Dementia garDen in full bloom - HSE
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Hea th staff magazine of the IRISH HEALTH SERVICE vol. 14 | issue 18 | summer 2019 Eamonn hit for six on Dementia marathon garden in trail Galway paramedic full bloom completes unique Reminiscence the theme of feat in Tokyo People’s Choice Award winner features general news you section lifestyle
Welcome to the latest edition of Health Matters This edition we sat down with the new HSE Director General Paul Reid, who took up his role last month. He shared with us his vision for the future of Irish health service, and stressed that we must use Sláintecare as the roadmap to ‘move forward in a unified strategic direction’. He highlighted the vital role technology will play in the reform of our health service and said patient care will suffer if we do not invest heavily in it. He also praised the ‘can-do’ attitude from HSE staff that he has already met with up and down the country. Killinthomas Lodge in Kildare opened in October 2016 to support four ladies who have an intellectual disability and are living with dementia. The focus in Killinthomas is to support the individuals to live in their community throughout their dementia journey through to the end of their life. All four moved from congregated settings to their beautiful new home. We speak to Martina Leigh, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Ageing Care for People with an Intellectual Disability at the Muiriosa Foundation, who leads the interdisciplinary dementia team that set up the house to be environmentally Contents supportive to living well with dementia. Pat O’Connor talked to us about her sister Sheila, who is one of the residents living in the You Section Features house, and the differences the move has brought 6 In Bloom 28 NIMIS milestone to both their lives. Reminiscing in the dementia garden Two million requests handled Our cover story features paramedic Eamonn 8 Paul Reid 30 Mobile computing Baxter who has the unique honour of completing New director general looks forward Enhancing patient care all six of the marathon ‘majors’, earning himself 10 Supporting women 31 Voices connect for mental health a very rare medal. Eamonn immediately passed Day of the midwife Mullingar choir this medal on to young Jonah Murphy, who 11 Steps to health 32 Positive patient experience Eamonn helped save from cardiac arrest when Staff challenge Ennis is the winner he was just seven weeks of age. 12 Pride of the Coombe 34 Dental records project If there’s anything you would like to see Bernie is master Live in 221 locations included in the magazine or if you have any 13 Skin cancer nurse 36 Data dictionary other feedback, you can contact us at Roscommon appointment One source of truth healthmatters@hse.ie 14 Six majors winner 37 Tackling obesity Thank you to all those who have sent in Eamonn hands over his medal Unique community nursing initiative contributions to this edition and I hope you find 16 Kidney transplant 38 Individual Health Identifier plenty of interesting reading in it. Paramedic shares his story Huge benefits Joanne 18 Life on the list Gordon speaks out 38 Find the missing millions Hepatitis C in Ireland Weston Joanne Weston, 19 Life-saving holiday Mark a hero 40 Transform your body and mind Cutting back on alcohol 20 Values in Action 41 Maximising green space Editor Bumper bootcamp Lourdes hospital project 22 MARIO a unique guest 42 Survey findings This magazine is produced by the Assistive dementia robot Hospital-acquired infections HSE Communications Division 24 Supporting individuals 43 Brush my teeth Enriching lives in their home Website for people with disabilities Publishers: Celtic Media Group 26 Virtual lung clinic 44 Asthma and COPD www.celticmediagroup.ie Keeping patients out of hospital Free adviceline Feedback: Send your feedback to 27 Under the weather 45 Communicating clearly healthmatters@hse.ie It can happen in summer too A patient’s view
74 16 HEALTH MATTERS SUMMER 2019 46 22 14 46 See the care, be the care 26 Person-centred approach 48 High-tech hub Patients the priority 49 Triple P Making happier parents and children 50 Alcohol liaison nurse Tackling the problem 2019 summer health matters
Contents News 51 Ark ambassadors Big welcome for rugby stars 52 Leadership skills UL Hospitals programme 52 Life-saving work Control Room awards 53 Primary care centre huge boost for Cork northside 54 Smoke-free Athletics Ireland initiative 55 End-of-life care 24 Flagship project 56 Pigmented lesion clinic Official opening in Kerry 55 56 Martin honoured NAS head gets alumni award 57 Transition Year students Finding our Future 57 Volunteer anniversary Extended role in UHG 58 Training event 65 Gynaecology initiative Reducing neonatal brain injuries Cutting wait lists 59 Physio-led pessary service 66 Study days Unique in HSE Colorectal department in UHW 60 Key priorities identified 66 Hurling tops hit list All-staff day at Office of CIO Sports-related injuries 61 Protect again measles 67 Quality and Safety in Before you travel healthcare 62 Collaborate and innovate International forum HBS conference 68 HBS Estates toolkit 63 Assisted Decision-making Capital projects delivery 78 An update 64 Staff records NISRP goes live in East 65 Tallaght Hospital 69 Snuggle stories Success in Waterford 70 Prostate cancer Information sessions for patients Digital music project 16 health matters summer 2019
HEALTH MATTERS SUMMER 2019 online Sites we like www.hse.ie/hepc www.brushmyteeth.ie Lifestyle 70 Snack swap Make the healthy choice 72 Hospital food New policy launched 74 Healthy Ireland launch 60pc of adults overweight 76 Boccia win Ballytivnan show resilience 76 Donegal artwork www.gov.ie/HealthyIreland Artist thanks hospital staff 77 Food waste prevention Save money too 78 Multicultural Celebration Limerick full of colour www.smartstorecooking.com 51 2019 summer health matters
You Section Sti m ul ating the senses in the ga rd en Reminiscence, nature and e quality of life for people ighlighting the importance and H value of what is remembered and not what is forgotten was the aim of the dementia-friendly garden at this year’s Bloom Festival. For Dr Suzanne Timmons, Clinical Lead for Dementia at the HSE’s National Dementia Office, the Dementia: Understand Together campaign’s ‘Memories are Made of This’ 1950s- themed show garden was about facilitating the therapeutic benefits of reminiscence. She explained how gardening can play such a vital role in helping people with dementia. “For many people with dementia, recalling memories from years gone by is often easier than remembering more recent events. We also know that reminiscing has a positive effect on the quality of life of people with dementia. By stimulating the senses, whether it’s seeing a High Nelly bike, or smelling a rose, or touching a daisy, or listening to a GAA match on the radio, the aim is to whisk the person back to days of joy and contentment,” said Suzanne. “The Dementia: Understand Together campaign has been part of the Bloom festival by Bord Bia for three years and this year our garden aims to build on the gardens that have gone before. Previously, we have emphasised the health and social benefits of getting out and aspect of the garden and will roll their sleeves is tolerated as everyone is very fond of them and about in the garden, and the focus this year is on up and get stuck in whereas other residents would hate to see them leave. stimulating reminiscence.” enjoy the relaxation aspect of the garden when “Residents have also enjoyed indoor planting The garden, named after the song made sitting out in it, often with their families. The of