Latest news with #LouthCountyHospital
Irish Independent
01-08-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Three Louth hospitals awarded prestigious international nursing accreditation
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (Drogheda), Louth County Hospital (Dundalk), and the Cottage Community Hospital (Dunleer) have been awarded the Pathway to Excellence® accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) - a global benchmark in recognising healthcare organisations that foster positive practice environments for nurses. The accreditation reflects the hospitals' commitment to creating inclusive, supportive, and collaborative workplaces, with an emphasis on staff well-being, shared decision-making, and professional development, all of which directly contribute to improved patient care. Adrian Cleary, Director of Nursing, said: 'The Pathway to Excellence® designation will put us on the global map as a positive and inclusive place to practice nursing. This recognition supports better outcomes for our patients through nursing excellence and ensures we continue to attract and retain the very best nurses.' The journey to accreditation was rigorous. Over the past 12 months, Louth's nursing team, many of whom had participated in the EU Magnet4Europe research programme compiled a 700-page evidence-based submission and participated in a comprehensive staff survey. The survey achieved an exceptional 85% response rate. The Pathway to Excellence® framework outlines six core standards for a high-quality nursing environment: Shared Decision-Making, Leadership, Safety, Quality, Well-being, and Professional Development. Patrick Clerkin, Integrated Healthcare Manager for Louth/Meath, said: 'This recognition highlights how we continually strive to improve patient care and uphold the highest standards of safety and quality. It also helps us to identify improvements needed to ensure the best experience for both staff and patients.' The accreditation not only elevates the profile of nursing in Louth but also supports a long-term vision of building resilient, highly skilled, and motivated teams across all healthcare settings in the region. The ANCC's Pathway to Excellence® programme is considered the premier international designation for healthy work environments in healthcare, positively impacting staff retention, job satisfaction, safety standards, and patient experience.
Irish Independent
23-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Louth suicide prevention groups concerned at ‘worrying spike' in tragic deaths
'We have noticed a worrying spike in the number of suicides in the county over the last month and we want to let people know that we are here to help,' says Mark Gordan PRO of SAFE Castlebellingham, a mental health and suicide prevention charity set up following the deaths of two young brothers in 2021. The community rallied together to provide a free confidential service so that people in crisis could avail of support services. Now, in response to a concerning number of deaths by suicide, the charity have erected two large billboards, one in Dundalk and one in Drogheda, with the message 'Your story isn't over: give it until tomorrow' and details of how to contact their services. Mark himself knows how suicide may seem as a solution to people who are in a dark place. In 2015, with a failed business and bailiffs taking away his son's xBox, he ended up 'in the tide at Annagassan with a bellyful of whiskey'. 'Little did I know that the tide was going out so I ended up in the muck and clamoured back up the rocks and went home.' 'I wish that this organisation that we have now was there ten years ago,' he says of SAFE Castlebellingham. Mark has turned his life around and he and a group of other locals in the mid-Louth area want others who are despairing to be able to do the same. 'We have erected the posters at Hill Street Bridge in Dundalk and at at Georges Square in Drogheda where Lower Mell meets the Bridge Of Peace, as well as digital signs at Junction 20 on the motorway and at Ballymascanlon and across from the Louth County Hospital, sponsored by the Byrne family and Niall Clarke Oils.' The message is simple – if people reach out to them and other support services such as SOSAD and Pieta, they will be listened to. 'We are not blaming anyone. We believe we are a positive story. We're a group of concerned citizens sitting in a room and saying we have this problem and what can we do to solve it.' 'We decided to so something to stop the devastation caused by suicide in the county.' SAFE Castlebellingham offers a confidential helpline that people can ring. 'It can be the person themselves or their family, their friends, their mates, their Mum, Dad, brother, sister, son, daughter. They can ring and say they are worried about someone who is in a bad place and we can tell them how to support that person. We will provide that counselling and we will pay for it.' The helpline is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week and staffed by volunteers who are specially trained to deal with people with suicidal inclination. 'We don't miss calls and we talk to people in a sympathetic and empathetic way and tell them what we can do to help them. We have three qualified counsellors on our panel who can provide support until they access other services. What we are doing is providing a buffer to make sure that people aren't lost. Suicide doesn't do appointments and when people are in a bad place, we are ready and will to help people. We give them the space to hold on. We want them to take a breath, to step back and le t people help them.' 'We want people to get help, to reach out so that we can help them when they need support and not next week.' People who are contemplating suicide do so out of desperation as they feel that the pain of carrying on living is too great, he says. There can be signs that they are contemplating taking their own lives. 'Sometimes people will joke that things would be better if they weren't there. They might give away belongings, their record collection, jewellery or other things that were precious to them. And they might seem to be in good form but the reality is that they have made a plan to end their lives and as they see it their problems.' Mark urges people to reach out to their loved ones and to ask if they are okay. The stark reality is that men of all ages are more at risk of dying from suicide than women. '75pc of suicides are male, ' says Mark. 'Three times as many women will attempt suicide but only 25pc will complete it.' He believes that it's women's ability to talk and share problems with friends that help them, while men are much less likely to talk about their problems. In a bid to reach out to men, SAFE Castlebellingham are rolling out a number of initiatives to engage with men of all ages. They have linked up with Jenny Coyle Meehan to provide YOGA for men, with a class this Thursday July 24 in at Muirhevnamor Community Centre in Dundalk, with booking at 087 186 5959. There are also plans to host events in settings where they can reach out to farmers who are a vulnerable group. In Dundalk, Maxi's Law is another group born out of tragedy – in this case the death of the hugely popular and well-known character Maxi Mark Kavanagh. The group are calling for a change in the legislation so that anyone who presents seeking treatment for mental health issues at a HSE facility receives immediate support, and that if this can't be provided in the public system, that the state should cover the cost of treatment in the private system. 'This is about ensuring that no one is left waiting simply because they can't pay. It's a fight for equality and fair access to mental health services for all.' They are now calling on the public to email their elected TD's urging them to support their demands.
Irish Independent
11-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Urgent call for blood donors this summer
The shortage has raised concerns at local hospitals including Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda and Louth County Hospital in Dundalk, where pressure is mounting ahead of the busy autumn period. The IBTS has warned that unless the national stock is replenished quickly, non-urgent surgeries could be postponed. Director of Donor Services at the IBTS, Paul McKinney, said the service needs an additional 2,000 donations over the next month to stabilise the supply. He pointed to summer holidays, heatwaves, and reduced donor clinic attendance as key factors behind the current dip. McKinney also encouraged more donors from diverse backgrounds to come forward, particularly individuals of African heritage, whose donations are essential for treating conditions like sickle-cell disease. In Louth, there is a long-standing tradition of blood donation, and one local man, Brendan Kelly from Dundalk, was recently honoured for his contribution. A painter and decorator by trade, Mr Kelly has donated blood over 100 times and was awarded the Porcelain Pelican Award earlier this year at the North-East Donor Awards in Navan. 'I donate because I can,' he said. 'If just one pint helps someone in need, then it's worth it.' The IBTS is encouraging people from all parts of the county to attend their nearest clinic, with appointments available throughout July and August. Donors must be aged between 18 and 64, weigh over 50kg, and meet standard health requirements. The process typically takes under an hour, and each donation can help save up to three lives. Local organisers and health officials are urging first-time donors to step up and regular donors to continue giving through the summer months. With blood stocks at dangerously low levels, the message is simple: Louth needs donors now more than ever.
