a message from ourchief executive officer

a fond farewell to John A. Murphy

I would like to take this opportunity to wisheveryone who works at Mercy UniversityHospital a Happy New Year and to thank youfor your support and energy in the provisionof services to our patients during 2005.

Our objective for 2006 will be to continue todeliver the best care we can to our patients withthe resources available to us. The year aheadpromises to be very challenging – and wewelcome it and all that it may bring.

Individual staff members are central to the futuresuccess of Mercy University Hospital and theirdevelopment must be a key focus for the future.In 2006, we will start a process of empoweringstaff to deliver an even more responsive andappropriate service. Our Human ResourcesDepartment (HR) will be central to how wedevelop our staff with the supports and skillsthey need to perform and excel in their careershere. As early as possible in 2006, we will havea new HR Officer in place to support our nursingstaff and a new HR Manager reporting directly tome as CEO. I want to continue to improve therecruitment process and to make it as effectiveas possible – for managers recruiting to fillvacancies and for prospective candidates makingapplication. This will mean implementingappropriate and responsive recruitment andretention processes that will be led by our HRDepartment. We will identify appropriate staffretention measures based on a review of thereasons that leavers have provided uponcompletion of their employment with us.

Throughout the Mercy, we need to listen to eachother and to gauge how views are changing overtime. Ideas and feedback from staff will be keyto the future development of our Hospital. I ampresently looking at ways to ensure that wereceive and respond to information from those ofyou working on the front line with our patients.

L-R: Jim Corbett - Deputy Chief Executive Officer, John A. Murphy - former Chief Executive Officer and PatrickMadden - Chief Executive Officer.

MERCY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, CORK LIMITED Issue No. 9 January 2006

A Quarterly Newsletter

John Murphy was the public face of the Mercy Hospital and/or the Mercy University Hospital forover 20 years – of itself a considerable achievement. Over that time, he worked with the Sistersof Mercy, consultants, non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs), nursing and paramedical staff,and the wider team in management and non-clinical services to ensure that the Hospitaldelivered the best quality care possible to patients.

continued on page 2

My introduction to John was in conjunction with theclosure of the North Infirmary and a time of severedifficulty for all hospitals in Cork. Many may forgetthat there was considerable concern that therewould be further hospital closures at the time.In some ways the fact that the Mercy came throughthis crisis and went on to develop and prosper insubsequent years is in no small way due to John’s efforts.

The achievements during his period on watch havebeen many. The new ward block built in the late1990s has transformed our Hospital. It has allowedthe addition of the Geriatric Medicine andPsychiatry services on site, the opening of first-class laboratory facilities, and provided space forClinical Pharmacology / Cardiology Department.The planned Emergency Department is to follow.

Beyond bricks and mortar, there are now a widerange of services that simply did not exist in the1980s and all of which required planning,financing, organising, physical space, and a few ofwhich had teething problems to get over. In all ofthis John conducted the orchestra. He has seen thearrival of ultrasound, nuclear medicine, CTscanning, exercise testing, neurophysiology, sleepapnoea service, social work service, expanded

physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speechtherapy, dietetics, major expansion of bothOutpatients Department and EmergencyDepartment services, medical oncology, and thecontinued development of surgical specialisation.

What many may not have seen were the hoursspent at planning and coordinating meetings inCork and Dublin, including the Kenny Committee,the Pan Cork Hospital Initiative and annual battlesfor the Hospital budget. In some ways, these areseen as thankless tasks – but all the more reasonto acknowledge them here.

Turning to the man himself, from the time I first met him to now, he has always been a perfectgentleman. His quietly spoken manner and furrowedbrow will be missed. I believe these marked his calmbut conscientious approach to all problems. Havingmet him recently, the furrowed brow has smoothedconsiderably and his smile is wider. I wonder why!

I am sure all staff will join me in wishing him manysmiling years to come. He can surely look back ona job well done and, like myself, is old enough torecognise with Horace a monument more lastingthan bronze.

Dr. Neil Brennan, Consultant Physician / Respiratory

more on page 5

Mercy Times Jan 2006 23/01/2006 10:30 Page 1

generous support for muh

times2

welcomeWelcome to the ninth edition of the ‘MercyTimes’ – this newsletter is published on aquarterly basis.

