MEMORIAL BENCH
CO WESTMEATH HOSPITAL UNVEILS MEMORIAL AT BELVEDERE PARK Mullingar Regional Hospital marked Remembrance Month in a unique way, with the unveiling of a memorial bench in Belvedere House Gardens and Park.
Christine McDonnell, Katherine Kenny, Fr Phil Gaffney, Emma O'Sullivan, Kay Slevin, Marie Corbett, Rev Alastair Graham, Barry Lucy, and Eilish O'Connell at the memorial bench.
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he memorial bench overlooks the lake in the park. Belvedere House Gardens and Park have also kindly arranged to plant a tree beside the bench. Emma O’Sullivan, Bereavement Nurse Specialist, in Mullingar Hospital said, “The past 18 months or two years have been incredibly hard on families who have lost loved ones. People have been unable to mourn in a traditional way. We hope this bench will signify to the community that the staff of Mullingar Hospital are always thinking of those who have died in the hospital. Plus, we hope this beautiful location will allow people the space and connection with nature which can be so helpful when grieving.” Members of hospital management, clinical staff and local clergy met to unveil the bench and there was a tree planting ceremony. They were joined by Barry Lucy and members of his family, who will represent all bereaved families. They will honour the memory of their parents Sean and Clare (RIP). Barry said, “This bench is a physical reminder to all of us who have lost someone that the doctors, nurses and staff at Mullingar Regional Hospital care deeply for the welfare of their patients and that the work they do is more than just a job to them. I can never adequately express my family's gratitude for the dignity and consideration with which they treated my parents in their last days.” Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Regional Hospital Mullingar hosted remembrance services for all bereaved families. These services brought great comfort to families and staff alike. This memorial bench is the hospital’s way of reaching out to the community and letting all those who are bereaved know that they, and their loved ones who have died, are in our thoughts.
MY HEALTH, MY LANGUAGE
COVID-19 vaccine multilingual audio visual messaging Throughout 2021, a number of HSE Doctors, Nurses and healthcare colleagues supported the production of multilingual audio visual messaging about the COVID-19 vaccine in 12 languages. These colleagues gave of their time, while working through a pandemic to present videos in their first language aimed at reaching people in migrant communities in Ireland. The videos were commissioned by the National Social Inclusion office in partnership with HSE Communications, HSE National Immunisation Office, Irish College of General Practitioners and Translate Ireland as part of a project called ‘My Health, my language’. The HSE added the videos in a number of key languages to help share the messaging about the COVID-19 vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy. These videos and up to date information on the COVID-19 vaccine, are available on the HSE YouTube channel. In 2022, a range of short videos highlighting key healthcare messages will be launched and available in multiple languages for HSE staff to share with service users.
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