A number of staff in Buncrana Community Hospital have benefitted from new training focused around palliative care.
The CARU programme was facilitated by the HSE, Irish Hospice Foundation and All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care.
The aim of the CARU project in Buncrana Community Hospital is to support and empower the staff in the delivery of palliative, end of life and bereavement care which in turn enhances quality of life for residents on their final journeys and eases the bereavement process for their families.
Five members of staff took part in four workshops, which were facilitated by Clodagh McGuinness from the Irish Hospice Foundation and were held in The Base in Stranorlar.
Since undertaking the CARU learning program, staff have introduced changes in the hospital which include a memory table, bereavement support corner and the refurbishment of the oratory. They are also organizing an end of year remembrance mass for families of residents that have passed away this year which will be held in November.
Feedback since undertaking the course has been very positive from families. Relatives have stated that “their loved one was cared for very well in their final days”, treated “like a king” “staff are very kind” and that their relative “could not have been in a better place”.
Assistant Director of Nursing at Buncrana Community Hospital, Martina Murphy said “the knowledge, learning and the experience the staff have gained through completing the CARU Project has had a very positive effect, not only on the staff who work in Buncrana Community Hospital but also to the residents and their family members that have come through the doors of Buncrana Community Hospital. This has been reflected in the comments and feedback from the community. In Buncrana Community Hospital, the staff are committed in creating a compassionate and supportive environment for all the residents and their families on their final journeys.”
Martina said that she will continue to support the CARU team in Buncrana and welcomes any further learning/training in this area and encourages other community hospitals to participate in the CARU project.