window boxes and pots. The residents have famous by 1950s crooner Dean Martin and maintenance work is mostly carried out in the commented on the enjoyment and waited the creation of award-winning designer Robert courtyard garden which has raised flower beds anticipation of watching the plant break through Moore, took people back in time to when for ease of access. The flowers in the garden the soil from seed and this has also required an gardens not only provided food for the soul, but were chosen for their sensory stimulation, establishment of a routine to water and monitor food for the table too. It featured a manicured some for sound, some for smell and others for the plant each day.” formal space with box hedges and tea roses touch,” said Sharon. Sharon explained the value of helping people emblematic of the era, as well as a practical fruit “There is also a kitchen garden section in the with dementia to keep up their hobbies and and vegetable patch that provided much of what courtyard garden where edible plants are grown interests, including gardening. was on the menu in people’s homes at the time. and this always promotes reminiscence about “When we discuss hobbies and interests with Many of the treasures from the 50s featured vegetables that in the past would have be grown people we are talking about activities that people in the garden were inspired by the reflections of in every home. The larger garden also has life- have chosen to make time for in their life. This members of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s size models of a cow and calves and a pig in it is because it provides a meaningful, usually Bloomfield Social Club in Dublin who engaged which again become a focal point for discussion enjoyable experience that the person can fully with the team in a series of workshops to inform and reminiscence as most of our residents would engage in. People have said to me that when the design and content elements of the garden. have kept animals. The animals also give a sense they are engaged in their hobbies time tends Sharon Richardson, Senior Occupational of familiarity to the garden which is enjoyed by to ‘run away on them’. This is very different to Therapist, sees the value in the dementia- the residents and their visitors alike and always the experience we have for carrying out tasks friendly garden in St Patrick’s Hospital, generates conversation. There are also two that we know need to be done. This is why it Carrick-on-Shannon. She said being out in the rabbits that have made this garden their home is essential for us to know what a meaningful garden and in nature can give people differing and are always being spotted by our residents activity is for the person living with dementia experiences, highlighting the value of the garden which always creates great interest. This is so that they can be supported to continue to environment in the dementia unit. posing a bit of a problem for the growth of plants engage in this,” she said. “Some residents enjoy the maintenance as all the plants are being eaten by them but this “When supporting a person living with health matters summer 2019
Top Tips to Stimulate exercise improves Reminiscence in Your Garden with dementia • Find the Scent of a Rose. There is nothing like the scent and elegance of an old tea rose to transport you back in time. Why not consider planting one in your garden later this autumn? • Hit the right note. Why not incorporate fea- tures such as wind-chimes to gently usher you to a world of peace and tranquillity? Or perhaps put in a gramophone in your back shed and throw a few shapes with Elvis Presley on the deck? • Be cool as a cucumber. Remember when you’d pop out to the back garden for a head of lettuce, a handful of onions or some rhubarb? Why not install an easy-to-manage vegetable patch? You can start with a small raised bed in your sunniest spot. • Seek the object of the exercise. Do pink flamingos take you back to a bygone world? Why not resurrect your mischievous gnomes and place them around the garden? They are sure to give you a warm feeling and become a real talking point for visitors. • Have the Midas touch. Remember the feeling of those daisies and how you plucked each petal as a child – ‘she loves me, she loves me not’? Other flowers and plants that are sure to conjure up golden memories include lupins, delphiniums, primulas and, garden favourite, geraniums. dementia, it is very important to know what –September in 2018 with plans to roll out interests the person has at that time and similar walks later this year as the feedback whether enthusiasm towards a certain hobby was so positive. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown has remained or indeed new interests have Sports Partnership provided a walking leader been developed. The important factor is that who led the group in a warm up before the the hobby/ interest remains enjoyable and walk, pointed out nature along the way, achievable for the person so that they can encouraged the group to stretch at various continue to fully engage in it. This may mean intervals throughout and finished the walk with looking at parts of the activity that the person a cool down. Michelle took photos of nature can engage in rather than the completion of the and shared them with the group afterwards. whole activity. It does not then become the focus These photos were enjoyed by others who to complete the activity but to enjoy the taking could not attend the walks but were interested part in that piece of the activity.” in staying connected. Clockwise from left: Dr Ciara Kelly, Understanding the value of exercise, Dr “The walks were very sociable with everyone broadcaster, and Dementia: Understand Together Michelle Hardie Murphy, HSE Health Promotion mingling, chatting and sharing stories in a campaign ambassador, whose mother was and Improvement Officer collaborated with the casual normal way. It was simply a group of diagnosed with dementia, before passing away in Living Well with Dementia (LWwD) Project HSE people out walking, enjoying nature and each 2017, Ciara’s son Blaise, aged nine, his best friend Lily Bateman-Cullen, also aged nine, with Adrian Community Healthcare East, and Dún Laoghaire other’s company,” said Michelle. Cullen, Dean Martin tribute artist; the ‘Memories Rathdown Sports Partnership to organise are Made of This’ garden at Bloom, winner of the dementia-friendly walks. On an ongoing basis, People’s Choice Award; and (l-r) Emer Begley, Senior MORE INFORMATION Project Manager, National Dementia Office, HSE; LWwD run a weekly activities programme to Dr Suzanne Timmons, Clinical Lead, HSE National encourage people with a diagnosis of dementia For more information on the Dementia: Dementia Office; Dr Ciara Kelly; Dr Stephanie to keep up their interests and prevent social Understand Together campaign, including O’Keeffe, National Director, Strategic Planning & isolation. Families had shared an interest in a service-finder detailing county-by-county Transformation, HSE; Robert Moore, award-winning dementia supports and services available, garden designer; Marie Killeen, General Manager, joining a walking group. visit www.understandtogether.ie or Office of the National Director, Strategic Planning The walks, advertised as “Walk and Talk”, Freephone 1800 341 341. and Transformation, HSE; Dr Emer Coveney, took place in Cabinteely Park from August National Programme Manager, Age Friendly Ireland. 2019 summer health matters
