Facilitating a Growing Community Appetite to Understand and Engage in Advanced Care Planning Conversations.
In our previous newsletter, we had some incredible updates from the team, and this edition is no different.
Regional Lead for CHO5, Janet Tobin-Martin was invited to Southeast Technological University (SETU) to present to second-year nursing students. The session offered an overview of the Caru Programme and explored the vital role of communication skills within the context of advanced care planning.
Janet was welcomed by a large group of vibrant, inquisitive, and highly engaged students who brought thoughtful perspectives and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. These young students represent the future of healthcare—practitioners who will recognise the importance of seamless communication, regardless of whether care is delivered in an acute setting, a nursing home, or a patient’s own home.
Engaging with young healthcare learners not only strengthens their understanding of compassionate, person-centred communication, but also helps cultivate future practitioners who are confident, informed, and prepared to support patients and families through important healthcare decisions.
In CHO6, advance care planning sessions were held at Ashford House and Sugarloaf Nursing Homes in November and December, providing valuable insights for staff on this important topic. These sessions are essential in ensuring that residents’ preferences are understood and respected, offering peace of mind for families and improving care outcomes. We strongly encourage nursing homes to participate in future sessions, as advance care planning is key to delivering person-centred care and fostering meaningful conversations around end-of-life choices.
The momentum of training in advanced care planning continued in CHO8 in November with a dedicated session in Esker Ri Nursing Home. The event attracted fifty-five attendees — thirty-two of which were residents, as well as ten family members, and thirteen staff members. These sessions received a Net Promoter Score of ten, with several residents getting an opportunity to speak openly about their own personal experiences of advanced care planning.
Regional Lead from CHO8, Sharon O’Brien, received an invite from Dr. Mary Doolin from the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) to contribute to an “Ask the Experts” event in Tullamore on 17 November. She joined a panel discussing awareness of advanced care planning with active age and retirement groups. The positivity and openness shown by attendees reflected a growing community appetite to understand and engage in these conversations.
In CHO5, Janet Tobin-Martin meet with the Kildare and West Wicklow Community Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialists to deliver a comprehensive presentation on the Caru Programme.
A particular focus was placed on the communication practices within the nursing homes—an area central to enhancing person-centred, compassionate care. This collaboration will be key to further strengthening the knowledge, confidence, and skills of nursing home staff.
Finally, in CHO7, Regional Lead, Sarah McDonald was delighted to present to thirty-eight postgraduate gerontology nursing students at St James’s Hospital. The session explored the Caru model, the importance of advance care planning, and how empowering all staff disciplines directly enhances the care provided to residents. The discussion also highlighted how this education supports families during important decisions and strengthens teamwork across the multidisciplinary team. Sarah was thrilled to have been invited back to present again in 2026.