Latest News
Inpatient Unit Volunteers
In June 2010, volunteers were introduced to support patient care in the Galway Hospice Inpatient Unit. The picture below was taken on the first day of the new service, and shows the first volunteer assigned for duty on the Inpatient Unit. Pictured L - R are Regina Luft (Healthcare Assistant), Karen Walsh (Staff Nurse), Marie Conroy (volunteer) and Rita Grealish (Volunteer Co-ordinator). An initial team of ten volunteers have commenced duties. We would like to thank all our volunteers who have put there names forward for this new initiative.
Irish Pride Hospice Heroes Awards 2010
At a gala ceremony in the Mansion House Dublin recently, Agnes O'Boyle accepted an Irish Pride Hospice Heroes Award on behalf of the Galway Hospice Weekly Draw Promoters for their loyalty and commitment to Galway Hospice. Many of the Galway Hospice Promoters have been promoting the Draw for up to 23 years. Pictured L-R are Claire McTigue (Irish Pride), Michael Craig (Galway Hospice) and Agnes O'Boyle (Galway Hospice Weekly Draw Promoter, representing all Promoters).
Annual Staff Achievement Awards 2010
The Galway Hospice annual Achievement Awards Day 2010 was held on 20th May 2010 in conjunction with International Nurses' Week. The event honours staff who have achieved additional educational qualifications, as well as staff who have retired in the preceeding year. The Awards were followed by a barbeque for Award recipients, their guests, staff and Day Care patients of the hospice. This year's celebrations were enhanced by a beautiful sunny day.
Award recipients were: Catriona Kilbane and Helen Roche (Post Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care), Margaret Forde and Simon Scott (Fetac Level 5 - Healthcare Assistant), Tom Horan (BA Hons in Religious Studies and Theology), Dan Keane (Diploma in Health & Safety), Geraldine Cooley (Diploma in Infection Control) and Colette Coen (Certificate in Manual Handling Training).
Retiring Staff who were honoured: Evelyn Mannion (Receptionist), Joan Stewart (Physiotherapist), Martin Fenton (Driver) and Moya James (Staff Nurse).
Below is a selection of photographs from the event :
Ann Flanagan (Member of Hospice Board), Moya James (retired Staff Nurse), Sean O'Healy (Chief Executive)
Ann Flanagan (Member of Hospice Board), Evelyn Mannion (retired Receptionist), Sean O'Healy (Chief Executive)
Colette Coen (Certified Manual Handling Trainer), Sean O'Healy (Chief Executive)
Sean O'Healy (Chief Executive), Tom Horan (BA Hons in Religious Studies and Theology), Mari Gallagher (Director of Nursing)
Margaret Burke (Fetac Co-ordinator, HSE West), Margaret Forde (Healthcare Assistant, recipient of Fetac Level 5 Award), Sean O'Healy (Chief Executive)
Carole Fabby (CNM2 Galway Hospice/P Dip Course Co-ordinator NUIG), Helen Roche (P. Dip in Palliative Care Nursing), Mari Gallagher (Director of Nursing)
Margaret Burke (Fetac Co-ordinator, HSE West), Simon Scott (Healthcare Assistant, recipient of Fetac Level 5 Award), Sean O'Healy (Chief Executive)
Tadhg O'Flynn (O'Flynn Medical, Event Sponsor), Patrick Glackin (A/Area Director HSE West), Noreen Goonan (Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing, HSE West), Kathleen Malee (Director of Public Health Nursing, HSE West) attending the Hospice Staff Achievement Awards Ceremony.
Hospice Head Chef Joe Beakey presenting excellent cuisine at the barbeque in the Hospice Courtyard.
Some of the guests and staff attending the barbeque in the Hospice Courtyard on the occasion of the Staff Achievement Awards Day 2010.
Galway Hospice becomes Ireland’s first Dual Accredited Palliative Care Centre of Excellence
Galway Hospice has been awarded both CHKS Accreditation and ISO 9001:2008 Certification, becoming the first hospice in Ireland to achieve full accreditation across all of its services, and the first hospice in Ireland to be awarded this prestigious dual accreditation.