You Section New Di rector Gene ra l ‘We must focus on long-term plan to move us forward’ aul Reid took up his new role What is your vision for the P of HSE Director General on May health service? 14th and is looking forward to The organisation has had a lot of ups and working with all staff to improve downs over the last decade, and we are facing our heath service under the numerous challenges. My vision for our health Sláintecare Action Plan 2019. service is to focus on longer-term planning and He has extensive experience working in the use Sláintecare as our roadmap to move forward public service. Before taking on this role, Paul in a unified strategic direction. was Chief Executive of Fingal County Council for over five years. He joined the Department My top three priorities to achieve this vision are: of Public Expenditure and Reform as the 1. Delivering quality patient care Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he led the Patients are at the centre of all that we do development, implementation and oversight of and I want to support staff in ensuring that the the Government’s reform programme across experience of the patient and the people who use the civil and public service. our services are paramount to everything we do. Although Paul’s background is in General We must focus on those core projects that Management, during his time in Fingal County support us in delivering this aim, projects that Council he worked closely with Community are delivering the highest quality patient care. Health Organisations and Primary Care Centres We need to continue to seek feedback from our on community initiatives and planning projects. patients and take action in the areas where we In 2017, Paul was asked by former Minister can improve. We can only provide of State for Mental Health and Older People, 2. Transitioning to a new model of integrated the highest quality Helen McEntee to be Vice Chair of the National care Task Force on Youth Mental Health. Paul is Our health service could not function without care by working together currently a member of the Advisory Council on our dedicated and professional staff who provide across all areas from acute Sláintecare, working closely with Laura Magahy care to patients and service users. We can only on the implementation plan. Paul is delighted to provide the highest quality care by working to primary care to our be taking over the helm of the HSE. together across all areas from acute to primary support services “I am a passionate public servant and am care to our support services. delighted to now be working in a health service We must strive to ensure that the valued work with such a diverse group of staff, professionals our staff do is cherished, and we should proudly As DG, what do you want for and managers. I am very much looking forward tell everyone about it. our HSE staff? to working with you all to build on the great We must tell our stakeholders and the public I have read carefully the results of the HSE work already happening to deliver a good about all of the good work we do. We need to staff surveys and only 51pc of staff who quality service to our patients and service take every opportunity to show the positives of completed the Your Opinion Counts Survey users.” our health service. In doing this we can work to 2018 are optimistic about their future within Health Matters sat down with Paul to get to improve and change the issues that need our the organisation. Only 37pc feel there are know more about him and talk about his future attention. Through this process we will build opportunities for career progression. And whilst hopes and vision for the HSE. public and stakeholder confidence in the HSE’s both metrics have improved since 2016 I want ability to manage the health service well. them to improve further. It’s not acceptable to What is the most important 3. Building confidence to invest in our future me that staff feel this level of pessimism about objective for you coming into We have an immediate priority to stabilise our their future in our health service. We need to do your new role? finances and focus on eliminating wasteful costs. better at looking after our staff. That patients and service users experience This will involve: I want to ensure that we strongly value quality care when they interact with our health • strengthening our financial controls right and cherish the huge commitment of our service. This has to be central to all that we do; across the organisation, staff to deliver a good quality health service. otherwise we’re failing people at a very basic • agreeing our priorities, and And we must broadcast this message to the level. Throughout my career, providing a quality • demonstrating good value for money. stakeholders and public that we serve. service to the public has always been my focus If we value the role that everyone who works and that won’t change. By prioritising initiatives By stabilising our finances we will build the in the HSE plays, we will remain focused on our that improve patient care and safety, values our confidence of our key stakeholders and make objectives and ensure that we build the trust and staff, and gets value for money, we will have a a stronger case for further investment in the confidence of our key stakeholders including the health service we can be proud of. Sláintecare reform plan. public, government and staff. health matters summer 2019
Clockwise from main pic: Paul Reid chats with Roisin Guiry, HSE Communications Division, in the the Dementia: Understand Together campaign’s ‘Memories are Made of This’ 1950s-themed show garden at Bloom; the new Director General on his visit to St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny to review patient feedback and experiences from the National Patient Experience Survey with HIQA CEO Phelim Quinn. What are the biggest foundation of integrated care. It will drive I’m in work mode I give it all of my attention challenges we face as an efficiencies across the system that will and when I’m at home I do the same. I‘m organisation? improve our patient experience. Our Ehealth married and have two grown up children I believe the biggest challenge we face is strategy and Digital Roadmap are key to the so I understand the challenge for parents the shortage of suitably qualified health implementation of our future requirements trying to give enough attention to both work care workers, and this is a global issue. The in this area. and family life. Unfortunately we tend to World Health Organisation estimates that sacrifice family time for work but finding a the global shortage will reach 18 million by What one thing has balance between both is hugely important. 