Pulse ULHG Staff Newsletter No 241

Written on 08/08/2024
Mikeala McMahon


Reminder: De-Escalation Period UL Hospitals Group

Due to ongoing exceptionally high demand for Urgent and Emergency Care, several measures to de-escalate the UHL site have been commenced.

These include the deferral of elective and day surgery, endoscopy and outpatient appointments until further notice at UHL, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital. Services at University Maternity Hospital Limerick continue as normal.

During the de-escalation period, it is imperative we refocus our efforts on inpatient activity and work with our community colleagues to improve discharge planning and effect earlier discharges.

There are a limited number of exceptions to these deferrals in scheduled care.

Appointments at UHL which are going ahead include:

•Time critical surgery (patients being contacted directly)
•Cancer services (oncology and haematology day ward; haematology and oncology outpatient clinics; medical oncology clinics; rapid access clinics for breast, lung and prostate)
•Cardiology services: Day ward; cardiology diagnostics; heart failure (ANP) clinic and cardiac rehabilitation
•Rapid Access Medical Unit (DVT, diabetes, epilepsy, anticoagulant, warfarin, respiratory, fibroscan)
•Dermatology, rheumatology, infectious diseases outpatient clinics
•Bronchoscopy Rapid Access
•CF outpatients
•OPAT (outpatient therapy)
•Fracture Clinic
•Paediatric surgery and outpatient clinics
•Vascular Laboratory
•Ambulatory trauma (Croom)
•Dialysis

We may request that staff redeploy to other services for the duration of the de-escalation period. In taking these measures to de-escalate the UHL site, we hope to:

üSignificantly reduce the number of admitted patients on trolleys in ED and on inpatient wards
üImprove active management of patient flow
üReduce pressure on ED and on our assessment units to improve the key functionalities of these units
üImprove patient experience by reducing wait times
üEnhance discharge planning and achieve earlier discharges
üUse the de-escalation period to review, improve and introduce new processes and procedures to improve patient flow as services are gradually stood back up
üReduce pressure on frontline staff

While we accept that these measures will create challenges in the medium-term, we believe they are in the best interests of patients and staff alike to bring the UHL site to a more stable level of escalation.


 


Health Literacy Clinic

If you are working on a leaflet, booklet or presentation and want make it literacy friendly, join us at our health literacy clinic

 

Date: Monday 12 August

Time: 11am

Venue: Tutorial Room 7/8 CERC UHL

You can find our resources such as leaflet templates and the HSE Communicating Clearly Guidelines and more on ihub.

If you are interested in attending, please contact us by emailing ulhgcommunications@hse.ie and let us know the project you want to work on in advance.


 


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.


 


Outbreak Update UHL

Ward

TYPE

Status /Visiting

3D

Covid  & Flu

Main Ward Closed to Admissions/Compassionate visiting only

1B

Covid

Stable / No visiting restrictions

3A

Covid

Stable/ No visiting restrictions

1C

Covid

Stable / No visiting restrictions

All efforts should be made to reduce foot traffic through outbreak wards. This means a minimal number of team members should round on the affected wards.

Important notice on Mask Wearing:

Surgical or FFP2 mask wearing is recommended for visitors and all staff working in the above wards. Patients and visitors to be offered surgical masks on entry to these areas.

Remember:

•Personal Packs of alcohol-based hand gel are available for staff.
•Gloves to be worn appropriately, required for contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions only.
•The decontamination of communal equipment is vital.
•Ensure that disinfectant wipes are available at communal computer points.
•No open sweets, biscuits tins at stations etc.
•Sitting on patients' beds discouraged.
•Discard open fruit/food on patient lockers in outbreak wards

 


 


MMR Vaccine Clinics

Health Care Workers across the Mid-West are being invited to attend one of the free MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) Catch Up Vaccination Clinics over the coming weeks if they require the vaccine.

Location

Clinic Date

Clinic Time

Type

Croom Hospital

12/08/2024

10:30-13:00

MMR Catch Up Clinic – HCW Clinics

Kilmallock Primary Care Centre

13/08/2024

10:00-12:00

MMR Catch Up Clinic – Walk In & Scheduled

St Brendan’s Health Centre, Rosbrien

13/08/2024

14:30-15:30

MMR Catch Up Clinic – Walk In & Scheduled

Ennis Hospital

13/08/2024

09:30-12:30

MMR Catch Up Clinic – Walk In & Scheduled

Clarecastle Health Centre

15/08/2024

10:00-13:00

MMR Catch Up Clinic – Walk In & Scheduled

Cre House Primary Care Centre, Templemore

15/08/2024

11:00-15:00

MMR Catch Up Clinic – Walk In & Scheduled