Caru Programme Update: Building Capacity and Enhancing Compassionate Care
The continued expansion of the Caru programme across nursing homes reflects a strong and growing commitment to improving palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care. Through workshops, local initiatives, and ongoing staff engagement, organisations are strengthening their capacity to deliver compassionate, person-centred care. Recent developments highlight both the scale of participation and the quality of innovation emerging across regions.
Programme Activity and Regional Progress
Aras Mhic Suibhne Nursing Home made a strong start to its workshop journey by hosting a Grief Awareness stand in January 2026. This initiative provided valuable information to staff and families while also increasing awareness among residents. Building on this momentum, Caru Leads organised a formal programme launch on 21 March. The event was well attended by residents, families, and staff, and generated clear interest in enhancing care practices within the home.
Across the wider region, four nursing homes in County Cavan and two in Donegal Town completed their workshops at the end of 2025. In Letterkenny, five additional nursing homes joined the programme in March 2026, marking the beginning of their Caru journey within CHO1.
In County Galway, eleven nursing homes completed the workshop series in Ballyglunin and Ballinasloe. Seven of these homes are new to the programme and have now begun the Caru Review Process within their organisations. Feedback from participants has been highly positive, with one Director of Nursing noting the value of continuous learning and the practical application of quality improvement methods such as Plan, Do, Study, Act.
Further expansion is underway. Four nursing homes in north Mayo are currently participating in workshops, while seven additional homes are scheduled to begin training in Galway City in May.
I really enjoyed your training sessions and learned so much from them. Even though we have lots of experience in end-of-life care there is always something new to learn. I am delighted that I did the training as I now understand and support our team, as we begin to implement the Caru programme - and we have already begun evaluation our changes using “Plan, Do, Study, Act”. You were a wonderful facilitator Liz and made the session enjoyable.
Strengthening Quality Improvement in CHO5
In the south-east region, Caru Quality Improvement Workshops brought together 37 staff from 12 nursing homes across CHO5. Hosted at the Hoban Hotel, the sessions focused on sharing best practice and driving improvements in care delivery.
Participants demonstrated strong engagement, with a clear emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. Interactive learning methods, including group challenges and communication exercises, supported both skill development and peer learning. Staff have now returned to their organisations as Caru Leads, equipped to embed the Caru Review Process and strengthen care practices within their teams.
Staff Development and Engagement
Staff from Aisling House, Carnew Nursing Home, and Fern Dean Stepaside recently completed workshops, with a total of 32 participants. Feedback indicates increased confidence in delivering high-quality palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care.
In parallel, demand for Advance Care Planning training has grown significantly. Since the beginning of the year, seven nursing homes have engaged in online sessions, with 51 staff participating.
Tymon North has demonstrated sustained commitment by facilitating a second round of Caru workshops for new staff. This approach ensures that core values such as communication, empathy, and relational care are embedded early in staff development, strengthening team cohesion and enhancing the resident experience.
Similarly, staff at St Vincent’s have completed a second round of training. This continued engagement reflects a clear commitment to maintaining high standards of care and supporting both residents and families through complex care needs.
Embedding Human Rights in Practice
An innovative initiative led by Celine Gibbons within the catering team at Tymon North Nursing Home is advancing the integration of the FREDA principles—Fairness, Respect, Equality, Dignity, and Autonomy—into the dining experience. Recognising the importance of mealtimes in residents’ daily lives, this work focuses on creating an environment that is inclusive, respectful, and empowering.
Key elements of the initiative include promoting resident choice, supporting dignity in service delivery, ensuring accessibility, and strengthening staff awareness of a human rights-based approach. The project is currently being piloted within the nursing home’s dining environment, with the potential for wider implementation across other settings if successful. It represents a practical example of how rights-based principles can be embedded into everyday care.
Learning Through Collaboration and Innovation
At Clondalkin Lodge, staff recently participated in the Marshmallow Challenge, a team-based learning activity designed to strengthen communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. The exercise encouraged creative problem-solving while highlighting the importance of teamwork and adaptability in practice.
The activity also reinforced a key message: strong foundations are essential to achieving meaningful and sustainable outcomes. This directly reflects the ongoing work to embed Caru principles within the organisation, where investment in training and team development supports the delivery of high-quality palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care.
Carechoice has also demonstrated a strong commitment to professional development by completing three in-house Caru workshops. These sessions facilitated in-depth discussion on care practices and encouraged reflective learning, contributing to a strengthened culture of compassionate, person-centred care.
Looking Ahead
The first Caru group of 2026 has now completed training under the revised workshop format, with St Joseph’s Care Centre leading delivery in CHO8. Additional groups are currently in progress, with further sessions planned in the coming months.
Efforts are now focused on achieving full programme coverage across CHO8 by the end of the year. Looking ahead to 2027, the emphasis will shift towards sustaining the Caru legacy and evaluating programme impact.
Across all regions, the Caru programme continues to build momentum through education, collaboration, and innovation. The consistent engagement of staff, the introduction of new initiatives, and the focus on translating learning into practice demonstrate a shared commitment to high-quality, compassionate care. These developments position participating organisations to deliver meaningful improvements in the experiences of residents, families, and staff alike.