2030. This is staggering. impressed you the most We need to invest in our workforce to about the HSE since taking up Can you tell us something safeguard our future. We can begin this by your role? about yourself? what are retaining our current workforce, keeping our What has impressed me the most is our your interests, hobbies healthcare graduates here, and attracting staff’s commitment to deliver quality health outside of work? our graduates abroad back to work in the services. Since taking on this role I have Well from Monday to Friday I stay in Dublin Irish health service. We can only achieve visited services across the country and it’s so and then as soon as the weekend hits I head this by making the HSE a great employer. evident to me the level of dedication and ‘can to Leitrim. So that transition is a big part of An employer that values and cares for staff, do’ attitude staff have. I had some exposure switching from work to family mode for me. will have engaged staff. Engaged staff feel to this being a member of the Advisory I love golf, although my handicap may not a profound connection to their work and Council for Sláintecare but I didn’t grasp the demonstrate this! organisation; they drive innovation and will full extent of the professionalism and range move the organisation forward. We can’t of skills we have on the ground. Any final thoughts ignore staff retention issues, staff are vital to Other than to say I am really looking forward the future reform of our health service. Work/life balance is to getting out and about. I will be visiting important for our health services across the country and meeting as What role do you see and well-being – how do you many staff as I possibly can over the coming technology playing in the manage stress and balance weeks, and I welcome any input from staff reform our health service? work and family priorities? on how we can do better and keep improving. Technology is vital to the reform of our I am a big supporter of work/life balance, I will keep staff updated on our progress health service. Investing in it is crucial it’s so important in this age of Smart regularly through the monthly DG message otherwise we will be running to stand still technology and the 24hr news cycle. I and other channels. and the quality of patient care will suffer. manage stress by keeping everything And finally, I can promise that I will work Projects like the Electronic Health Record in perspective as much as I can, and by hard on behalf of staff to reform our health (EHR) will allow us to increase capacity making a conscious effort to give my best service and make it something that we all in an already creaking system. EHR is the to whatever role I’m in at the time. So when can truly be proud of. 2019 summer health matters
You Section In terna tio na l Da y of the Mid wi fe ‘It’s all about supporting women and their choices’ idwives from all over the world M have celebrated International Day of the Midwife on May 5th since 1991. To celebrate the day, midwives from Cork University Hospital (CUMH), South Tipperary General Hospital (STGH), University Hospital Kerry (UHK) and University Hospital Waterford (UHW) have shared their experiences of the profession. The aim was to raise the profile of the Brid Galvin, UHW. Carmel Byrne, STGH. Chloe Ferriter, UHK. Margaret Higgins, CUMH. midwifery profession by featuring real midwives talking about the profession in a positive light. All four maternity units are part of the Maternity Directorate of the South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG). Margaret Lyster, Clinical Midwife Manager at UHW, said, “It’s the diversity of midwifery, in terms of the role and people you meet, that I love. As many of our couples are non-Irish nationals with a language barrier and no family here, it is very fulfilling to offer them the care and support they need in their journey of childbirth. “You are meeting women at a very vulnerable Margaret Lyster, UHW. Marie Walsh, STGH. Norma Kissane, UHK. Ruth Evans, CUMH. time and it’s all about supporting them and facilitating their choices where possible. It’s working as a midwife 30 years on. before, during and after delivery. It’s a privilege to rewarding to know you’ve done a great job “I love the variety and continuity of care. In be part of such a special event in a woman’s life. through the ongoing gratitude and recognition a relatively small maternity unit like South In Kerry these women are often our neighbours you receive.” Tipperary General Hospital, you get to work and friends, our future, we must support and Ruth Evans, Neonatal Manger, CUMH, has been with women across our antenatal, labour and empower them to have a positive, safe, high- working with premature babies for over 25 years. postnatal wards. Educating and advocating for quality experience in our unit in Tralee,” she said. “The best part of the job is saying goodbye to women is so important. Our antenatal classes can Brid Galvin, staff midwife, UHW, explained, “I a ‘preemie’ who has thrived under the care of be very empowering for first-time parents.” love the autonomy of the role and being able to our unit. Their time in intensive care is difficult Chloe Ferriter, newly qualified midwife at offer women your knowledge and support during and when they leave, there’s still another two or University Hospital Kerry, said, “Helping people a very vulnerable time. three months of work to get them independent, is important to me and one of the main reasons I “For me the best part is seeing new life come off oxygen and feeding properly. There’s a sense became a midwife. into the world – it’s such a privilege. While it can of pride when they leave and you know you’ve “It’s amazing being part of a real happiness be very challenging, it’s also very rewarding to done a good job.” that is unique to women. It’s rewarding to build see a women through pregnancy and birth and to Carmel Byrne, lactation consultant, South a special, trusting relationship with each woman have a safe, happy mother and baby at the end.” Tipperary General Hospital, said, “I have always while creating a warm and calm environment Margaret Higgins, Domino midwife, CUMH, been interested in promoting, protecting and for the baby to be delivered in. The best part is cares for low-risk women during pregnancy, birth supporting breastfeeding. I was inspired to empowering women, being their advocate to and the post-natal period ensuring continuity of specialise in breastfeeding after my time facilitate a safe birth and witnessing the change care and, above all, choice for each woman. working in Australia where breastfeeding rates from a woman or couple to a family unit. As a “Through education and support, we give are high at approximately 95pc. I have witnessed midwife, I feel very privileged to be a part of the women the skills and confidence to have a first-hand the many benefits of breastfeeding birthing experience for each woman I support.” natural birth and an early transfer home, where to families, society and the environment. Norma Kissane, Clinical Midwife Manager, at we continue our support. It’s hugely rewarding to If a woman chooses to breastfeed, I find it UHK, has worked as a midwife for over 28 years. facilitate and empower a woman’s choice. very fulfilling to help her achieve that goal. “I originally trained as a general nurse and “As you journey with them through pregnancy Breastfeeding is a learned skill, which some decided to further qualify as a midwife due to the and birth, you develop a special rapport with mothers and babies find challenging. However, passion I had for women’s healthcare. I wanted to each and every one. with appropriate assistance and support, most of make a difference with my skills and experience, “It’s wonderful to welcome many of them back these challenges can be overcome.” to keep our mothers safe and give babies the for their second and third babies through the Marie Walsh, Clinical Midwife Manager, South best start in life possible. For me, the best part is DOMINO scheme here at CUMH. It’s something Tipperary General Hospital, said she still loves the positive nature of the job, caring for women to be very proud of.” 10 health matters summer 2019
