Golden Patient initiative
We have recently introduced the Golden Patient initiative at UHL. The “Golden Patient” is a patient who is discharged and vacates their inpatient ward by 11am on the day of discharge, creating early capacity for incoming patients. This initiative aims to improve patient experience and support a smooth and efficient discharge process.
All team members must understand and support the Golden Patient initiative to ensure its success. This involves identifying eligible patients, informing them and their family, completing necessary documentation, and facilitating a safe discharge before 11am. Team members should promptly address any barriers to early discharge.
National Inpatient Experience Survey
The last day for handing out discharge packs for the National Patient Experience Survey was May 31st.
Patients aged 16 and over who spent 24hrs or more in our hospitals during May are now being invited to take part by completing a questionnaire.
Patients have until 31st of July to complete the questionnaires and return them by post or online.
Free Coffee Grounds for Gardening Sustainable
Our catering team in UHL have gone above and beyond by setting up a station for staff to take free coffee grounds home for their gardens. They understand the benefits of using coffee grounds in gardening - from adding nutrients to enhancing soil quality.
This sustainable initiative not only promotes healthy plant growth but also shows commitment to making a positive impact on the environment. Well done to the catering team for their thoughtful and eco-friendly initiative.
Margo King and Adrian Callinan with buckets of Coffee compost that Margo and her colleagues have being collecting from our Bewley’s Coffee in the Staff Restaurant
Hannah Ryan Catering Department with her Coffee compost for her Garden
Heart Failure Awareness Week
Nenagh Hospital heart failure unit staff hosted an information stand for International heart failure awareness week in May.
Staff, patients and the public engaged with the team to learn about heart failure signs & symptoms, early diagnosis, treatment and the local heart failure service available.
The winner of the quiz was clinical skills facilitator, Anne O’ Rourke Carew seen above receiving her prize a fine art print by Jacinta Glasgow, CNMII, HFSU with Dr Abbas consultant cardiologist, and Kathryn O Brien CNS HF.
Pictured: staff and patients who visited the stand
Sunscreen Stations UHL
Sunscreen stations with free factor 50 have been installed at reception and in the Health and Wellbeing Centre for patients, service users, and staff. Another station will be installed for the Maintenance team who frequently work outdoors.
The project was worked on collaboratively by the Maintenance and Dermatology Departments and the Healthy Ireland Team. As you may know, our Dermatology Department consistently promotes SunSmart messages to patients, service users, and staff throughout the year. During the summer months these messages become even more important.
This initiative aims to promote sun safety practices among all members of the UHL community.
More info on Skin Cancer Prevention here
Evelyn Power, Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Skin Cancer, Dermatology Department and Eimear Laffan, Healthy Ireland Project Manager at one of the sunscreen stations located near reception UHL.
Emerald Park Tickets
The UL Hospitals Group Sports and Social Club are delighted to announce the introduction of discounted Emerald Park tickets for staff.
- All-Access day tickets for only €39
- Children 0-2 years have free entry
- All tickets are valid until November 2025
If interested, please contact Eimear Laffan at healthandwellbeing.ulhg@hse.ie
Full terms and conditions can be found in the H&W Section of the Staff App.
World No Tobacco Day 31 May
On World No Tobacco Day, our team at UHL raised awareness of our tobacco and vape free hospital policy as well as highlighting support available to quit smoking. One of the highlights of the day was the unveiling of a new clean air space outside the canteen, promoting a smoke and vape free environment. The designated space, with a lovely mural, offers staff a peaceful, smoke-free outside eating area.
Thank you to the operational services department who assisted with the mural project.
For more information visit Quit.ie or contact Niamh Keating Health Promotion & Improvement Officer, niamh.keating4@hse.ie
087 9377623
Vending Machine Audits
Healthcare settings must lead in promoting healthy snack choices. Vending machine audits were conducted by the Health and Wellbeing team to ensure compliance with national policy. Operational Services Department liaised with the supplier to update selections to include low-calorie snacks, display calories, offer drinks without added sugar, and ensure half were water. A follow-up audit in May showed significant improvements.
UL Hospitals Group Clinical Audit Conference
The ULHG Clinical Audit Conference, showcased staff audits and promoted sustainable change through improvement. NOCA presented the local ULHG data and Kemmy Business School provided valuable insights on organizational change. Congratulations to the four winners. The winning audits were:
- Can a redesign of fracture clinic scheduling allow for more timely assessment of distal radius fractures?
- An audit of paracetamol prescribing in adult patients at University Hospital Limerick (UHL)
- Patient Information for Consent: Compliant with HSE guidelines for communicating clearly using plain English with our patients and service users- OPD Croom Hospital
- Audit of Care of the dying patient in St Johns Hospital
Diversity Equality & Inclusion
Learning & Development ULHG have worked with the HSE Diversity Equality and Inclusion office and HSELanD team to make the following programmes available to staff through the ULHG.Achieve catalogue of courses:
- Leading multi-cultural teams (virtual classroom) Dates available.
- Diversity Equality Inclusion – Module 1 – An Introduction (online programme – must be completed to enrol in “Leading multi-cultural teams” above).
- Diversity Equality Inclusion – Module 2 - Inclusive Communication at Work (online programme).
- Diversity Equality Inclusion – Module 3 - Working in a Diverse Team (online programme).
Queries to LDU@hse.ie
MRCPI Clinical Exams in Paediatrics
The Paediatrics Department at UHL and UL facilitated the Part 2 MRCPI exams in Paediatrics recently. The exams took place in the CERC building at UHL with 20 examiners, 16 child patients, and 28 candidates rotating through six clinical stations. ULHG Paediatric CNS and ANP provided support for the children. Prof Clodagh O’Gorman, Consultant Paediatrician at UHL, convened the exams with the support of Prof Annemarie Murphy and other consultant staff in Paediatrics. Thanks to all involved for their collaborative efforts.
The team of organisers and examiners on the day.
Ms Verity Hayes, HSA & NDTP Coordinator, Ms Laura Ginty, Health Sciences Academy, and Ms Sarah Carroll, Senior Technical Officer – Simulation
Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan 2024-2031
The government's recent announcement of the Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan means that our region will see an additional 382 acute beds added by 2031. This significant increase in capacity will help address the rising demand for healthcare services and ensure better access for patients in need of acute hospital care.
The expansion plan aligns with the region's commitment to providing quality healthcare based on patient needs, supported by ongoing government investment in health services.
Snip from full report above- Full report available here
Ennis Hospital now has its first Allied Health Multi-Disciplinary Team
Ennis Hospital has just passed a major milestone in its continuing service development with the formation of the hospital’s first ever dedicated Multi-Disciplinary Team of Allied Health professionals.
The move complements Ennis’s existing physiotherapy team with a full-time dietitian, a speech and language therapist, two occupational therapists and a medical social worker, providing the hospital’s inpatients with access to a full range of allied health disciplines.
Get the full story here