The Corkman

Equipment purchased through Banteer Family Fun Walk now in place in Mercy University Hospital

- DENIS WITHERS

TWO laryngosco­pes and five bedside care trolleys purchased for the Mercy University Hospital through funds raised by the Banteer Family Fun Walk are now in place in the ICU.

The Banteer Family Fun Walk, which took place on January 2 in 2017, in memory of the late Pat Murphy RIP, raised €18,713.80 for the purchase of this new equipment.

The family fun walk was organised by Pat’s wife, Eileen, along with his family and friends and Banteer Lyre GAA Clubs. Pat passed away at the Mercy Hospital on Sunday, May 29, 2016, so it was fitting that funds raised go to the Mercy.

Two laryngosco­pes were purchased with funds raised through the walk. Dr. Donall O’Croinin, Consultant Anaestheti­st at the Mercy University Hospital, said: “People who are having surgery or who are critically ill may need to be have a breathing tube put into their trachea (windpipe). There are some people in whom it is very difficult to get the breathing tube into the correct position. The new laryngosco­pes are potentiall­y lifesaving pieces of equipment that will help me and my colleagues to deliver the best standards of care possible for our patients”

The money raised was also used to purchase the five bedside care trolleys that will be used at the point of delivery of care in the ICU, replacing trolleys which are no longer fit for purpose. Funds raised enabled the ICU to purchase a unit with a specificat­ion that will allow all a patient’s bedside needs to be met at the bed space.

Speaking about the new trolleys, Elaine Hanna, CNM2 ICU at the Mercy University Hospital, said: “The ICU environmen­t can be challengin­g for families and patients and so it is important that we have a space to store personal belongings such as gowns, slippers and their own personal toiletries, so that when we start to mobilise and rehabilita­te the patient we have everything they need to hand.

“In addition, an essential need is the increased efficiency within the department, as when an emergency occurs, lifesaving equipment is readily available at the bed space in these high spec trollies.”

Eileen Murphy recently visited the ICU Unit in The Mercy to see the new equipment in situ. Micheál Sheridan, CEO of the Mercy Hospital Foundation said: “Our mission is to inspire people to support advancemen­ts in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University Hospital, the People’s Hospital. This is only possible through the help of supporters and donors like Eileen, and Pat’s family, friends and supporters from Banteer Lyre GAA Clubs that stepped out on January 2, honouring Pat’s memory.”

 ??  ?? Eileen Murphy at the Mercy University Hospital with ICU staff.
Eileen Murphy at the Mercy University Hospital with ICU staff.

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