3,000 more pa rti cip an ts in 2019 Steps to Health challenge in full swing his year’s Steps to Health assessments to staff taking part in the co-ordinators containing your step counters, T challenge is in full swing at Challenge. Perhaps five weeks won’t make participant and co-ordinator guides, posters present. Now in its third year, a huge difference to your health facts and and badges. So a huge thanks is due to those we have 9,400 staff members figures but it will benefit you if you continue staff pictured here. taking part. That’s 3,000 more on after the five weeks, turning it into a And of course it wouldn’t happen without participants stepping out daily than we had full time habit alongside eating healthier. our team co-ordinators who register all of last year. Perhaps we could tempt the staff in you, and keep you inspired and motivated Apart from walking with colleagues and Monaghan to continue it until the year end throughout the challenge. So a big shout family and friends, staff have also been and check the results then? out to your team co-ordinator and you can organising many other activities during the Peter Dineen, our staff blogger, has nominate them for a prize at the end of this Challenge to build awareness and increase given us a smile or two as he takes to the year’s challenge. Watch our newsletter for physical activity as well as healthy eating. highways and byways in Cork striving to more details before the end of the Challenge. More importantly, staff are also telling us of avoid dogs and melting from his exertions! the fun they are having and the new friendships If you have missed it, check out our website that are being made at work. All of this is very www.hse.ie/stepschallenge important to create a happy and Behind the scenes every year, we have From left to right: Meagan Hanley, Healthy Eating Active Living Programme; Muiriosa Ryan, Social healthy working environment some very busy elves in our Steps Media & Digital Analytics Lead; Agatha Lawless, as well as looking after our project team who registered Project Manager, Healthy Eating & Active Living mental health. over 660 teams, organised the Programme; Edel McNamara, Senior Community Staff in the email broadcasts, newsletters, Dietitian; Clodagh Armitage, Physical Activity Co- Ordinator; Caroline Murray, Health Promotion Officer; physiotherapy department competitions and our website. Norma Deasy, Campaign Manager, Communications. at Monaghan Hospital They also sent out the Missing from photo Adrienne Lynam, Project Manager, kindly offered free health Challenge packs to our team Staff Health & Wellbeing. Golden celebrations in community nursing unit Tommie Walsh and his dear wife Annie celebrated their 50th wedding have two daughters, Mary and Florence, and many grandchildren who anniversary in Plunkett Community Nursing Unit, Boyle, Co Roscommon come to see their granny! recently, surrounded by their family, friends and staff from the Nursing Unit Annie came to Plunkett CNU in February 2018 and has since enjoyed where Annie lives. living in a community of friends and staff. She enjoys knitting, chatting Annie grew up in Cartron, Lough Allen, Co Roscommon and attended to other ladies from the Boyle area and is visited daily by her family and Cartron National School. Annie was good at needlework in school and friends. Annie finds Plunkett Community Nursing Unit friendly and helpful. enjoyed dress-making, farming and house-keeping in her earlier years. Her family comment that her mobility has improved considerably since Tommie and Annie, met in the Mayflower dance hall, Drumshambo, she has come to live in Plunkett CNU. Florence Walsh said, “Thanks to Co Leitrim which was a popular place to socialise at the time. They were all the staff In Plunkett Community Nursing Unit who helped make our married in Arigna Church and lived in Tullytawan, Ballyfarnon. The couple afternoon special. As always doing a fantastic job.” 2019 summer health matters 11
You Section Mas ter athlete pu ts in the ha rd w ork Bernie pride of the coombe ernie White is the super- B efficient supervisor of the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital’s Administration Office. She’s also one of Ireland’s Master athletes with more medals and awards than her mantelpiece can accommodate. “I was brought up eating and drinking athletics. My whole family have been involved in sports ever since I can remember and from an early age I was encouraged to take up athletics. As a child I was taking part in track and cross country events and always featured in the top six in the Dublin Juvenile Championships,” said Bernie. “Definitely I’m driven and always have been. What you see is what you get whether it’s in sport or work. I’m a very straight talker and a very pragmatic person. I just get on with things.” Getting on with things is Bernie’s trademark. In her more than 20 years working in the Coombe, Bernie has faced her fair share of trials and tribulations. A work accident left her with a permanent back injury and stopped her running for five years, breast cancer came and was beaten, and plenty of injuries along the way have left their marks from competing in Irish and European Championships. Bernie is one of nine children in a very close knit family and she was born in Dublin in 1965. Her athletic career has been inspired and helped by her close friendship with her coach Emily Dowling, one of Ireland’s best known athletes. Emily was the person who did much to help Bernie develop self-belief and self- confidence. As she waited at the starting line for every competition, Bernie would chant to herself, ‘If you believe you can do something, it will come easily.’ And it did. Travelling to countries including Denmark, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Finland and England, Bernie has notched up scores of medals and made many friends. She believes her finest achievement is her performance in the 800 metres in the European Outdoor Championships in In her early years as a Master athlete, currently a coach with the Dublin Striders Denmark in 2004 where she ran her personal Bernie’s weekends and much of her annual Club and she now enjoys coaching girls and best of 2 minutes, 18 seconds and point 72 of leave was spent taking part in national boys from Under 10 and Under 19 up to junior a second. Heartbreakingly, she came fourth, competitions across the country. The 800 level in track and field and cross country. The having been robbed of third place – and a metres is her favourite distance but she organising skills she displays in her job in medal - by a GB runner who shaved in ahead has regularly competed in 400m, 1500m the Coombe were particularly useful in 2011 by just 200th of a second!! and 3000m. Medals are, of course, a good when Bernie effortlessly put together a week But revenge is sweet and just two years outcome of any competition and back in 2007, long sports activity camp for youngsters later, Bernie was able to reverse the positions she arrived home from Nenagh one day with aged 8-12 which was booked out almost and put the same runner into fourth place a number of silvers for the 800m and 3000m immediately by grateful parents! while she picked up the bronze medal in and a gold for the 1500m. Bernie’s big competition days may be another 800 metres competition in Poland in a In more recent years, injury and surgery a distant memory but the training never time of 2.20.04. has led to a different shift in focus. Bernie is finishes. She’s out and about doing speed 12 health matters summer 2019
