March 2016
Friends Contribute €242,000 to St Gabriel’s Paediatric Ward
Thanks to a generous bequest from Mr Herbert Amon, Friends of Wexford General Hospital have contributed €242,514 towards the extensive refurbishment of St Gabriel’s Paediatric Ward.
With this funding the children’s ward is now a vibrant, fully equipped, modern, purpose built ward for its new occupants.
With our thanks to Mr. Amon, Friends of Wexford General Hospital were able to provide essential functional equipment for the ward. This included more modern bed head trunking complete with medical gases and services. Medical gases will now be available at each bed and will be piped through the wards, no longer being supplied on separate appliances or based on cylinder provision. Extra electrical works enables each patient to control their own lighting at their bed.
Additional decorative finishes were also completed with part contribution to the installation of suspended ceilings, floor replacement and a paint refresh throughout the ward making it bright and modern. Alteration to the nurse base, clean utilities and kitchen areas will also enhance staff, family and patient comforts.
Friends of Wexford General Hospital would like to sincerely thank Mr. Amon and his family for his generous contribution to the hospital, making this important upgrade possible.
March 2015
Friends of Wexford General Hospital
Purchase vital equipment for Theatre and ICU
Friends of Wexford General Hospital on behalf of the people of Co. Wexford has purchased much needed equipment for use in Theatre and ICU at Wexford General Hospital.
The purchase of the Olympus Endoscopy Stacking System replaces an obsolete unit that could no longer be serviced or repaired. The new system enables physicians at the hospital to have mobile Endoscopy imaging both in theatre and I.C.U. This is particularly helpful in situations where a patient may be bleeding and requires medical intervention under general anaesthesia. It also enables the anaesthetic team to provide emergency endoscopic interventions in theatre and I.C.U.
Ciaran Sheridan, Chairman, Friends of Wexford General Hospital says “All of the purchases made are in keeping with our philosophy of enhancing patient care. Without the generosity of everyone who contributes to fund raising events, donations of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible. Friends are delighted to contribute equipment costing almost €76,875 knowing that patients are receiving best in class treatment and care.” He also added “The need for funds have never been so acute. Fund raising is a continuous process. We are delighted to support any fund raising initiatives on behalf of Friends. We have a range of support materials available. Simply log on to www.friendsofwexfordhospital.ie for more information and ideas on how you can help your local hospital”.
November 2014
Diabetes – A Growing Problem – FREE Health information talk.
10,000 people in County Wexford are affected by diabetes. These range from infants with type 1 diabetes to 80 year olds with type 2 diabetes. The problem is growing, because type 2 diabetes has a direct link to obesity and lifestyle.
People are living with diabetes, and to provide some information to those people and for family and friends, the local Charity “Friends of Wexford General Hospital” together with the Wexford Hospital are presenting a public talk on “Living with Diabetes” at 7pm on Monday Dec 1st 2014.
The talk is being presented by Dr. Obada Yousif Consultant Endocrinologist in Wexford Hospital.
Diabetes is a very survivable ailment, but mismanaged can be a very disabling and can be a killer if ignored. This talk is by an expert and is provided free, if you or a relative or friend are affected, please come along and learn some facts about diabetes
If you have any interest, please come along and bring a friend.
Monday Dec 1st at 7.00pm – Wexford General Hospital – Staff Canteen
October 2014
Are you, a friend or a family member affected by dementia?
Do you know someone that is?
Understanding Dementia – a talk by Medical Consultant Michael Riordan.
Free for all to attend, this event is brought to you by the local Charity Friends of Wexford General Hospital in conjunction with the consultants, management and staff of Wexford General Hospital.
This talk is being held on Monday November 3rd at 7.00pm in the Hospital’s Staff Canteen. [provide basic directions for print]
Dementia affects over 42,000 people in Ireland, and approximately 1,300 people in Wexford and South Wicklow. But it impacts many more people than those diagnosed. It can have a devastating effect on immediate and extended family, creates challenges for health care workers, and even retailers and service-providers need to understand how to manage, with dignity, customers suffering from dementia.
If you have any interest, please come along and bring a friend.
Monday November 3rd at 7.00pm – Wexford General Hospital – Staff Canteen
The winter series of Health Information evenings
Starting in November 2014 and running monthly thereafter, the winter series of Health Information evenings will cover a range of subjects, including:
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Mental Health
- Bowel cancers
Ciarán Sheridan, Chairman of Friends of Wexford General Hospital, says these are just some of the problems people encounter on a daily basis. Our aim is to bring useful knowledge and information to anyone interested in learning more. With the generous participation of the consultants involved, and of hospital management, this event can be provided free to the public. We aim to run a talk in November, December, January and February, and will review it thereafter, subject to demand.
Founding Chairman Retires after 7 years service on Board of Friends of Wexford General Hospital
September 2014: Friends of Wexford General Hospital was established in 2006 to co-ordinate the fundraising efforts and to build the Oncology Day Care Unit at Wexford General Hospital. This mammoth fund raising event was founded and chaired by Mr Liam Dwyer. Following the huge fundraising effort, the organisation received charitable status with Mr Dwyer as Chairman, a position he held from 2006-2013.
