MACROOM COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

 

Respite Care:

The patients who avail of this service come to the hospital through the public health nurses referral. The intention of respite care is to provide the family/carer of the individual with support by relieving them of their role for a period of time which is usually for two weeks.

The Matron, with the Assistant Director of Public Health organise to accommodate these patients. Patients are usually admitted on Friday morning and discharged on a Thursday.

"The ethos of respite care is to provide the family/carer with a break"

Convalescent Care:

Patients coming from the acute hospitals, who require convalescent for a period of time, usually two weeks, use these beds. The continuing care placement co-ordinator will assess these patients in the acute setting as regards their suitability to come to the hospital. Matron will agree to accept these patients for a period of time.

Patients from the community avail of these beds when the demand for the acute hospital is not there. Matron will liaise with the public health nurses, G.P’s and the continuing care placement co-ordinator as to who needs support in this area. Matron will accommodate the patients identified as far as possible.

Palliative Care:

A request for a bed for terminally ill patient/palliative care patient may come from G.P., continuing care placement co-ordinator, Marymount Hospice or the acute hospital.

This patient is taken into the hospital following a decision by the Matron and the continuing care placement co-ordinator.

Continuing Care:

Aim to provide care to the patient who is no longer able to live at home.