The service-specific accreditation programmes of CHKS (Caspe Healthcare Knowledge Systems - part of the Capita Group plc) are approved by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) and by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Accreditation independently validates an organisation’s commitment to continuing improvement, and its capability of providing quality services. CHKS awards Accreditation to healthcare organisations which demonstrate that they have complied with approved international standards relating to legal and professional requirements, safety of patients, staff and visitors, patients’ rights and accepted sound organisational practice and clinical management systems in healthcare.
ISO Certification is a respected mark of quality, recognised across the world. ISO 9001:2008 is a standardised framework for a quality management system, regardless of what the user organisation does, its size, or whether it is in the public or private sector. Certification to ISO 9001:2008 provides externally verified assurance that an organisation has a proven systematic and consistent approach to the delivery of a quality management system.
“We are absolutely thrilled with confirmation of dual accreditation – it is a magnificent achievement for the entire team and certainly a moment to be savoured”, said Sean O’Healy, Chief Executive of Galway Hospice. “Despite our significant staffing and funding constraints, and with minimal external supports available to us, we took on the challenge of meeting two separate international accreditation standards, and we are delighted to be able to say that we have succeeded with distinction, achieving one of the highest compliance ratings on external survey ever recorded by the CHKS surveyors” added Mr O’Healy. “The task involved a superb team effort on the part of our hugely dedicated staff over a two-year period, supported by a fantastic group of volunteers, and a very committed Board of Directors”. Mr O’Healy also paid tribute to John Sweeney of Health Care Informed, who provided essential guidance throughout the process. “I am also particularly proud for the people of Galway, who have been so loyal and supportive to Galway Hospice over the years”.
As a dual-certified Centre of Excellence in the provision of palliative care services, Galway Hospice aims to continuously improve and develop its services, enhancing its role as the hub of palliative care services in the region and as a resource for best practice to all palliative care service providers both locally and nationally.
Staff Retirement
Staff Nurse Moya James is the first Staff Nurse to retire from Galway Hospice! The above picture was taken with some of her work colleagues on one of her last working days.
Staff Nurse Moya James being presented with flowers and champagne by Staff Nurse Sorcha Foy on behalf of all staff to mark her retirement from the Nursing Staff of Galway Hospice.
Defence Forces come to the aid of Galway Hospice Home Care Team
Galway Hospice gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Defence Forces in enabling the Hospice Home Care team to continue providing an extensive Home Care service despite prolonged treacherous road conditions. Pictured below on 8th January 2010 are Private Declan Maher, 1 Cn Cois, Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway, about to transport Martina Considine, Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Hospice Home Care team, to reach patients in weather-bound areas in rural County Galway. The Defence Forces continued to provide support up to and including Friday 15th January 2010, when weather conditions enabled Galway Hospice to revert to normal services. The involvement of the Defence Forces with Galway Hospice attracted extensive media interest, including a brief feature on RTE Nuacht and 6pm Evening News on Sunday 10th January 2010.
Accreditation Surveyors' Visit
Galway Hospice recently underwent a CHKS Accreditation Survey. The CHKS Accreditation system (www.chks.co.uk) is internationally unique as it combines a healthcare accreditation system, which has been approved by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), with the highest international business quality systems recognition of ISO 9001:2008. Accreditation provides a framework for ensuring the highest standards of practice across all aspects of care and service delivery. The visit of the Accreditation Surveyors took place on 24-26 November 2009. The Surveyors' feedback to the staff of Galway Hospice at the end of the survey was very positive. The Surveyors' final report is expected to be presented to the CHKS Accreditation Panel in early Spring 2010. Pictured during the Surveyors' visit are: (Back Row L-R) Andrew Knight and Dr Stephen Alvis (CHKS), Claire Hahessy and Sean O'Healy (Galway Hospice); (Front Row L-R): Pat Preece and Ann Al Dahma (CHKS), Dr Marie Hamming (Danish Observer), Mari Gallagher and Dr Ita Harnett (Galway Hospice). Galway Hospice's preparations for accreditation were supported by Health Care Informed (www.hci.ie).