Following his 7 year tenure as Chairman, Mr Dwyer has decided to step down his position in line with the code of practice developed by Mr Dwyer and the board of Friends of Wexford General Hospital. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr Dwyer remained serving on the Board for an additional year. During his time as Chairman, Friends of Wexford General Hospital operated as fully integrated charitable organisation with representatives from the hospital and the main town; Gorey, Enniscorthy, Bunclody, New Ross and Wexford. Along with the building of the Oncology Day Care Centre Mr Dwyer has overseen the purchase of significant equipment for the hospital. Most recently the purchase of the CAT scanner at a cost of €680,000.
In addition to his role as Chairman, Mr Dwyer is also a member of the Wexford General Hospital Community Alliance, a lobbying committee formed specifically to liaise with government ministers to maintain the services available at the hospital resulting in the retention of A&E services at the hospital.
Speaking about his time as Chairman, Mr Dwyer said that he thoroughly enjoyed his involvement with Friends of Wexford General Hospital. He said that he was fortunate to work with a great team of committed and like minded people whose sole purpose was to provide the best care possible to the people of County Wexford and South County Wicklow. He would like to thank the general public, the management and staff of Wexford General Hospital, communities, businesses in County Wexford and South County Wicklow and his colleagues at South East Radio for all of their support and generosity to Wexford General Hospital during his time there.
Lily Byrnes General Manager, Wexford General Hospital said Mr Dwyer played a pivotal role in forming Friends of Wexford General Hospital and under his stewardship the hospital received much needed funding for essential diagnostic equipment to benefit patient care. He worked closely with the hospital to ensure that the moneys raised by the public were spent on equipment that would deliver best in class care to Wexford General Hospital patients. Ms Byrnes said that she would like to thank him for his energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the hospital and for working with them during the handover period.
Ciaran Sheridan has been appointed as Chairman. Mr Dwyer would like to wish incoming Chairman Ciaran Sheridan every success in his new role and would like to thank the board for their support, encouragement and loyalty over his 7 year term. Mr Dwyer believes that Wexford General Hospital has a bright and positive future ahead and it will be an exciting and opportunistic time to fundraise to improve and enhance patient care.
Mr Sheridan joined the Board of Friends of Wexford General Hospital in 2012. Speaking about his appointment, Mr Sheridan says that he is “Humbled and honoured to take up the mantle of an established charity, one that is proactive in their commitment to enhance the services of Wexford General Hospital for the good of all in County Wexford ad South County Wicklow” He would like to thank Mr Dwyer for the excellent work done in his time as Chairman.
April 2014
Friends of Wexford General Hospital on behalf of the people of Co. Wexford has purchased much needed equipment for infant care and maternity units at Wexford General Hospital.
A new infant ventilator purchased to replace a 15 year old decommissioned ventilator, is now fully operational at the hospital. A second infant ventilator received an upgrade as a fully functioning back- up to the primary ventilator. The ventilators provide high frequency ventilation to neonates and premature babies at a total cost of €37,651.
In addition to the infant ventilators, 2 new infant foetal monitors were purchased. These replace 2 decommissioned monitors as replacement parts were no longer available. Friends were delighted to purchase 2 new foetal monitors to ensure that mothers and baby are continually monitored during delivery at a cost of €33,886.
Speaking about both purchases Margaret Curran Director of Nursing, Wexford General Hospital says “Infant ventilators are critical in keeping neonatal and premature babies alive. The foetal monitors are required in every delivery room to monitor the well being of mother and baby throughout delivery. We are very grateful to Friends of Wexford General Hospital for both of these important donations to the infant unit”
New equipment was also purchased to help establish the Hysteroscopy Clinic as part of the Midwifery Services offered by Wexford General Hospital. The purchase of Hysteroscopes allows procedures to be undertaken in the Colposcopy clinic which heretofore required a general anaesthetic and took place in general operating theatres. “This innovative procedure will alleviate the theatre lists of approximately 250 women per year, not to mention reduce pressure on theatre space, the need for pre-assessment, day care admission and a reduced need for medical and nursing personnel” says Dr Con Murphy, Obstetric Lead at Wexford General Hospital. The total cost of this purchase was €88,240.
Ciaran Sheridan, Chairman, Friends of Wexford General Hospital says “All of the purchases made are in keeping with our philosophy of enhancing patient care. Without the generosity of everyone who contributes to fund raising events, donations of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible. Friends are delighted to contribute equipment costing almost €160,000 knowing that patients are receiving best in class diagnosis, treatment and care.” He also added “The need for funds have never been so acute. Fund raising is a continuous process. We are delighted to support any fund raising initiatives on behalf of Friends. We have a range of support materials available. Simply log on to www.friendsofwexfordhospital.ie for more information and ideas on how you can help your local hospital”.
November 2012
The National Cancer Control Programme has recently accredited Wexford General Hospital as a screening centre for the colorectal cancer screening programme which is to start in 2013. The facilities and standards required to facilitate this programme has been supported by the Friends of Wexford General Hospital donating approximately €20,000 to the screening programme..