Roscommon appoints Ireland’s first specialist skin cancer nurse Bernadette Finneran, born in Manchester and living in County Roscommon for the last 30 years has been appointed as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) in Plastic Surgery at Roscommon University Hospital (RUH). Bernadette is the first RANP specialising in skin cancer in Ireland and is only one of three RANP posts in Plastic Surgery nationally. RANPs are the highest level of clinical experts in the nursing profession in Ireland today. She has over 20 years of nursing and surgical experience behind her. Bernadette began the journey to advanced practice by completing an advanced dermatology course in King’s College London in 2014. She then completed a two- year post graduate medicine programme Being a RANP in Clinical Dermatology and obtained a first-class honours Master’s Degree. She then allows me to undertook a higher diploma in Advanced develop as an independent Practice with prescribing and was awarded first-class honours. autonomous practitioner Bernadette’s role involves the assessment, and strive for continuous diagnosis and treatment of pre-malignant and malignant skin lesions. She is fully improvement and trained in dermoscopy, an invaluable tool excellence in practice in the assessment of skin lesions which enhances accuracy of diagnosis with increased sensitivity and specificity for the and early intervention and diagnosis offers detection of early melanoma. Bernadette optimal care for the patient. Bernadette gained invaluable experience in pursuing recognises that prevention is far better her specialised field in the UK and Austria to than cure and takes an active role in health ensure that optimum safe care is delivered promotion strategies. She introduced annual to the patients she cares for. During her time Safe Sun Awareness Days for staff and in the UK, Bernadette also trained in areola members of the public and worked with Club micropigmentation - a specialised technique Rossie and the Roscommon senior football which essentially signifies the end of a long team to raise skin cancer awareness with road for breast reconstructive patients by children last summer. recreating a three-dimensional artificial Deirdre Jones, consultant plastic and nipple. This allows these patients to feel reconstructive surgeon at RUH, said, “I am whole again and signifies the end of their very supportive of the development of the cancer journey. RANP role and of its potential to improve “Being a RANP allows me to develop as access to care for patients with skin cancer. an independent autonomous practitioner RANPs require the best available clinical sessions a couple of evenings a week, when and strive for continuous improvement and and academic training to allow them to she’s not coaching her beloved juveniles. Even excellence in practice. I am qualified to practice autonomously. Bernadette sought in winter, there’s no let up and Bernie can be assess and examine skin lesions, diagnose out an excellent course of study in the UK found pounding the streets close to home on and prescribe treatments, perform excisional and showed enormous commitment and dark, wet evenings. skin biopsy and wound closure and provide dedication to graduate at the top of her To Bernie, this is all about running for discharge and health promotion advice. All Master’s Programme. She, along with our other pleasure and to keep herself fit. And yes, of this is under the clinical governance of RANPs in Plastic Surgery, Amanda O’Halloran to get back into top form and possibly give Deirdre Jones, who is an inspirational mentor and Deirdre Conlon, makes a massive those competitions another go if her injuries always striving for and achieving clinical contribution to our service in Roscommon allow her. Her colleagues in the Coombe are excellence and I feel very privileged to be a University Hospital and this involvement is set incredibly proud of Bernie’s achievements and member of her team,” explained Bernadette. to increase with the introduction of RANP-led are keeping their fingers crossed that the day The incidence of skin cancer is increasing clinics and Photo Triage.” arrives when new medals will adorn her neck. 2019 summer health matters 13
You Section Ea mo nn co m pleted the six ‘majo rs’ paramedic gives marathon medal to boy he saved t is not often that you win He has been a great I a prestigious prize and then immediately give it away. But for little fighter and it Six Star marathon medal winner Eamonn Baxter, he could think was thinking of him that got of only one person that he wanted to have that me around the course, very special award. 56-year-old Eamonn has been a paramedic I wasn’t letting him down with the HSE for the past 22 years, based out of the University Hospital Galway. overweight and his blood pressure was high. Three and a half years ago, he saved Jonah “The reason I took up running back in 2011 Murphy’s life when the tiny baby went into was that I was overweight at over 90kg and cardiac arrest aged just seven weeks. This my blood pressure was raised. I bought a July, he will be celebrating his fourth birthday cross trainer and a treadmill and started thanks to Eamonn’s interventions. walking quickly on it and over time I started Eamonn visited Jonah and his family to hand to jog and then run. My weight has dropped to over the very special early birthday present 72kg and my BP has also dropped,” he said. when he returned to Ireland having completed “My first 5k was the Darkness into Light the Tokyo Marathon in Japan. and then I worked up to 8k and then just kept By crossing the finish line in Tokyo in March, going, I suppose.” Eamonn earned himself the unique Six Star Eamonn’s gruelling training regime also has marathon medal. Tokyo was his final world a unique twist – he does it all on his treadmill. marathon ‘major’, after previously completing “I know most people would be horrified to the 26.2 mile courses in London, Berlin, have to do all their running on a treadmill. But New York, Boston and Chicago. The medal is I suppose I don’t know any other way. When I awarded to participants who have completed took up the running, I used the treadmill all the all six of the major marathons. time and it just became second nature,” he said. There are only 92 of these medals in Ireland “When I started back in 2011, I could barely you have to respect the heat. The humidity and just under 5,000 worldwide before the break into a jog. So I used the treadmill to there was a big challenge, as it saps your London Marathon last month. try to build up my strength and stamina. I energy. It was my slowest of the six, coming “A friend had told me about the six majors. eventually got fitter and fitter and it became over the line at four hours and eight minutes. I had done Berlin at that stage and had much easier. Working the shift work of 10-12 “London is great but very congested, qualified for Boston. So that was two done and hours as I do as a paramedic, it is much easier whereas Berlin is a lovely flat course. There then I had the other four kind of in my sights. to walk in the door at any hour of the day or was one part of it where there was a road I thought it would be a great thing to aim for. night and just hop on the treadmill. I followed with a big cathedral at the end of it and you And always in the back of my mind was the my training plan around my work schedule could have sworn you were running down the little lad Jonah,” explained Eamonn. thanks to my trusty treadmill.” University Road in Galway,” he laughed. “I really wanted to do it for him. I didn’t want The training and running events also give He finished Berlin in a fine time of 3.29:53. to tell him or his parents about it in case I let Eamonn an outlet to distress and switch off The unique medal win wasn’t the end of them down by not getting them all done. But from work. the marathon effort for Eamonn. He recently once I had just Tokyo to go, I approached his “The life of a paramedic can be very tough so completed his 25th marathon in Limerick mum and dad and asked if they were okay it can be great to come home and get on the – where he started it all at his first marathon with me running it for Jonah and wearing his treadmill. It immediately clears the mind and back in 2013. picture on my t-shirt. They were