Highlighting the Hard Work of Our Caru Groups
In this blog post we have combined the updates from the Caru Workshops that have taken place since our last newsletter in March, and some of the Caru Group Spotlights. Read on to find out about all the work that has taken place around the country in just a short few months.
Caru Workshops
In CHO2, the second round of Workshops was completed in Ballinasloe, Galway. We were delighted to see such outstanding commitment and active participation from all attendees. The level of engagement, shared insights, and meaningful contributions truly reflected the dedication and passion of everyone involved.
Meanwhile, Regional Lead, Sarah McDonald began the first round of Workshops with a new Group at the beautiful SCCUL Sanctuary in Oranmore. This serene and welcoming setting has provided an ideal environment for learning, reflection, and professional development.
Two rounds of Caru Workshops were successfully completed this quarter, in twelve nursing homes across Co Clare and North Tipperary (CHO3). Participants from various roles, including HCA’s, staff nurses, reception staff, Directors of Nursing, and Clinical Nurse Managers, all had the privilege of engaging in meaningful discussions and practical learning around palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care in relation to nursing home residents and their families.
Some of the topics included strategies to manage stress at home and in the workplace, the importance of advance care planning, managing sensitive conversations with residents and families around death and dying, the levels of palliative care, and culture and communication in the workplace and its impact on the delivery of care. Participants were also immersed in the practicality of completing staff reflections one month post a residents death, and how to follow up with a family bereavement questionnaire three months post a loved one’s death.
Feedback from staff was overwhelmingly positive with many expressing how the training helped them to feel more confident and equipped in their roles.
Two full rounds of Caru Quality Improvement Workshops wrapped up in May in CHO5 with great energy and enthusiasm. Group 6 included eight fantastic nursing homes consisting of 30 participants, and Group 7 brought together 25 dedicated staff from Virtue Care Group across the CHO 5 region. In total, 55 new Caru Leads are now ready to return to their organisations armed with new skills and confidence to facilitate Death Reflections, establish Caru Groups, and inspire positive change within their organisations.
Workshop 3 in Carlow with Group 6 was especially exciting, as Caru went international! We were thrilled to welcome two student nurses from the Netherlands for the Workshop. Both students were on a 16-week internship at Beechwood Nursing Home. Their global perspectives added an enriching dynamic to the discussions on the day.
The learning and support don’t stop when the workshops end! Janet Tobin, Regional Lead for CHO5, continues to walk alongside Caru Leads and Groups, offering dedicated follow-up support after the completion of the Caru Quality Improvement Workshops.
Together, they reflected on each team’s inspiring progress since completing the Caru Quality Improvement Workshops. These ongoing sessions provide a vital space for teams to:
- Reflect on early wins and challenges in embedding the Caru Review Process
- Share updates on change projects in action
- Document and evaluate progress to drive meaningful, lasting improvements in palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care
Recent weeks have seen support visits to meet with Caru Leads and ADON Ann Keyes in Oakfield Nursing Home, Gorey and Waterford Residential Care Centre Caru Leads, and ADON Alison Ahearne.
Another series of Caru Workshops was recently completed in Dundalk, marking a significant milestone in CHO8. With over 40 nursing homes now trained across the region — and several nursing homes choosing to retrain larger staff groups — the impact continues to grow.
Nursing homes that invest in wider team participation are seeing even stronger outcomes, with staff reporting greater confidence and connection in delivering person-centred end-of-life care.
CHO9 has been very busy with Workshops too, as Regional Lead, Alison McMahon prepares to be in house with the largest nursing home in the area — Carechoice Malahide Road. Congratulations to the 18 new leads there!
In April, the mixed Group, hosted in IHF, finished their Workshop 4. Alison welcomed back Edell Mason from The Residence Santry to this Workshop, who originally completed Workshops in 2023. Edell shared her experience as a Caru Lead with the newly trained Group, being honest about the challenges but also the real difference it has made for her and her residents.
Caru is more than a training – it brings a feelgood factor, with staff feeling truly valued, seen, and supported through their involvement. These Workshops continue to be a vital space for collaborative learning, reflection, and the strengthening of palliative and end-of-life care practices. Workshops explore key elements including Advanced Care Planning, levels of palliative care, the Palliative Care Needs Assessment (PCNA), and strengthening communication with residents, families, and colleagues during difficult conversations.