Colorectal cancer affects about 2200 people every year inIreland. It is the second most common cancer in both women and men as a cause of death and has a five year survival of about 55%. One of the most important determinants of improved survival is earlier detection and with this in mind the colorectal cancer screening programme will target men and women aged 55 – 74. The programme will be implemented in a phased basis starting with men and women aged 60 – 69 in 2013 and expanded over time until the full 55 – 74 age group is reached.
The development of a screening programme is a complex process and will involve inviting all individuals within the target population to take part. Those who wish to take part will be sent a screening kit called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). This test looks for the presence of blood in the bowel motion. This simple test will include simple step by step instructions and can be self-administered at home and returned by post to the test centre. It is expected that approximately 6% of patients will test positive who will then require an additional test. These individuals will be then be offered a screening telescope test of the bowel called a colonoscopy. Wexford is one of the hospitals contracted by the National Cancer Control Programme to provide this test. Colonoscopy involves examination of the bowel under sedation. In many cases precancerous polyps can be removed at the time of colonoscopy and no further treatment is required. If cancers are diagnosed patients will require further investigation and discussion regarding the various treatment options which include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Wexford General Hospital had to undergo a rigorous assessment process to achieve accreditation from the National Cancer Control Programme to become a colorectal cancer screening centre. This involved an extensive training process to demonstrate that appropriate high standards were met within the endoscopy department where colonoscopies are carried out. In addition, facilities within the joint endoscopy department in Wexford General Hospital and Ely Hospital were upgraded to a required standard as required by the National Cancer Control Programme. The facility upgrade required to improve patient comfort and privacy in Wexford General Hospital has been funded by the Friends of Wexford General Hospital and has been a vital support allowing this programme to commence.
Credit is due to the hospital administration and nursing and medical personnel for the huge work gone into bringing this cancer screening programme to fruition and we wish Wexford General Hospital every success as this new service is offered to patients within the region.
17th October 2012.
A project team was set up in Wexford General Hospital with the aim of improving patient experience and patient flow through the Emergency department. The recommendations of the project team are now in place. Friends of Wexford General Hospital, through the generous donations from the people of County Wexford, funded the changes made to the Emergency Department.
The changes have resulted in meeting over 80% of admission times, directly improving patient care. This means that patients wait less time to be seen and treated or discharged.
Commenting on the changes Rebecca Pierce, Nurse Manager Surgical Directorate says “This streamlining of the service was achieved by redesigning how patients were cared for during their time in ED. This change in service delivery was agreed in consultation with all members of the multidisciplinary team within ED. Some restructuring works were conducted to the existing facility to incorporate a designated ED reception check in, a Triage room, and division of treatment areas into minor and major injuries”
In addition she says “The changes have resulted in shorter waiting times for minor injuries and appropriate spaces being made available for patients with more complex symptoms, thus improving our ability to provide the most appropriate care to our patients in the most appropriate setting. We have consulted with patients attending ED with very positive feedback”
Liam Dwyer, Chairman Friends of Wexford General Hospital says “Friends of Wexford General Hospital work closely with the Management team at Wexford General Hospital to highlight areas where the donations made by the people of County Wexford are put to best use to improve patient care. The project cost €25,000 and the results have been very positive”
March 14th 2012
Friends of Wexford General Hospital are delighted to donate two new bronchoscopes and a new colonoscope to the Endoscopy Department at Wexford General Hospital, funded by the generous donations of the people of County Wexford.
The bronchoscope is a flexible camera that can be inserted into a person’s air-way to give an accurate view of what is happening. Last year Wexford General Hospital carried out 210 of these procedures mainly as day cases. As the cleaning and sterilization of these endoscopes is vigorous they wear out over time. The two new ones replaced a 7yr and a 9yr old scope.
The colonoscope is used to diagnose bowel disorders including cancers. Like the bronchoscope, it can take photographs and samples as well as examine the bowel all at the same time. In 2011, 1,439 colonoscopies occurred at Wexford General Hospital. The new Colonoscope replaced a 7 year old instrument.
Commenting on the recent donation by Friends of Wexford General Hospital, Patricia Stack CNM Theatre/Endoscopy at Wexford General Hospital said “We in endoscopy were delighted to receive two new bronchoscopes as this instrument is invaluable in diagnosing all types of lung/air-way problems including lung cancers. Not alone can we see through it, we can photograph with it. This is a highly complex piece of equipment which can be used on a sedated patient in a relatively safe manner by an experienced practitioner. The colonoscope, as well as being a diagnostic tool allows us to perform certain procedures within the bowel area thereby avoiding the need to operate. Most of the colonoscopies are carried out as day procedures. These procedures range from haemmorhoid treatment to polyp removal”
“Friends of Wexford General Hospital are delighted to fund the purchase of 3 valuable pieces of equipment that will provide vital diagnosis of the respiratory and bowel areas for years to come. The purchase cost of € 135 would not of been possible without the continued generosity of the people of County Wexford” said Liam Dwyer Chairman of Friends of Wexford General Hospital.