We wish to express our thanks to everyonewho submitted articles, information and / orphotos for this edition. This newsletter isyours and it is important that we cover itemsof interest to you. We welcome your commentsand ideas, and would be delighted to considerfor publication any article, photograph or otheritem of interest that you may have. Weencourage you to submit items to one of theEditorial Committee members or to thefollowing address / e-mail:

Ms. Donna PeytonMercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork.(021) 427 1971 ext. 5557dpeyton@muh.ie

Please clearly label all submissions –“NEWSLETTER”. The deadline for the nextedition is 24th March 2006. Unfortunately, wecannot guarantee to publish or to returnsubmitted items, but will do our very best.

Staff may access previous issues of thenewsletter electronically by accessing the “H”drive, opening the Public Folder and openingthe Mercy Times folder.

Thank you,‘Mercy Times’ Editorial Committee

editorial committee

Bernice Glavin Siobhán O’MahonyClare Horgan Tony O’Regan (Photographer)Jenny Murphy Donna Peyton (Editor)Seán O’Bulmáin Mary TwohigDeirdre O’Connor

Special thanks to our Committee Photographerand several members of staff who providedphotographs for this edition.

Bristol-Myers Squibb supports the work of our Acute Pain Nurse. L-R: Patrick Madden, Colette Langan - CommercialDirector of Bristol-Myers Squibb, Mary Dunnion, Eileen Cashman - Acute Pain Nurse and Dr. Liam Conroy.

Tanya McSweeney making a donation of €2,000 to the ICU Department in recognition of their help and kindness.L-R: Rachael O’Connor, Irene McSweeney and Tanya McSweeney.

a message from our chief executive officercontinued from page 1

During 2006, we will join the Health PromotingHospitals Network. Health promotion is a keyresponsibility of all hospital staff, and must becomean integral part of how we all work and deliverhealth services. Despite improvements in thegeneral health, well-being and social conditions ofour population, the Mercy has never been busierand health disparities continue. People who live indisadvantaged circumstances continue to havemore illness and more disability than their moreadvantaged counterparts. We have an important rolein this Hospital to strive towards better health for allthe people we come into contact with.

The responsibility for the allocation of funding toMercy University Hospital now lies with the HealthService Executive (HSE); and its financial focus in2006 will be on rewarding efficiency. There will bea greater emphasis on measuring individual hospitalactivity and performance; and the allocation of

increased funding for our services will be based onour ability to prove that we are efficient at what wedo. Those hospitals that can prove efficiency will bein a better position to argue for additionalresources. This is a change from previous practice.

A further priority will be on controlling expenditure.We will be obliged to manage within our HSE 2006budget allocation and to operate within the confinesof our staff ceiling. I will be seeking the cooperationof all staff during this challenging process ofproving efficiency and of ensuring that all funding isspent wisely and productively.

I look forward to the continued commitment by allstaff to caring for our patients throughout 2006.

Patrick Madden Chief Executive Officer

thought for thedayEveryday Acts of CourtesyListen. People appreciate it when you pay attention.Greet people you don't usually take the timeto acknowledge.Send a thank you note to recognisesomeone's good deed or act of kindness.Keep your curiousity in check.Don't ask pointless personal questions.When somebody impresses you,pay an honest compliment.If you are walking with someone who can'tkeep up with your pace, slow down.

Author Unknown

Mercy Times Jan 2006 23/01/2006 10:30 Page 2

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successful working in culturally diverse teams

christmas 2005

The changing nature of Irish society and healthcare professionals – with increasedimmigration, diversity and mobility of society – challenges healthcare professionals in theirefforts to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate care.

Santa visits the children after the staff children'sannual Christmas mass.

Staff in a festive spirit while enjoying themselvesat the MUH staff Christmas party.

Healthcare professionals must embrace thosechallenges given the significant broadening ofcultural diversity in Ireland in recent years, interms of numbers of people and their nationaland ethnic origin.

This broadening of diversity is to be welcomedand has significantly added to the rich diversitythat has always existed in Ireland. The guidelineswithin the National framework: 'Planning forDiversity' aims to develop a more inclusive andintercultural society. It is essentially about creatingthe conditions for interaction, equality ofopportunity, understanding and respect. Inadopting this approach where healthcareprofessionals plan for and accommodate culturaldiversity, everyone will benefit from the process.

