Every death is unique and every death, even when it is expected, is deeply emotional. At Naas General Hospital, we are committed to making sure that patients who die in our hospital experience comfort and dignity. Our End of Life Care Coordinator, Lisa White, works to ensure that good quality compassionate end-of-life care is central to Naas General Hospital.

Hospice Friendly Hospital

We aim to put in place the Hospice Friendly Hospital’s quality standards for end-of-life Care in hospitals.

The Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme was created by the Irish Hospice Foundation in partnership with the HSE. It aims to make end-of-life, palliative, and bereavement care a core part of hospital services.

The programme helps us to improve this care through staff education, training, audits and research.

We are improving the environment for our patients and their families. There are dedicated family-friendly rooms on our wards. These spaces ensure the dignity and welfare of the dying person. It provides a space to share sensitive information, and brings comfort to loved ones.

The Final Journeys Programme

This is a one-day workshop for staff. It empowers staff to be competent and compassionate when dealing with patients and families at the end of life.

Our Solas Rooms

2013 saw the completion and opening of three Solas Rooms dedicated to end-of-life care. The Solas rooms provide tranquil surroundings to care for our patients with privacy, dignity and respect.

These rooms are places of peace and sanctuary. They allow patients and their families to have precious moments together in their final days. The Solas rooms were kindly funded by the ‘Friends of Naas Hospital’.

Resources

Dying

• When someone you care about is dying in hospital

This online booklet was published by the HSE. It provides information and advice for families going through a challenging and emotional time. It complements the approach of our staff as they support and assist families.

Bereavement

• Patient Information Leaflet - What Happens Next When Someone Close Dies

A leaflet published by our hospital that provides some practical information and advice following a death.

• hse.ie

This HSE webpage provides information on bereavement support services. It also provides advice on coping with grief after bereavement or loss and how to support others

• Bereaved.ie

A website that provides advice and information for bereaved people.

• Bereavement - When someone close dies

A booklet published by the HSE. It provides information about grieving and includes contact details for bereavement support services.

• Let's Talk about End-of-Life Care

Children

• Think Adult Think Child Booklet

• Always in my heart

A book for children about grieving.

• Finding your way through grief

For teenagers and young adults. In this booklet some young people speak about what helped them in their grief. We hope this will help you understand how grief can affect us and what can help.

• The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network

A website that provides information for people caring for/working with bereaved children and young people.

Other Useful Information

• Citizens Information

A website that has helpful practical information following a death. Including: registering a death, bereavement counselling, support services, estates / money matters after death and unexpected deaths.