Launch of 2009 Christmas Cards
Pictured at the launch of the Galway Hospice 2009 Christmas Card Collection: Back row (L -R) Michael Craig, Galway Hospice; Joe O'Toole, Supervalu, Tuam (Sponsor); John O'Reilly, Galway Stationery (Sponsor); Rory Tyson, Galway Independent (Sponsor): Sean O'Healy, CEO Galway Hospice. Front Row (L -R): Aoife Kenny, Sweeney Group (Sponsor); Cllr Declan McDonnell, Galway City Mayor (who launched the cards) and Patricia Murphy, Dawn Dairies (Sponsor). The sale of Christmas Cards is one of the most important annual fundraising events for Galway Hospice. The cards are sold through approximately 150 individuals and shop outlets throughout County Galway, with the entire sale price (€6.50) going to Galway Hospice. Galway Hospice acknowledges and appreciates the fantastic generosity of the Sponsors, the retail outlets and the many sellers and volunteers who, year after year, make this annual fundraising event so successful. Thank you to all concerned.
Stone Lakes perform at Memorial Walk 2009
Tuam band Stone Lakes entertain the crowd on a glorious sunny afternoon before the start of the Galway Memorial Walk on 13th September 2009. Over 2000 people took part in this year's Walk, remembering loved ones, and raising funds for Galway Hospice in the process. It was an afternoon of music, memories, camaraderie and a demonstration of the public's appreciation for the services of Galway Hospice.
Attending the Galway Memorial Walk 2009 were (left ot right): Gerry Trayers, Liam Caffrey (Jnr.), Dan Trayers, Liam Caffrey, John Caffrey and Brian Caffrey, all from Tuam, Co. Galway.
Galway Hospice Awards Ceremony 2009
Health Care Assistants who received their FETAC awards: Front row: Bridie Quinlivan, Mary Thornton, Regina Luft and Patricia Haran. Also in the photo (back row) are Margaret Burke (FETAC Co-ordinator), Sean O'Healy (CEO, Galway Hospice) and Mari Gallagher (Director of Nursing, Galway Hospice).
Galway Hospice staff who received post-graduate awards/recognition: (back row): Judy Tierney (B.A. Personnel Management); Sean O'Healy, Chief Executive; Mari Gallagher, Director of Nursing; Breda King (Diploma in People Management & Employee Relations); Front row: Carole Fabby (Masters in Health Science); Dan Keane (P.Dip. in Palliative Care); Geraldine Cooley (P.Dip. in Palliative Care). Not in photo: Nora Moloney (Masters in Palliative Care); Ann Moriarty (P.Dip. in Palliative Care).
Summer BBQ at Galway Hospice
During the beautiful spell of weather in the early summer, a BBQ was held for staff and Day Care patients of Galway Hospice which was enjoyed by all, to coincide with the annual Awards Ceremony for staff. Head Chef Joe Beakey once again came up trumps with a variety of hot and cold foods to suit all tastes. The Sports and Social Club organised a colouring competition that was very keenly contested. Day Care patients always enjoy this event, sharing in the fun and camaraderie with staff.
Visit of students from Grand Rapids State University - May 2009
Galway Hospice has, for a number of years, welcomed students from the School of Social Work at Grand Valley State University, Michigan. Their visit to Galway Hospice includes lectures on various aspects of palliative and hospice care. The students also "give back" to the hospice through volunteer support. This year's group, pictured above, included their Faculty Professor, Dr Joan Borst (centre, back row).
Hospice Sunflower Days 2009
"Sunflower Days" collections were held throughout Ireland on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June 2009 in aid of hospice. Local businesses and an army of volunteers assisted Galway Hospice in making collections throughout County Galway on those days. The photo, taken at Dolan's Garage in Ballinasloe, shows Jason Sammon (Dolan's), Kay Killeen and Celia McCafferty (Volunteer collectors), and Mary Burke (Dolan's). All funds raised in County Galway went directly to Galway Hospice. Sincere thanks to all who helped in any way with the Galway Hospice Sunflower Days collections 2009.
First Steps Towards Expanding Galway Hospice Services
Galway Hospice has submitted a proposal to the HSE for the expansion of hospice facilities in Galway to include 14 additional beds and greatly enhanced facilities such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and family accommodation. A number of site options are being considered, including an area currently adjoining Galway Hospice. In May 2009 work was carried out to demolish derelict buildings and clear this site. The proposed development is fully in line with government policy for hospice services. The hospice is very grateful to Maveric Contractors who cleared the site without charge, in appreciation of the services provided by Galway Hospice to the community.
