Caru Newsletter – Autumn 2023
Like most of you, we cannot believe it is already nearing November, in which we will officially celebrate ONE YEAR of the Caru Programme!
The Caru team has worked non-stop in that time to bring you networks, workshops, and webinars, but there is still a lot to do… As we look to 2024, we consider the areas for improvement, change and growth, and we look forward to working with all of you again to accomplish these goals and objectives.
Until then, read about our upcoming 2023 events, and updates from each CHO area.
Upcoming Events
Regional Networks
Visit our Events page to register.
AIIHPC Webinars
The final webinar in the 2023 series will take place on Thursday, 23 November.
The topic is:
Preventing and Managing Palliative Care Emergencies and Making Timely Referrals to Specialist Palliative Care.
Updates from Your CHO Area
Our Regional Leads continue to deliver the four quality improvement workshops of the Caru Programme and we are delighted with the progress and commitment from all participating nursing homes.
These workshops are:
- Workshop 1: Supporting Staff Health & Wellbeing
- Workshop 2: Culture & Communication
- Workshop 3: Caru Review Process
- Workshop 4: Caru Review Process and its role in Change
Clodagh McGuinness in CHO1 has been very busy over the last few months with eleven nursing homes in Donegal completing the CARU programme.
Nine nursing homes in Sligo/Leitrim have started their Caru journey, and have three Workshops completed, while six nursing homes in Cavan/Monaghan have started the programme having now completed two of the four Workshops so far.
Regional Lead, Alison McMahon was delighted that Caru Groups in CHO9 completed Workshops 1, 2 and 3, with diverse participants from HCA, nursing and catering backgrounds representing nursing homes big and small!
CHO8 and 9 will be joining together later in October/November for a joint round in Ardee Co. Louth. Keep an eye on Caru.ie for these details.
The Project ECHO Knowledge Networks in partnership with St Francis Hospice in CHO9 has completed its initial ten-session programme. It will resume its meetings shortly following a short break and will continue on a quarterly basis. The network remains open to new applications, and the application form is available to download here
In CHO7, Regional Lead, Ann Marie Murphy completed workshops with Group 1 and 2 in Athy and Leixlip. Group 3 in Cherry Orchard commenced with Workshops 1 and 2 completed with five local nursing homes involved.
"Participants have shown great enthusiasm, having identified wonderful change projects leading to Quality Improvement Initiatives!"
The Project ECHO Knowledge Networks in partnership with Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services in CHO7 has completed its initial ten-session programme. It will resume its meetings shortly following a short break and will continue on a quarterly basis. The network remains open to new applications, and the application form is available to download here.
Meanwhile in CHO3, two rounds of Workshops were completed this quarter, with a third round commencing soon in North Tipperary.
"It's fantastic to be working alongside nursing home staff who are passionate about making a difference in relation to palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care for residents. The future is looking bright!"
As part of the Project ECHO Knowledge Networks in partnership with Milford Care Centre, an online information briefing for nursing homes in CHO3 was held on Tuesday, 19 September. The recording of this meeting can be watch via the button below. The application form for nursing homes wishing to join this network is available to download here.
In CHO4, the first fully-fledged Caru Facilitators completed their Workshop 4 in Cork City, with staff from Montenotte Care Choice, St Luke’s, Cobh Community Hospital and Powdermill Nursing Home all receiving their certs. With their Caru Groups up and running, the passion and enthusiasm was palatable as they headed back to their nursing homes to implement the Caru Review process.
Our current Kerry group is soon coming to the end of their workshop journey with Workshop 4 scheduled for early November in Killarney. The third group of participants commenced the Caru Programme in early October; five nursing homes are taking part and have so far completed Workshop 1 and 2.
The first round of Workshops were completed in Roscommon (CHO2) in early October. Twenty staff across four nursing homes completed the training to become Caru Facilitators. The next round of planned workshops will be in early 2024 in Ballina, Mayo.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Liz Jacques.
Project ECHO Knowledge Networks, also held an online information briefing for nursing homes in CHO2 on Wednesday, 27 September. If you missed this session you can watch a recording via the button below. The application form for nursing homes wishing to join this network is available to download here.
Five nursing homes in CHO6, completed Workshop 4 early this month, and the feedback from the participants has been very positive!
"The workshop was very informative and interesting. The most useful thing I will take away is confidence."
If you are in CHO6 and missed the Project ECHO Knowledge Networks online information briefing in partnership with Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services, you can watch the recording of this meeting via the button below. The application form for nursing homes wishing to join this network is available to download here.
Janet Tobin was thrilled that one of her Caru Groups from SignaCare, New Ross (CHO5) were nominated for a NHI award on 5th Nov for their presentation based on their participation in the Caru programme.
We send a heartfelt congratulations to all the Caru Groups that have successfully completed their workshops this year, and thank them for their participation.
Palliative Care Week in September was a busy time for Caru and all CHO areas.
Several Caru Groups from CHO5, including, St. Johns. Hospital, Enniscorthy (pictured) participated and took the opportunity to highlight the Caru Programme.
CHO7 Regional Lead, Ann Marie Murphy co-facilitated an education session with Lisa White, End of Life Co-Ordinator in Naas Hospital. Over 60 staff attended from both acute and nursing home setting.
CHO8 Regional Lead, Sharon O’Brien spoke at the IHF Webinar Palliative Care Week webinar about ‘Embracing The Future: A Conversation on the Different Levels of Palliative Care and Conversations with Loved Ones.’
If you missed this event, you can watch it back on the Irish Hospice Foundation website.
Caru was thrilled to be invited to present, or host a stand at several conferences this year, including Nursing Home Ireland Conference, Beaumont Palliative Care Study Day, and Sligo Palliative Care Conference.
Pictured above: Karen Charnley, Director, AIIHPC, Siobhan Murphy, Director of Healthcare at IHF, Miriam Ahern, Project Manager for Nursing Home Education, AIIHPC, Paula O’Reilly, CEO, IHF and Janet Tobin-Martin, Caru Regional Lead, CHO 5, at the Caru stand at Nursing Home Ireland Conference in Kilkenny.
In reference to their academic poster presentation at Sligo Palliative Care Conference, Caru National Programme Manager, Sheena Murphy said:
"We were delighted to present our Caru poster along with a stand at the National Palliative Care Conference in Sligo this month. It was fantastic to see the interest generated."
We look forward to spreading the word about the Caru Programme at more conferences like this in 2024.