As part of the process of developing skills forworking in culturally diverse teams, a series ofeducation sessions were recently run for staff atMercy University Hospital. We hope to deliverfurther sessions in the springtime and encourageall staff to attend.

Factors for successfully working in diversecultural teams include:

� Understanding and accepting cultural differences.

� Awareness of language / pronunciation / slang / differing medical terminology.

� Developing policies and proceedures with an awareness of cultural diversities.

� Providing opportunities for development and skills-sharing.

� Involving newcomers in local life and making sure that this involvement is ongoing.

To be culturally competent doesn't mean that youare an authority on the values and beliefs of everysociety. What it means is – that you hold a deeprespect for cultural differences and are eager tolearn about other cultures.

Elizabeth Myers - Nurse Tutor, SpecialistCoordinator (Centre of Nurse Education)

what we measure, we can improve

Hygiene and cleaning is one of the most important challenges facing our Hospital in 2006.A whole raft of new standards and monitoring processes will be arriving imminently for usto implement; and our Chief Executive Officer, Pat Madden has asked me to lead andcoordinate this effort.

We have already set up a Hospital Hygiene andCleaning Working Group, which has developedan implementation plan and strategy to delivereven higher standards of cleaning and hygiene.This process will involve a considerable amountof work.

As you read this, we will be undertaking amajor baseline audit of cleaning and hygienestandards. A weekly monitoring process for allwards, clinical departments and public areaswill be initiated. What we measure, we canimprove! Follow-up external audits will occurfrom now on; and there will be two each year,with no prior notice given!

It is important to note that according to theresults of the first external audit, our Hospitalscored 78%, which was rated as ‘Fair’. Thisscoring level, however, was greatly influencedby the fact that much of the audit wasconcerned with hygienic practice and physical

condition of buildings – not cleaning. In fact,our cleaning scores were significantly higher. Arecent patient survey reported that 93% of ourpatients stated that they thought the Mercy’sstandards of cleaning were ‘good’ or ‘verygood’ – so we have a strong base to build on.

We will need to increase the frequencies ofcleaning in some areas and will need to devoteresources to improving the physical condition,storage facilities and space available in someparts of the Hospital. We have madeappropriate bids for the necessary resourcesand the Health Service Executive is expected tomake extra money available in 2006.

Nonetheless, we cannot be complacent. Therewill be an energetic drive for improved standardsthroughout this year and in the future.

Jim Corbett - Deputy Chief Executive Officer

relocationWe would like to inform staff thatPayroll (Salaries and Wages), Creditors,Supplies and the Finance Departmenthave moved to a new off-site location.

New Location: Crawford Business Park(opposite St Finbarr’s Cathedral)

If you have any difficulty finding the building,please contact any of the departments belowfor instructions. Please note that office hoursare 9 am to 5 pm.

Payroll queries that cannot be appropriatelydealt with over the phone can be dealt with bymaking an appointment to meet with one of thePayroll staff.

Accountants: 16339 / 16340 Creditors: 16330 / 16331 / 16332Director of Finance & Information: 16343Finance Officer: 16342Income Officer: 16341 Salaries: 16326 / 16327 / 16328Supplies Department: 16334 / 16335 /16336 / 16337 / 16338Wages: 16322 / 16324

Please Note: All calls to Crawford BusinessPark are charged local call rates – if possible,please use e-mail.

Mercy Times Jan 2006 23/01/2006 10:30 Page 3

times4

The second Perpetual Trophy ChallengeBenefit Match kicked off on the 26thNovember at the UCC Mardyke Arena.

The highly coveted trophy will be shared thisyear as both teams exhibited equally impressiveskill – and the referee made some verydiplomatic calls!

L-R: J.J. Cronin, Brian Riordan, Dr. Shahbaz Sheikhand Lee Murray.

Cheque presentation of €1,050 to Dr. ShahbazSheikh to aid victims of the earthquake affectingPakistan and Kashmir. The MUH PerpetualTrophy Challenge Match Committee wish tothank everyone who helped in the event andthose who supported their fundraising efforts.

perfect match

L-R: Team captains: J. J. Cronin and KieranCoughlan.

centre for gastroenterology

L-R: Richard Browne, Dr. Shahbaz Sheikh and Ann Casey.