Galway Hospice Pharmacy Information Evening
A large number of Community Pharmacists from all parts of County Galway attended an Information Evening for Pharmacists at Galway Hospice in April 2009. The event, which was organised by the Pharmacist at Galway Hospice, Karen Hodgson, provided community pharmacists with information on the medications currently used in palliative care, and a discussion on the optimum flow of communications/information between the hospice team and the community pharmacists. Hospice staff Dr Ita Harnett (Consultant in Palliative Medicine), Dr Ray Doyle (Home Care Doctor), Breda King (Home Care Co-ordinator), Carole Fabby (IPU Nurse Manager) and Karen Hodgson (Pharmacist) contributed to the information evening.
Galway Hospice Volunteers win Mayor’s Award
The Galway Hospice Volunteers won a coveted Mayor's Award under the “Social & Community Support” category at a gala Awards Ceremony held at the Black Box Theatre in Galway on 20th January 2009. This Award is a huge tribute to the many people who serve or have served as volunteers with Galway Hospice. This includes the 100 volunteers who currently provide regular input across all hospice services, the seven Founding Members who started the whole process of developing hospice services in Galway as far back as 1986, the Trustees, the past and current Board Members who oversee the delivery of services, the many people who fundraise through both annual and once-off events, the staff members who provide their time and skills outside of their working hours, and countless others. This Award is a fitting tribute to those wonderful people who give so much, and in doing so, help us to bring comfort and dignity to those under our care. Pictured (below) at the Awards Ceremony are (L-R): Rita Grealish, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Galway Hospice; Cllr Padraig Conneely, Mayor of Galway; Sheila O’Callaghan, representing Galway Hospice Volunteers; Sean O’Healy, Chief Executive, Galway Hospice.
Grant Funding from People in Need Trust
Galway Hospice Foundation has received grant funding of €30,000 towards the cost of the fleet of vehicles used to provide the Home Care ("hospice at home") service. In 2008, our team of Clinical Nurse Specialists, Doctors, Social Workers and Pastoral Care provided 4642 home visits throughout Galway City and County, including the Aran Islands, driving a total of 158,556 kilometres in the process. This grant funding from the People in Need Trust is very much appreciated.
Launch of 2008 Christmas Cards
Front L-R: Marianne Shine - Medtronic (sponsor), Cllr. Padraig Conneely - Galway City Mayor, Sean O'Healy - Galway Hospice CEO. Back L-R: Tom Creedon - Medtronic (sponsor), Jarleth Feeney - Galway Independent (sponsor), Ann Flanagan - Galway Hospice Board Member, John O'Reilly - Galway Stationary Supplies (sponsor), Declan Dooley - Galway Independent (sponsor) and David Keogh - the Sweeney Group (sponsor).
Grant Funding from Irish Hospice Foundation
The Irish Hospice Foundation has approved funding of €65,611 over a two year period from 2008 to support Galway Hospice in increasing Day Care services from two days to three days per week. This funding is greatly appreciated.
Grant funding from Irish Cancer Society
The Irish Cancer Society, under its Daffodil Day funding, has been supporting the provision of Galway Hospice Home Care services through grant funding for a number of years. In 2008 and 2009, the Irish Cancer Society are providing €45,500 each year specifically towards the Home Care service. This funding is greatly appreciated.
Photo Gallery
To see photos from recent fundraising events and cheque presentations please click here
Newsletter
20th Anniversary Celebrations 2007 For more details please click here
Site Acquired for Galway Hospice Expansion
The Galway Hospice Foundation is in discussion with the HSE about expanding the palliative care facility of the Galway Hospice towards meeting the needs identified by the Palliative Care Needs Assessment (2003).
Galway Hospice Open Day 2006
Galway Hospice Foundation held an ‘Open Day’ for nursing professionals on Friday
26th May 2006 to mark International Nurses’ Week. For more details please click hereLaunch of Art Therapy Room 2006
Visit of An Tanaiste 2006
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