Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine - St Vincent's ...

Occupational Therapy Department
St.Vincent’s Healthcare Group
A.O.T.I Annual Conference. The group continues to promote
an active CPD culture.
Departmental statistics
New Patients 2002 and 2003
Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (A.O.T.I).
A . O. T.I invo l vement included Va l e rie Kelley, Education Committee
and Odhrán A l l e n ,Vice Chair Education Committee.
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
D e p a r t m e n t
Education
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Occupational Therapists presented many inservices and lectures
throughout the year including:
Catherine Keogh,Senior O.T, "Risk Assessments in Old Age
Psychiatry" Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland
2003 Conference
Carol O’Donnell,Senior O.T, presentation to Community
Occupational Therapists
Many staff members continued participation in professional
special interest groups for Rheumatology, Older Persons,Hand
Therapy, Pain Management and Oncology.
Katie Robinson continued with her second year of the MSc. in
Rehabilitation Studies at U.C.D.
Catherine Keogh commenced an MSc. in Occupational Therapy
at Trinity College Dublin.
Carol O’Donnell,Senior O.T completed a course on Teaching
Stress Management and Relaxation (60 hours).
Louise Rodgers,Senior O.T completed a 3-week course on
Neuro-Developmental Treatment.
Carmel Collins, Senior O.T participated in a research project
exploring issues around elderly patients caring for children;
"Stroking the right balance – the older person caring for the
younger child" (publication pending).
Carmel Collins,Senior O.T attended an education course
"Dementias 2004" in London (Jan 2003).
Odhrán Allen,Catherine Keogh and Valerie Kelley attended the
A.O.T.I Annual Conference.
Future Plans
• Continued development of the computerised Data
Management System
• Focus on outcome measures and documentation of patient
goals in all clinical areas
• Continue working on Quality Improvement Plans fo rmulated
by the accreditation care service teams
• Establish a relaxation group in Rheumatology
• Commence research project in Medicine for the Elderly
exploring issues relating to driving among the elderly
population.
Stroke and Neurology Activity
Clinical Area New Patients Year
2002 2003
Stroke In-Patient New 223 291
Neurology In-Patient New 36 70
Stroke Out-Patient New 4 22
Neurology Out-Patient 12 22
Clinical Area Treatment Units Year
2002 2003
Stroke In-Patient Units Direct 2452 3710
Neurology In-Patient Units Direct 505 586
Stroke Out-Patient Units Direct 106 375
Neurology Out-Patient Units Direct 102 95
Old Age Psychiatry Activity
Clinical Area New Patients & Units Year
2002 2003
Old Age Psychiatry In-Patient New 27 37
Old Age Psychiatry Out-Patient New 105 119
Old Age Psychiatry In-Patient Units Direct 187 295
Old Age Psychiatry Out-Patient Units Direct 808 1467
Chaplaincy Department
The Chaplaincy Department like every other department
within the hospital represents a very specific and professional
discipline. It works with other professional disciplines in
providing an overall or holistic service that is geared to Total
Patient Care and Ministry to the family.
The Department is interdenominational in character and all
members of the department are professionally trained for their
work.
The Department has two main functions:
• To provide Pastoral and Sacramental Service to patients,
their families and staff.
• To provide educational programmes for the ‘in-service
training’of student chaplains.
Chaplaincy Staff
Since the last annual review there have been changes in
personnel. Sr. Sheila Wall was transferred by her Order to
work as a Chaplain in St.Vincent’s Private Hospital.For the past
five years Sheila was a diligent and committed member of the
Chaplaincy team and is fondly remembered for her dedication
to duty and for the care and compassion she demonstrated to
patients,relatives and staff.
The Clergy from the Parish of Taney who had temporary
responsibility for Church of Ireland chaplaincy duties were
replaced in October by a new permanent Chaplaincy team.
During their short term of office they provided an excellent
service to patients.The new Church of Ireland team consists of
Rev.Ted Ardis,Rev. Ron Watts and Ms. Joan Kirk.They are a
very welcome addition to the Ecumenical Chaplaincy
Department.
Service
When patients are admitted to hospital in need of healing
for a physical or emotional illness,they often
Allied Health Professional and Support Services
bring with them other concerns that range over the
psychological and spiritual dimensions of their lives. Being
aware of their many concerns the Chaplaincy Department
responds at different levels:
• In the administration of the sacraments and in providing
appropriate spiritual care and counselling to patients.The
need for this care is acutely felt at times of great anxiety such
as major surgery and especially terminal illness.
• Much time is spent with families of patients,supporting those
shattered by the terminal illness of those closest to them,and
later in consoling the bereaved.
• The Chaplaincy Department continues to provide a twentyfour
hour service in the hospital. The team consists of three
Roman Catholic ordained chaplains,two Church of Ireland
ordained chaplains,two chaplains from the Religious Sisters of
Charity, one voluntary chaplain and the supervisor of the
Clinical Pastoral Education - Fr. Joe Cahill. The Department is
very fortunate to have over forty lay volunteers who serve
as Ministers of the Eucharist and assist in bringing the Blessed
Sacrament to patients on a daily basis.
During the past year the chaplains attended at over 700 deaths
and made 60-80 pre-operation visits per week to patients who
had requested a visit. Added to these were the informal visits
made on wards when time permitted.
Staff Support
The members of the Chaplaincy department
work closely with other health care
professionals and are available to
provide counselling and support to
staff when the need arises.
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