Spotlight on Our Caru Groups
When a nursing home completes the Caru Programme, you might be thinking, what’s next? Well, our Regional Leads stay in touch with their CHO areas, checking in regularly about how the programme is progressing.
Some of the areas we love to receive feedback on are the Quality Improvement Initiatives (QII) that each Caru Group introduces into their organisation. Below, you can read more about some of the QIIs already introduced this year.
Multi-Faith Room, Royal Hospital Donnybrook
The idea of creating a Multi-Faith Room (MFR) in Royal Hospital Donnybrook began as a recognition of the diverse spiritual needs of patients, residents, staff, and visitors. As the hospital serves individuals from various backgrounds, it became clear that there was a need for a dedicated, peaceful space where individuals could meditate, reflect, and find comfort or solace in a peaceful setting regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs.
The overarching inspiration was the hospital’s commitment to holistic care—caring not only for the physical needs of patients but also for their emotional and spiritual well-being. The MFR symbolises compassion and respect for the diverse beliefs of all those who come through the hospital’s doors. By creating a space where all faiths are acknowledged and respected, the hospital aims to foster a sense of belonging, dignity, and peace for everyone, regardless of their background.
The design of the Multi-Faith Room was driven by the need for a tranquil and flexible environment. The space was created to accommodate the practices of different faiths while maintaining a neutral and calming atmosphere.
Key elements included:
- Neutral Colours & Natural Lighting
Soft, neutral tones were chosen to create a calm and inviting environment. Large windows allowed natural light to flood the space, contributing to a sense of peace. - Sacred Items for Different Faiths
Items that represent various religious, holy books, including prayer mats, candles and a shoe rack ensuring that it could be used by people of different spiritual practices, are kept safely. - Comfortable Seating
The room is designed to be flexible, with seating arrangements that allow for both individual reflection and family group gatherings. - Quiet Ambiance
Silence encourages a reflective atmosphere, helping users to focus and connect with their reflection and contemplation.
The vision for the Multi-Faith Room is to create a sense of belonging and make employees feel valued and respected for who they are, moreover it will foster a positive atmosphere, boosting morale and job satisfaction.
The Multi-Faith Room is expected to play an integral role in the hospital’s ongoing commitment to compassionate care.
“The Memory of Thought Jar”, St. John’s Community Hospital, Sligo
An end-of-life project was recently launched in St. John’s Community Hospital. “The Memory of Thought Jar”, along with the photo of the deceased resident is displayed in the nurses’ station.
Staff, residents, or any visitors who have known the resident, are welcomed to share their thoughts and memories by writing them down on a small, coloured piece of paper and placing it in the jar, and this will be given to the family as a simple gesture in honouring and remembering their loved ones.
A questionnaire is also given to the family following weeks of bereavement and will be contacted if they are interested in participating. Their participation is helpful to improve the care rendered by the staff.
Anyone who is willing and would love to join our group is very welcome! Together...we can continue our journey in improving our End-of-Life Care and Compassion for our residents.
Memory Chats, Virginia Community Health Centre, Cavan
Virginia Community Health Centre in Cavan have been doing amazing work in their nursing home since completing their Caru Workshops early last year.
They have started a wonderful initiative after a resident dies in their organisation where they bring all staff and residents together to remember the resident that has died, called a Memory Chat.
Residents and staff have been very vocal during these sessions and it has provided a space for everyone in the nursing home to remember and grieve for the resident who has died. There has been very positive feedback from all involved. The Virginia Caru team have also created crochet hearts for families after their loved one has died, and grow and dry their own lavender to create lavender bags to place at the residents bedside when they are at end of life. They also hosted a stand during bereavement week which was very well received by all staff and families who attended on the day.
Caru "Plan of Action", Dungarvan and Dunabbey Hospital, Carlow
In CHO5, Regional Leads, Janet Tobin Martin, had the pleasure of meeting with the incredible Caru Group in Dungarvan and Dunabbey Hospital.
Their commitment to enhancing care quality and compassion is nothing short of inspiring! Some standout initiatives from units within Dungarvan and Dunabbey include, a framed Caru poster, proudly showcasing their dedication to Caru Principles, a thoughtful bereavement information leaflet to support residents and families, a Caru Notice Board, clearly identifying levels of palliative care and their crucial roles within them, a Grief Awareness Week display, highlighting the Bereavement Support Line for staff, residents, and loved ones, and a Caru “Plan of Action” document to support how the team will embed the Caru Principles into the unit by identifying Caru Champions, outlining timelines and evaluation.
Abbeygale House, Farnogue Residential, Wexford
Abbeygale House, Farnogue Residential, Wexford, continue to receive support as they embed the Caru Review Process within their organisation.
Caru Leads Catherine, Gwen, John-Paul, and Laura reflected on their hard work to promote Caru into Abbeygale House.
Caru Leads, Catherine and Gwen delivered a clear and engaging education session, inspiring staff to join the Caru Group and support their ongoing quality improvement projects. They also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of starting advanced care planning conversations with residents, families, and loved-ones as early as possible, emphasising how these sensitive conversations are everyone’s business.
Bereavement Support Memory Box, Mount Carmel Nursing Home, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Mount Carmel Nursing Home have just recently developed their own bereavement support memory box for families after a loved one has died.
They recognised the importance of follow-up support for family members in their bereavement journey.
They used the information leaflets from Irish Hospice Foundation’s Bereavement Support Line, and booklets of memories gathered from the Thoughts Jar from residents and staff.
Tree-Planting Ceremony, St. Josephs Community Unit, Trim
Sharon O’Brien, Regional Lead for CHO8, completed a post-Workshop visit to St. Josephs Community Nursing Unit, in Trim in February.
Sharon was invited as part of a special remembrance occasion in memory of colleagues who had died in recent years. Families were invited to attend a tree-planting ceremony and a candle lighting ceremony in their memory. The families were so happy to be invited and included and were so appreciative of this day.
Trim CNU have a very strong Caru Group and are planning great educational sessions to update staff on how Caru will impact their nursing home. Marieanne, Rivanee, Deepthi, Ann Marie, and Bindhu are supported by CNM Jobi and ADON Ambily Jose and their DON Silin Joseph. They have started their Caru Reflections and are also in the process of naming a family room – a space for families to stay or have a break when they are with their loved ones at end-of-life – a beautiful tranquil space.
They have combined their Caru and Meitheal Groups which gives them a strong foundation to reflect on change projects and Quality Improvement Initiatives.
St. Josephs Community Nursing Unit, Trim have been shortlisted for the Irish Health Care Awards 2025, for their Trim Caru Solace Group Initiative.