and Support
Centre, based in University Hospital Limerick
is open to anyone from the Mid-West
region that has, or has had cancer and their
family regardless of where they had their
treatment. The Cancer Centre, located
in the grounds of the University Hospital
Limerick offers patients and their families’
practical information and emotional support
in a friendly environment.
Maria has been running the centre for two
years and has transformed it into a hive of
activity and also a spiritual and therapeutic
haven for patients and their families. Maria
has been responsible for the introduction
of a whole range of new activities into the
centre including, ‘Something to Sing About
Choir’, Strides for Life Walking Group, Craft
afternoons and complimentary therapies
delivered by volunteers.
Professor Rajnish Gupta, Consultant
Medical Oncologist commented, “Maria
has made such a difference in running the
Cancer Information Centre, she is brilliant,
and there is no other way to say it. She has
an innate understanding and ability to look
after people. Maria, along with the volunteers
and therapists support patients in a
holistic way; supporting the whole person
through their treatment, which is just as
important as treating the disease.
“How do you quantify what Maria does?
You can’t put data against it and measure
it but she contributes as much if not more
than what happens in the clinical treatment
that patients receive.
“Without the Cancer Information Centre,
with Maria and our team of volunteers and
supporters we would not be looking after
people they way they deserve to be looked
after.”
Mick Conlon, Catering Department, Ennis
Hospital who is from Ennistymon, was
delighted to walk away with the Unsung
Hero’s Award. “I am over the moon! After
40 years of service, this award gives me
a wonderful appreciation and recognition
for my work, which is shared with my new
catering officer, trainee chef and catering
staff.”
Mick works in the Catering Department,
Ennis Hospital preparing meals for both
patients and staff. Mick is a stand out
member of the team and provides a great
service to Ennis Hospital and is recognised
by his colleagues as an amazing person to
work with. Mick ensures that patients are
well fuelled for recovery, providing nutriwe
achieved all our waiting list targets and
were the first Hospital Group in the country
to achieve the 18 month target set for
June 2015 and the 15-month target set for
December set by the Minister for Health.
This is particularly true in Nenagh Hospital,
which has significantly reduced waiting
lists and waiting times while performing
more day surgery and in more specialties
than ever before.
“The benefits of developing a hospital
group are particularly relevant in relation
to waiting lists, where consultants are able
to see patients at a number of different
hospitals and are able to deliver care locally,
close to the patients’ homes.”
Cathrina Ryan, Director of Nursing,
Nenagh Hospital added, “We are thrilled to
be part of the wining team and receive the
award for Outstanding Quality Improvement.
The local team in Nenagh, work with
colleagues in hospitals across the Group.
By working together it allows waiting lists
to be pooled across specialities so that the
next available consultant can see a patient,
thus reducing waiting times for all patients.
There has also been significant capital
investment in a
new surgical day
unit in Nenagh
Hospital and
we continue to
recruit specialists,
anaesthetists
and theatre
nurses to
increase surgical
activity.”
MAIN: UL Hospitals Group CEO Colette Cowan
presenting the award for Outstanding Quality
Improvement to the Waiting List Committee from
Nenagh Hospital, Ennis Hospital, University Hospital
Limerick, Croom Hospital and St John’s Hospital at
the Staff Recognition Awards. TOP: Colette Cowan,
CEO UL Hospitals, with Mick Conlon, Catering
Department, Ennis Hospital celebrating winning
the Unsung Hero Award ABOVE: CEO UL Hospitals
Group Colette Cowan presenting the award for
Exceptional Patient Experience to Maria Keane,
Cancer Information Centre University Hospital
Limerick Photo: Brian Gavin
spring 2016 | health matters | 21