Another cheque presentation of €1,508 wasmade to Dr. Shahbaz Sheikh in aid of theearthquake victims. The monies were collectedfrom fundraising efforts which took place in theHospital's main canteen and at O'Casey's Barin Ballyporeen, Co. Tipperary.

Our Capsule Endoscopy service is now established;and Mercy University Hospital is the only hospital inIreland providing this investigation. We now providethis service on a nationwide basis. During this test, asmall computerised camera, roughly the same size asa medication capsule, is swallowed and transmitsimages to a receiver carried on the patient’s waist line.The patient swallows the capsule in the morning, andthen returns to the Hospital in the evening when theinformation from the receiver is downloaded.This provides a video showing the entire small bowellining. While it was initially mainly used to detectbleeding in the small bowel, recent research in 2005has demonstrated that it has a variety of uses and it isenvisaged that this modality of investigation willbecome more widely used in the future. Thistechnique has revolutionised our understanding ofsmall bowel diseases.

The Mercy now also provides a supra regionalEndoscopic Ultrasound service. During this technique,an endoscope with an ultrasound probe is passedalong the upper gastrointestinal tract. This allowsexcellent imaging of the wall of the oesophagus,stomach and adjacent organs such as pancreas andbile duct. In the near future, the Mercy will establish aLinear Endoscopic Ultrasound service. This servicewould allow us to perform invasive techniques such aspancreatic biopsy, lymph node biopsy and cystdrainage, outside of the gastrointestinal tract. This willfacilitate more accurate staging of gastrointestinalcancers and the initiation of more appropriatetreatment. Mercy University Hospital is the only centreoutside of Dublin providing this service.

Mercy University Hospital has recently established adiagnostic and therapeutic ERCP service (EndoscopicRetrograde CholangioPancreatography). During ERCPthe bile ducts and pancreatic ducts are visualised andtherapeutic procedures such as stone removal or stent

insertion is performed. The Mercy provides a regionaltertiary referral ERCP service.

In 2005, there were 3,636 Endoscopic proceduresperformed at Mercy University Hospital.

An active Research Unit has also been established atthe Centre for Gastroenterology, with a full-timeResearch Registrar and other team members who arecurrently looking at the role of bacterial overgrowth inirritable bowel syndrome and the aetiology ofdiverticular disease. We are involved in multi-nationalstudies looking at non-ulcer dyspepsia, clostridiumdifficile and inflammatory bowel disease. Members ofthe Centre for Gastroenterology work closely inconjunction with our Surgical colleagues, ourdepartments of Histopathology and Microbiology, andthe Department of Medicine at University College Cork.

The Centre for Gastroenterology would like to expressits appreciation to our colleagues in the Hospital for alltheir support in 2005 and look forward to workingclosely with you in 2006.

Martin Buckley – Gastroenterologist

There have been many exciting developments at the Centre for Gastroenterology in 2005.

Some of the members of our dedicated Endoscopy team.

L-R: Mary Twohig, Dr. Martin Buckley and Ann Ryan.

Mercy Times Jan 2006 23/01/2006 10:30 Page 4

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John A. Murphy retirement functions

L-R: Helen Murphy, Sr. Laurentia, John A. Murphy,Sr. Felicitus, Sr. Concepta and Sr. Loretto.

L-R: John A. Murphy, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr.Deirdre Clune and Helen Murphy.

John A. Murphy

L-R: John A. Murphy and Des Murphy

L-R: Catherine Bennett and Aoife Board.

L-R: Hugo O'Connor and Seán O'Bulmáin.L-R: John A. Murphy and Patrick Madden.

L-R: John A. Murphy, Clare Horgan and Garry Lee.

23rd November 2005

Mr Pat Madden,

Chief Executive Officer,

Mercy University Hospital,

Grenville Place,

Cork

Dear Pat,

I wish to thank you and all the staff for the

beautiful gifts on the occasion of my retirement

from the Hospital. They were very much

appreciated by myself, Helen and the girls.

Please convey my thanks to the committee who

organised the party at the Hospital and dinner

at Maryborough House Hotel. I certainly got

a great send off and both events were enjoyed

by everyone.

May I also take this opportunity to wish you

and all the staff every success for the future.

