Highlights from Hospice Friendly Hospitals Progress Reports (From Acute Hospital Network, June 2014) [AHN 23]

1. For further information or local hospital contacts please call
the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme office on 01 67 30068
Implementing the Quality Standards for End-of-Life Care
Highlights from hospital progress reports. May 2014
The physical environment of HFH hospitals:
 On March 12th
, Fashion Designer Louise Kennedy formally opened UHL Nenagh Hospitals completed family
room. This room has since been used several times by families.
 Beaumount Hospital are continuing to put in place the finishing touches to their mortuary which reopened
for public use in early February 2014. These include planting & landscaping, a focal art piece and a
decorative cover for their ritual washing sink.
 Connolly Hospital, Blanchardtown are working on upgrading the garden which is adjoining their family
counselling and bereavement rooms.
 Ennis Hospital have completed a family room while another is currently under construction.
 The Mater Hospital continue to develop facilities for patients and families. They have seen an increase in
the number of ward areas which have expressed an interest in enhancing their physical environment by
replicating that which they have seen can be achieved from the examples in other areas of their hospital.
Governance and structures in HFH hospitals:
 Ennis Hospital are developing a Statement of Practice (SOP) for funeral directors when collecting a person’s
remains.
 UL Hospitals are now putting into practice their ‘Care of patients when death is imminent and after death’
policy.
 The Standing Committee of the Mater hospital set up a working group to assess their compliance against the
HSE Standards and Recommended Practices for Post Mortem Examination Services. They found that they
were in line with the Standards and have developed a new information leaflet to explain the Corners Post
Mortem process for bereaved families.
 South Tipperary General Hospital are adapting the National Post Mortem Consent form for use locally.

2. For further information or local hospital contacts please call
the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme office on 01 67 30068
End-of-life care hospital awareness:
 During the month of March, Beaumont Hospital ran a two part screen saver on all PC’s across the hospital.
This drew the attention of staff to the End-of-Life symbol and the other End-of-Life resources available (see
images above)
 Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown newly appointed End of Life Care Coordinator carried out an end-of-life
resource audit in each unit and this has increased the awareness of the resources available.
 Ennis Hospital successfully ran an End of Life Awareness Week 28-30th April 2014. Over 100 staff members
attended from all disciplines and across the Mid West group. Talks included ‘Community Services’, ‘Care of
the Dying Patient’ and a ‘Communication Workshop’.
 Ennis Hospital also developed prayer and reflection booklets for use on ward altars, they plan to have
these rolled out across the UL Hospital Group.
 The Hermitage Medical Clinic are running weekly teaching sessions with their palliative care consultant.
 St John’s Hospital in Limerick who recently joined the HFH Network have purchased and are rolling out the
use of the End-of-Life Resources such as the ward altar, family hand over bag, chin support and drape.
Thank you to the following hospitals who submitted a progress report for the June 2014 HFH Network meeting:
Beaumont Hospital
Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown
Ennis Hospital
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Hermitage Medical Clinic, Dublin
South Tipperary General Hospital
University Hospital Limerick, Nenagh Hospital