A&E family rooms become ‘calm and dignified’ spaces
By Mary Dennehy
THE family rooms in Tallaght Hospital’s A&E department have been completely refurbished and transformed into “calm and dignified” spaces for a patient’s next of kin during a difficult time.
The staff of the local emergency department approached the Adelaide Health Foundation for support in redeveloping the two family rooms and the corridor they are located on, and was awarded €12,000 for the project.
Based at Tallaght Hospital, the Adelaide Health Foundation is a voluntary independent charitable organisation which seeks to advance healthcare that is “centred upon dignity” and provides “equal access” to quality healthcare.
According to Triona Murphy, board member of the Adelaide Health Foundation, the €12,000 was used for a total refurbishment and redesign of the area – which, now called the Rosheen Suite, included new floors, paintwork, comfortable furniture, tea- and coffee-making facilities, blinds, curtains, plants and more.
“The old rooms were very unfriendly and were run down and dingy,” Ms Murphy said.
“The staff felt terrible bringing families into these rooms at a time when they required comfort, so they asked the foundation for funding and we were delighted to be able to provide it and support the project.
“It’s now a calm and dignified space for doctors and nurses to bring families to.”
The Art Foundation in Tallaght Hospital also donated some beautiful photographs of nearby scenic spots, which now hang on the corridor leading to the Rosheen suite and the walls of the family rooms.
According to Tallaght Hospital: “These rooms provide a quiet space for our patient’s next of kin at a difficult stage in the journey of care they take with us.
“Thank you to the staff in the Arts Office, Pastoral Care, Facilities Management and the emergency department that put so much effort into the project.”
The hospital also wished to thank the Hospice Friendly Hospital’s Initiative, which worked with the hospital in designing the new family spaces.
The initiative, run by the Irish Hospice Foundation, is also working with Tallaght Hospital on planned upgrades to its viewing room.
