Compassion of Tallaght University Hospital staff is hailed
By Mary Dennehy
THE compassion and commitment of staff at Tallaght University Hospital has been hailed, following a feature-length RTE Investigates documentary that aired on Tuesday night.
As Covid-19 cases peaked in January, RTE Investigates filmed in Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), and recorded the experiences of staff, patients and their families as the third wave hit.
Tallaght University Hospital staff on RTE Investigates
As with all major hospitals across the country, the documentary captured the relentless pressure staff are under, and their ongoing efforts to care for patients admitted with Covid-19.
The strain on staff and the weight of difficult decisions made was evident, as nurses and doctors spoke to camera from behind their PPE.
Despite the barrier of PPE, the relationship between staff and patients was moving, as nurses and the Pastoral team provide a listening ear or a hand to hold when families can not.
This comfort and companionship to patients is admirable, a true showing of humanity despite the stress and exhaustion a year into the pandemic.
An image of staff in the RTE Investigates documentary
Speaking with The Echo, TUH Chaplain John Kelly, who featured in the documentary, said: “I hope people see that Tallaght University Hospital cares for its community with a great closeness, tenderness and compassion.
“The acts of kindness from the community over recent months also needs to be highlighted.
“The communtiy has given so much to the hospital, and we appreciate that.”
Speaking with The Echo the morning after the documentary aired, Richie O’Reilly, the Vice Chair of the Tallaght Hospital action Group (THAG), expressed thanks to all at the local hospital.
Living in Springfield, Richie, who has been a member of THAG since 1991, said: “I’m sitting here having a cup of tea and thinking about what’s going on a couple of hundred yards away.
“After watching Tallaght University Hospital on RTE, I would like to say how lucky we the people of Tallaght are to have such amazing people working in our hospital.
“The pressure all of the staff are under and yet, they still make time for very sick patients to talk to their familiies at home.
“Words cannot describe how great our heroes working in the hospital are.
“So, may I on behalf of all the people in Tallaght and beyond say a huge thanks to all of the staff in Tallaght University Hospital.
“Tallaght is proud of all of you…we support you and are with you in spirit.”
The Irish Hospice Foundation runs a bereavement support line in partnership with the HSE.
If you would like to speak with someone, call 1800 80 70 77 between 10 and 1pm, Monday to Friday.
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