Yours sincerely,

John Murphy

Mercy Times Jan 2006 23/01/2006 10:30 Page 5

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human resources department news

staff newsCongratulations and very best wishes tothe following staff members:

engagementsAnna Buckley – Nurse Practice Development

Suzanne Cronin – PCMargaret Egan – PC to Brendan Murray –PorteringDeclan Reidy – ICT

weddingsCarmel Carey – Emergency Dept.Claire Hynes – St. Catherine’s WardSara Mongon – Risk Management Simon Wood – Supplies

it’s a girlNiamh Heffernan – ICULinda Quinn – CateringKitty O’Neill – St. Catherine’s Ward

it’s a boySonya Lynch – St. Anne’s WardAngela Quinn – Catering

it’s twins Allan Meek – Laundry (a boy and a girl)

In each issue of the Mercy Times, we would like toinclude the names of staff members who recently:became engaged, got married, or welcomed a newaddition to their family. If you or one of yourcolleagues has staff news to share, please contact the Editor or any Editorial Committee member.

Despite our best efforts, there may be some omissionsdue to our inability to obtain timely approval.

October 2005

Mary Brosnan Staff NurseLouise Buckley Staff NurseFinola Casey Speech & Language TherapistNoel Connolly ICT Systems AdministratorJoan Hennessy Clerical OfficerDavid Olushola Radiographer

November 2005

Oyindamola Akingbade Ward AttendantMaria Clancy Staff NurseLorraine Condon Ward AttendantAlison Coughlan Ward AttendantEileen Cronin Ward AttendantCarol Doran Clerical OfficerMargaret Guiney Catering AssistantMary Hughes Clinical Placement Co-OrdinatorHazel Keogh Ward AttendantCaitriona Kiernan Ward AttendantMonica Kwas Ward AttendantMarian Lake Ward AttendantJeanette Lehane Ward AttendantKate Looney Ward AttendantAmanda Mafuka Ward AttendantJill Murphy Ward AttendantFrancis O’Keeffe Clerical OfficerDenise O’Neill Ward AttendantMajella O’Shea Ward AttendantPeesamma Samuel Staff NurseSuzanne Sexton Ward AttendantNoel Sweeney Ward Attendant

December 2005

Jedina Acbang Staff NurseGwendohlyn Alberto Staff NurseNerissa Angeles Staff NurseAnalyn Batac Staff NurseMiles Natividad Batore Staff NurseGrace Bontuyan Staff NurseLea Sheryl Calpase Staff NurseJocelyn Caumban Staff NurseAlma Cortado Staff NurseNathaniel De Asis Staff NurseDaisy De Jesus Staff Nurse

welcome new appointmentsWe wish to welcome the following staff, who recently joined Mercy University Hospital.

December 2005 – continued

Marvin De Jesus Staff NurseHerminia De Juan Staff NurseJessica Delos Reyes Staff NurseJuliana Delos Reyes Staff NurseZheena Delos Trinos Staff NurseKhodee Densing Staff NurseMaria Corazon De Vera Staff NurseSamuel Dimaandal Staff NurseJudy Domingo Staff NurseFloribeth Elacio Staff NurseMercy Espanol Staff NurseNora Espartero Staff NurseLoreta Estrada Staff NurseJocelyn Galias Staff NurseJansen Gallardo Staff NurseNisha Jose Staff NurseJennifer Landingin Staff NurseDiana Jean Leoro Staff NurseCynthia Lugo Staff NurseTeresite Mendinueto Staff NurseRacquel Mil Staff NurseAlan Miranda Staff NurseChristian Moreno Staff NurseKutty Nair Staff NurseBernadette Nalundasan Staff NurseJoshiva Nava Staff NurseKarren Nuguid Staff NurseAnnie Orato Staff NurseTesashelalonica Paras Staff NurseSini Paulose Staff NurseMethushella Pimentel Staff NurseIsmaelito Quijada Staff NurseCharmielyn Cruz Ramos Staff NurseDoris Remorozo Staff NurseCatherine Salenga Staff NurseHope Sanchez Staff NurseMellorine Santos Staff NurseGary Sesaldo Staff NurseShiju Kumar Sivan Staff NurseRomeo Tajanlangit Staff NurseEmma Taninas Staff NurseMaria Mia To Staff NurseMaria Unabia Staff NurseKaviya Varghese Staff NurseAileen Yanos Staff NurseAnna Liza Ybanez Staff NurseEden Ybarola Staff Nurse

consultant appointments

Welcome to the following Consultants who recentlyjoined Mercy University Hospital.