Recruitment for Workshops is ongoing, so please contact your Regional Lead for more information.
Spotlight on Our Caru Groups
Every Caru Newsletter we try to focus on some of the incredible projects, awards, and achievements that our Caru Groups around the country are taking part in/spearheading in their nursing homes and organisations. Here are just some from the last few months – well done to all the Groups on this fantastic work!
St. Joseph’s Community Unit, Trim Wins Nursing Home of the Year Award
Congratulations to St. Joseph’s Community Unit in Trim (CHO8), proud winners of the Nursing Home / Residential Care Home of the Year award! This well-deserved recognition reflects the team’s ongoing commitment to excellence in care.
Their Caru team continues to lead enthusiastically on Quality Improvement Initiatives, with a strong focus on enhancing palliative care, end-of-life, and bereavement care. Looking ahead, they have a full week of activities planned for Palliative Care Week in September – a testament to their dedication to keep improving the experience for residents, families, and staff alike.
Sunhill Nursing Home Launches 2025 Bereavement Support Pack
In May 2025, Sunhill Nursing Home in Termonfeckin (CHO8), launched their Quality Improvement Initiative for the year – the “What to Do Next” Bereavement Pack. This sensitive and practical resource is now offered to all families following the death of a loved-one, providing clear guidance and compassionate support to help navigate the days, weeks, and months ahead.
This important initiative was developed by General Manager, Elaine Moloney and Person in Charge, Susan McCullen, in collaboration with the Caru Group. It reflects a deep commitment to supporting families through one of life’s most difficult times and ensuring that no one feels alone or unsure of what to do next.
Carlingford Nursing Home Celebrates First DAISY Awards
On Tuesday, 17th June 2025, Carlingford Nursing Home held its inaugural DAISY Awards ceremony – a special event recognising the extraordinary care delivered by nurses every day.
Congratulations to Lijo Jose and Reshma Sebastian, who received awards for their exemplary work and dedication to residents and families. This milestone marks a proud moment, as the Evergreen Group becomes the first nursing home group in Ireland to roll out the DAISY Awards programme.
Carlingford Nursing Home recently completed the Caru QI Workshops, and already Niraj Domah, Person in Charge, and Reshma Sebastian, CNM, are actively embedding Caru practices into daily life — a powerful example of values in action.
St Carthage’s House, Lismore – Leading with Compassion and Courage
A huge congratulations to the incredible team at St Carthage’s House, Lismore (CHO5), who continue to lead with heart, integrity, and dedication in their delivery of the Caru Programme. With the support from their enthusiastic Caru Leads, and committed Caru Group, the team recently hosted an inspiring education session focused on the importance of advanced healthcare directives.
Janet Tobin Martin, Regional Lead for CHO5, said:
"It was a joy to witness — a warm, honest, and engaging conversation between staff and residents about wishes, preferences, and planning ahead."
These discussions, often difficult to start, are essential in ensuring that every resident’s voice is heard — especially during times when they may not be able to speak for themselves.
St Carthage’s House is currently amid a thoughtful and empowering change initiative that places resident dignity and person-centred care at its core. Their work reflects the spirit of the Think Ahead document, creating space for meaningful, compassionate conversations around end-of-life care and future planning.
The energy, innovation, and care demonstrated by the team at St Carthage’s is truly something special and Inspiring to witness the culture of respect and empathy they continue to nurture every day.
Grace Healthcare Group Launch the Caru Programme
Grace Healthcare (CHO9), have 10 nursing homes around the country, with 8 of these already up and running with trained Caru Groups.
On the 4th of June in Tara Winthrop Nursing Home, representatives from all ten Grace Healthcare nursing homes came together to launch the Caru Programme and reaffirm their commitment to providing good quality end-of-life, palliative, and bereavement care. After hearing from DON Sanju Varghese, Regional Lead, Alison gave an overview of what staff learn at Caru events and training. The staff from each nursing home then took part in a candle lighting ceremony and heard further words of encouragement and support. Residents and families in attendance got to ask questions and were the keenest to start conversations about grief and bereavement.