delighted. makes sure I’m not thinking about work,” said “It was exactly six years to the day that I ran “After I came home, I dropped by the house the Galway paramedic. my first marathon so I thought that I better for a visit to give Jonah my medal. He was He said it was tough to choose which of the not skip it!” thrilled with it – and wasn’t letting go. He has big six was his favourite. Running 26.2 miles doesn’t get easier but been a great little fighter and it was thinking “In all my marathons, Japan was my first Eamonn has his own way of making sure he of him that got me around the course. I wasn’t wet one which is mad considering how many I doesn’t hit the famous ‘wall’ at 20 miles. letting him down.” have done back home here in Ireland without “Those last six miles are all about mental What is even more amazing about Eamonn’s any rain. In New York, it is an iconic course but strength. In fact, I usually look forward to achievement is the fact that he only started there’s a lot of waiting around beforehand. those last six miles. I just break it down into running back in 2011 because he was Boston is a very tough and hilly course and smaller races. Six miles is just a 10k like 14 health matters summer 2019
the first one I did in Clifden. Then when I’ve another mile done, I think ‘ah sure this is just the 8k Streets of Galway run.’ If I think about it like that, then it’s much easier to manage. Once you get half way round then you know you have more behind you than you have in front of you.” TOP AND ABOVE RIGHT: Eamonn Baxter with his Six Majors medal which he was awarded recently after he completed the Tokyo Marathon. ABOVE: Eamonn with Jonah Murphy and the special medal that he handed over to Jonah to keep. 2019 summer health matters 15
You Section TRANSPLANT ‘without my not be able s a paramedic Jason A McKenna is used to being a lifesaver. But, according to the Monaghan man, every single person has the potential to save multiple lives if they agree to become an organ donor. 13 years ago, Jason himself received the gift of life when he had a kidney transplant. In expressing his gratitude to his donor, Jason, who is now 40 years old, said, “Organ donation can mean different things to different people. As a transplant recipient, to me organ donation means an extended and normal life and being able to enjoy things that people take for granted. It also means the freedom to travel, to feel healthy and to make decisions without the constraints that constant medical care apply. “Without my transplant I could not have the life that everyone takes as the norm, nor would I have been able to pursue my career in pre-hospital care and commit to the level of education I have achieved. “I would not have the energy that my four- year-old daughter expects from me and it’s her energy that reminds me every day how life-changing, and how life-saving organ donation really is.” Jason attended the national launch of Organ Donor Awareness Week 2019, by the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, which was held at the Mansion House in Dublin. The annual campaign, which took place from March 30th until April 6th, is organised by the Irish Kidney Association new stamp will create more public awareness about organ donation An Post has issued a special national postage can happen. Carrying an organ donor card is organ donation. When the stamp is scanned stamp highlighting the importance of organ another clear sign, as is having this information by a smart device with the Cee App installed, donation to the lives of people living in Ireland. included on your driver’s licence. users will be redirected to the www.hse. One of Ireland’s longest surviving heart Prof Jim Egan, Director HSE, ODTI, said, ie/organ-donation web page. donor recipients, An Post staff member, Andy “I’d like to thank An Post for the creation of Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland Kavanagh and double lung transplant recipient, this special stamp. It will create more public (ODTI) was established to provide governance, David Crosby, who is preparing to run his third awareness about organ donation. It is only integration and leadership for Organ Donation full marathon in honour of his donor, were at because of the generosity of the Irish public and Transplantation in Ireland. The Office is the GPO, Dublin to launch the special stamp. that patients can receive the life-saving dedicated to saving and improving lives by An Post is joining with the HSE’s Organ treatment of an organ transplant. Our message improving organ donation rates in Ireland. Donation Transplant Ireland (ODTI) to ask the is simple: Organ Donation Saves Lives.” Irish public to talk with family about their wish Designed by Zero-G, the stamp and first day to be an organ donor #havethatconversation. cover feature an hourglass timer to represent Jsaon McKenna, Advanced Paramedic, NAS, with Talking to family about being an organ donor is the precious nature of time and the gift of life Pat Smith, Operations Resource Manager, NAS, at the most important step in ensuring your wish passing from one person to another through the organ donation stamp launch at the GPO. 16 health matters summer 2019
TRANSPLANT y transplant I would to live a normal life’ Without my Emergency Department of the Beaumont Hospital where he was connected to a considered for living donation, although he was initially hesitant about putting them transplant I could dialysis machine. He spent almost three through it. Eventually he came around to not have the life that weeks in Dublin and by coincidence was discharged on the same day he had the idea but in January 2006 he hit another health setback and ended up back in everyone takes as the originally booked his flight to visit home to hospital. norm, nor would I have celebrate the new Millennium. After nine months of dialysis at Cavan It was soon after this that another donor kidney became available. He was been able to pursue my General Hospital, he got news that a donor successfully transplanted in April 2006. career in pre-hospital kidney had become available. Unfortunately, the transplant was not successful and Jason finally decided to tell his story after seeing an appeal on the Facebook to coincide care and commit to the failed almost straight away. Complications with Organ Donor Awareness Week. level of education I have left Jason in a critical condition and it was thought that he might not pull through. “It is such an important thing for somebody to do. Organ donation is literally achieved Jason thankfully recovered and he lifesaving. Your donation could help a remained positive while waiting for a second number of people, save or transform their donor kidney to become available. lives. I would encourage anyone who is (IKA) and supported by the Organ Donation “I think I was able to stay positive through unsure about whether or not to become an Transplant Ireland (ODTI). it all because I had youth on my side. I was organ donor to check out the Irish Kidney The focus of Organ Donor Awareness in my 20s and although I was going through Association website or Facebook page to Week is to remind individuals to talk to their dialysis, I still felt energetic. I met plenty of read the stories of people who, like myself, families about their organ donation wishes people in their 50s and 60s doing dialysis have had transplants, and family members and keep the reminders of their decision too who weren’t able to do the things that who donated their loved ones’ organs. It available by carrying the organ donor card other people their age were doing. But I certainly puts it into perspective,” he said. permitting Code 