Dr. Gehad Elbastawisy Locum Consultant Anaesthetist

Dr. Louise Gibson Locum Consultant Paediatrician

Dr. Kieran O’Connor Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine

retirementsMercy University Hospital would like to thank thefollowing employees for their service throughout theyears and to wish them a long and happy retirement.

John A. Murphy Chief Executive OfficerSheila Murphy Senior Staff Nurse

MUH staff who have achieved their trainer certification status in Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Nonviolent CrisisIntervention Training, accompanied by Jim Corbett - Deputy CEO, Chris Sheehan - CPI Development Officer andMaria O'Keeffe - Administrative Assistant to CPI Committee.

Mercy Times Jan 2006 23/01/2006 10:30 Page 6

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mercy university hospitalas a health promoting hospitalWhat is a health promoting hospital? It is one in which health promotion is integral to theethos of the institution – its structure and culture – and the way in which it is managed. Thismay require adapting management structures and facilitating greater participation by staff.

‘Health Promoting Hospitals’ is a World HealthOrganisation (WHO) initiative, which was designedto improve health and environmental conditionsfor both staff and patients by implementing arange of health-promoting policies and activities.As one of the largest employers in Ireland, theHealth Service is ideally placed to promote healthin partnership with other sectors of thecommunity.

One of the strategic aims of the National HealthPromotion Strategy 2000-2005 was to encouragethe Health Service to become a health-promotingenvironment. The Irish National Health PromotingHospitals (HPH) Network was established; andMercy University Hospital’s Executive ManagementBoard (EMB) recently approved a proposal for theHospital to make an application to this Network.The Mercy is already engaged in many healthpromotion activities; and membership in theNetwork will allow it to benefit from being formallyidentified as a health promoting organisation.

The Health Promoting Hospital concept is muchmore than giving information or the provision ofhealth promotion activities. It is also aboutcorporate identity and organisational change thatfocuses on hospital systems and on the attitudesor ways in which health care workers andpractitioners carry out their work.

A health-promoting hospital aims to help all thepeople within its reach to achieve their highestpossible level of health and well-being. The HealthPromoting Hospitals concept and Network strive tofind a balance between health promotion, diseaseprevention and illness treatment for both patientsand staff.

What This Means for Staff – an opportunity to:

� Gain recognition for health promoting efforts and models of good practice, and aid in their transfer to other areas within MUH.

� Relay healthier messages to patients through the provision of information and advice on health issues.

� Build on teamwork and non-hierarchical stylesof communication between staff and betweenstaff and patients.

� Have a voice in how MUH services are organised.

� Participate in workplace health promotion programmes.

� Reduce rates of stress, injuries and illness.

� Participate in additional health promotion educational skills and training.

� Be employed by an organisation, which enables you and values your health and that of its patients.

� Benefit from improved quality and variety of food services.

� Improve morale.

� Have the authority and autonomy to empowerpatients.

� Cooperate and exchange experiences with other member hospitals.

� Expand recuperation and rehabilitation programmes for patients.

� Increase commitment to the advancement of quality health care.

� Improve relationships between MUH and the community which it serves.

� Acknowledge differences in value sets, needs and cultural conditions affecting individual andpopulation groups.

� Benefit from evaluation of health promotion activities (i.e. accreditation process).

� Receive healthier messages, work in a healthier environment and strive to be healthier overall.

What This Means for Patients – an opportunity to:� Experience enhanced quality patient

communication and care.

� Be empowered and encouraged to share the responsibility and decision-making in relation to their own health.

� Receive quality health promotion information regarding risk factors and high-risk behaviours.

� Participate in patient health promotion programmes (e.g. expanded recuperation and rehabilitation programmes).

� Experience an improved range of support.

� Enjoy improved quality and variety of foodservices.

� Experience a supportive, humane and stimulating environment within our Hospital (for long term / chronic patients).

