Caru Workshops 2024: More Done, More To Come!
Since our last Newsletter in July, the Caru team has made significant progress in enhancing palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care across the country. Caru Leads have played a pivotal role in embedding the Caru ethos into their respective organisations, driving impactful changes in care quality leading to quality improvement.
In CHO5, a total of thirty-one nursing homes have engaged with the Caru Programme, with 141 dedicated staff members actively participating. This level of involvement reflects a strong commitment to improving the quality of care.
Caru Leads in Group 4 from eight nursing homes in the Waterford region completed all four Caru Quality Improvement Workshops. Sincere thanks are extended to Waterford Residential Care Centre for hosting these sessions and providing refreshments.
On September 5th, Round 5 of the Caru Quality Improvement Workshops commenced hosted by Dungarvan Community Hospital, with full enrolment and enthusiastic participants in attendance.
Meanwhile in CHO9, the Swords Group finished Workshop 4, and have already started running reflections!
Another round commenced on 11th September, with staff from seven nursing homes attending. Delighted as always to see a great mix of staff in this group – including two head receptionists!
In CHO3, Group 5 Workshops commenced on the 27th of August in the Hospital of Assumption, Thurles, Co Tipperary. This group of six nursing homes demonstrated great enthusiasm in leaning about palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care for residents and families within their organisation. It was also an opportunity to gain an understanding on the importance about having conversations with residents about advance care planning for the future.
Meanwhile our Caru Group in Donegal (CHO1) completed their last Caru Workshop on 4th September.
We also have two new Groups commencing their Workshops at present in Monaghan and Cavan, consisting of eight nursing homes and forty-five participants!
In CHO2, Workshops begun in Claremorris, co Mayo on Thursday 19th September with seven local nursing homes participating from Claremorris and surrounding areas.
The Group have already shown to be enthusiastic about their role working with residents in the nursing home and participating in the Caru Programme.
In Cork City, a new group of nursing homes started their Caru journey in September, coming together in North Ridge House Education and Research Centre for the beginning of their Caru Workshops.
Nursing homes have made the trip from all over Cork, including Care Choice Clonakility, Bandon Community Hospital, Havenbay Nursing Home from West Cork, Ballincurrig Nursing Home from East Cork, Windmill Nursing Home from Churchtown in North Cork, Beaumont Residential Care, and Curam Care Carrigaline, all getting involved. Cois Abhainn Residential Centre from Youghal have also made the short journey over the Waterford border to Dungarvan to be part of the new CHO5 group.
In CHO8, Autumn Caru Workshops restarted in Simonstown Gaels GAA Club in Navan on September 18th, with twenty-four staff participating from eight Meath nursing homes. The follow-up meetings for the Caru Workshops in this CHO area have been very positive, with continued interest in developing new initiatives. Laurel Lodge Nursing Home in Longford have introduced an excellent Bereavement Support Information System in each unit. This initiative has benefited from contributions by CNMs who attended Caru in 2023/2024.
They have also created a beautiful keychain remembrance token as part of the program.
Upcoming Workshops - Save the Date!
Recruitment for all workshops is ongoing, and we encourage all interested staff to get involved and take advantage of this opportunity for professional growth and development.
- Workshops for CHO7 will commence in November. Due to demand, a Workshop combination between three CHO’s is commencing in October. Contact Sarah McDonald for more info.
- CHO5 recruitment will bring new Workshops to the Carlow/Kilkenny region in February 2025, and interested staff are encouraged to participate. Contact Janet Tobin-Martin if you are interested.
- CHO9 dates for 2025 will be set in the coming months, but it’s never too early to register interest. Contact Alison McMahon.
- The next series of Workshops in CHO6 will begin in October 2024. A few spots are still available, so if you’re interested in participating, please contact Mary Ferns.
Is your CHO area not here? Contact your Regional Lead to find out more.