115 to be included on their was working full-time, doing nights at a Jason, who works with the National driver’s licence and having the ‘digital organ security company while I got my dialysis Ambulance Station and is stationed at donor card’ APP on their smartphone. during the day. I was able to have a normal Castleblayney statiom, said he enjoys the In December 1999, as a 20-year-old living life. And sure for me, kidney problems and fact that he gets to help many people every in New York, Jason’s kidney began to fail hospitals were normal for me. My kidney day at work. and he was told he would have to go on issues started when I was six months old so “I spent so much time in hospital when I dialysis immediately. He had been working I always had to work my life around those was younger that I always said that I might illegally in the US on building sites so could hospital visits and stays. It was all normal as well stay there! I really love my job, not afford the medical care there and took for me,” he said. every day is completely different,” he said. the next available flight home. Jason went back on dialysis for another Jason’s interest in pre-hospital care When his plane touched down at five-and-a-half years. By 2005 his family was sparked in 2005 by a friend who was Dublin Airport, Jason was rushed to the members had started the process of being pursuing it as a career. “I did a first responder course. Then I got a part-time position driving for a private ambulance company. Then I did my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training in 2007 and joined the National Ambulance Service in 2011,” he explained. Having worked as a paramedic for several years, he continued his studies in the University of Limerick and then onto University College Dublin where he completed the Advanced Paramedic programme in 2018. Coincidently, one of his jobs was working with Lifeline Ambulance Service which transports transplant teams and coordinators around the country. He has also brought patients to Dublin for heart and lung transplants. 13 years on, Jason said he still appreciates how lucky he was to get a second chance at life thanks to his donor. 2019 summer health matters 17
You Section TRANSPLANT Gordon Ryan, who works in the Digital department of the HSE Communications Division, tells the story of the double-lung transplant that saved his life ‘Life on the transplant list was survival mode and uncertainty’ In July 2013 I received a life-saving double transplants in 2006 and I was first assessed the call that suitable lungs were available and lung transplant. This was because of the for transplant there in September 2008. I felt the operation went ahead. genetic condition Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which I there was a better chance of getting it at the Since my transplant, life has transformed. battled for many years. Though diagnosed as time in Newcastle where Irish CF patients were Simple things matter most like being able to a baby, I remained quite well until my early previously transplanted. The option to go on breathe again and hop on a bike. I was able to twenties. Unlike many others with the condition, either list was there until the Dublin unit found fly for the first time in six years and visited New I experienced a very normal hospital-free its feet, but you could only go on one list. York. I completed a Diploma in Radio Production childhood and adolescence. Life on the transplant list was survival mode and worked with local radio before taking on This all changed radically for the worse just as and uncertainty. Keeping going was all that a Masters in Journalism and freelancing as a I was finishing University in 2002. I found myself counted. Time was the biggest enemy because researcher with TV3 for a while. on the flat of my back in Vincent’s University you did not know how much of it you had left. Last year, I applied for a communications Hospital (CF center) with a severe lung infection. The doctors only advise people to go on the position through the HSE’s Gradlink program and That initial six-week admission was a steep transplant list when they believe you’ll live got accepted. I now work on the Digital Content learning curve in the realities of CF. It meant longer with a transplant than without it. team within the Digital Division and it has been a heavy duty intravenous antibiotic treatment, People used to ask me, ‘When will you get your hugely positive experience. There is a lot to learn daily airway clearance (physiotherapy technique) transplant?’ The answer was you were living in in digital. We design and publish accurate and to clear the sputum clogging the airways in the hope and might never get it. I saw good friends accessible health information for the public on lungs, increase in daily medications and nebs, of mine pass away before they ever got onto the new website HSE.ie. learning about resistant bugs and to top it off a the list, several died on the list waiting for lungs Recently my manager involved me on a new diagnosis of CF-related diabetes! that never came. They were amazing people in project about organ donation. We met with I had to catch up fast and come to terms with their twenties and thirties, full of life, personality, Organ Donor Transplant Ireland (ODTI) to plan a serious illness which others were coping with hopes and dreams to whom life randomly dealt a how we develop our content. Who arrived into since childhood. Thus began the merry go round very lousy card. the meeting, none other than my lung transplant of endless hospital admissions. It was difficult I was placed on the Newcastle list on June 1st consultant Professor Jim Egan, who now heads adjusting to living with CF when all I wanted to 2010. At this stage, life was merely an existence. up ODTI. The look on his face was priceless! He do was forget about it and get on with life like my When not in the hospital, I was striving to keep looked after me for several years throughout peers in their mid to late twenties were doing. myself well and out of it. By 2012 I was fully my transplant journey and now here we found For a few years, I played it down, pretending to oxygen dependent and my final lung function ourselves in a work meeting together. It was a myself and others everything was fine but the test read 12pc. surreal moment. repeated lung infections and hospital visits were I returned to Vincent’s hospital for the last time The gift of organ donation never ceases to intruding more. My attitude towards it eventually in February 2013 by which stage I couldn’t even amaze and I would strongly urge everybody to changed when an experienced nurse said to me, get upstairs and breathing was impossible. A sign up. I cannot conclude without mentioning ‘For you CF guys it’s not about getting better, bi-pap (non-invasive ventilator) strapped around the hero of my story - my donor. A young man it’s about keeping well.’ That insight definitely my head did the work of my lungs and I was in his early thirties who died accidentally, he proved a turning point as it helped me accept my confined to my hospital bed hoping for a miracle. and his family’s selfless act of generosity saved long-term situation and control what I could by Having reached the point where I’d lost faith and transformed my life. I am eternally grateful looking after myself better. with Newcastle, I switched over to the Irish list at to them and strive to make the most of the The Mater began performing CF lung the eleventh hour that July. One week later I got opportunity given to me, in his honour. 18 health matters summer 2019
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