Membership in the HPH Network will helpMercy University Hospital (MUH) to establish anew role and increased status. In order tosuccessfully operate as a Health PromotingHospital, however, there must be commitmentfrom all staff – and that means YOU -- acommitment to the idea of organisational andpersonal change. All of us can becomeinvolved in bringing in new and better ideas,which might impact on our own health or thatof our colleagues, patients or visitors.Thinking up creative ideas and devisingschemes to improve health for patients andstaff is essential, as is maintaining the qualityand standards of the services we offer.

I would like to express my appreciation for allefforts from MUH staff to date on existing andongoing health promotion projects. I hopethat you will join with me to work towards theformalisation of Mercy University Hospital as aHealth Promoting Hospital.

Mr. Patrick Madden - Chief Executive Officer

Mercy Times Jan 2006 23/01/2006 10:30 Page 7

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a tribute toNorma Watson

a lifetime spent on the private corridorSheila Murphy retired after 25 years of service as a StaffNurse on the Private Corridor.

She was an exceptional rolemodel for all staff. Patient carewas her priority, where kindnessand compassion were hallmarksof outstanding care.

We extend our good wishes toSheila for a long and happyretirement.

It was with great sadness that we learnedof the untimely passing of our dear friendand esteemed colleague Norma Watsonon September 28, 2005.

Norma began her employment with MercyUniversity Hospital in 1988 in the Accidentand Emergency Department, after returningfrom two years in Saudi Arabia. Previously,she had worked in the U.S. and in the NorthInfirmary, where she trained as aR.G.N.R.S.C.N. After a few years’ breakworking for the Cope Foundation, Normareturned to St. Anne’s Ward in the Mercywhere she excelled as a Paediatric StaffNurse. In the most recent past, Norma was avalued and dedicated member of theOutpatients Department.

This stunning lady lived her, all too short life,to the fullest. She was a highly organisedperson who checked her diary for a window tomeet with her countless friends. She had tobe organised, because if she wasn’t working,she was golfing in the Lee Valley, skiing downan Austrian piste, enjoying a European citybreak or on a golf weekend in Dingle.

One cannot think of this mischievous andmost charming person without a tear in oneeye, and a twinkle in the other. It has beenour pleasure to have known ‘Watson’ and tohave called her both a friend and a colleague.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam” (may sherest in peace).

On behalf of all the staff here at MercyUniversity Hospital, we extend our deepestsympathy to Norma’s beloved family. A Masswill be offered to remember Norma on Friday,3 February 2006 at 7:15 pm in the HospitalChapel. All are welcome.

Respectfully submitted by Sheila Connolly Sullivan and Eileen Kenny

Design: Dowling & Dowling Design Consultants Limited Tel:021 4821971

A group of excited children (patients at MUH during 2005) receiving a festive send-off from Patrick Madden - CEO.The children were on their way to meet Santa at the Bubblegum Club Christmas party in Fota.

Over the past twelve years or so, endoluminalstenting has been developed to a high degreeworldwide. This involves the insertion of atubular stent via the femoral arteries in thegroins to the dilated part of the aorta. The stentis released when in the correct position as seenon an X-ray monitor, and springs open to itspredetermined size. It thus attaches itself to thewall of the aorta above and below the dilatedsegment, excluding the aneurysm from thecirculation. As a result, open surgery on theabdomen is avoided and frail patients do muchbetter in general terms. Post-operative intensivecare is not required and many patients are fit togo home a few days after surgery.

The Aortic Aneurysm Stenting Programme

commenced at Mercy University Hospital in June2005; and to date, ten patients have had stentsinserted successfully. Procedures are carriedout in the operating theatre, and involve the useof imaging equipment to show the position ofthe stent within the patient’s body. The VascularSurgery and Radiology Departments haveworked together to establish this Programme,with the cooperation of the Anaesthetists andTheatre nurses.

With the increasing incidence of abdominalaortic aneurysms, it is projected that stentingwill be performed on approximately twentypatients annually in the near future.

Mr. Gerald McGreal, Consultant Surgeon / Vascular

endoluminal stenting for aneurysms of the aorta

Traditionally, open surgery to repair aneurysms of the aorta has been extremely successfuland is durable in the long term. It is, however, quite severe on patients and carries asignificant mortality risk even in the elective setting.

Mercy Times Jan 2006 23/01/2006 10:31 Page 8