Overview

In 2009 The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Theatre Department received a grant from The Mater Foundation to refurbish the Theatre Conference Room and upgrade the educational facilities. This has been of great benefit to the department as we now have the facility to hold staff teaching/education sessions on site using power point presentation. The conference room is where all theatre meetings take place and all visitors coming to the department are greeted and met. Therefore the refurbishment of the room has greatly enhanced the theatre suite. Many thanks to the Mater Foundation.

Eithne Hallinan - Assistant Director of Nursing, Theatre Department

The new patio/play area has greatly enhanced the children's daily routine. It has increased our play area space by approximately a quarter. It is used continuously throughout the day and is much loved by the children and staff alike. We had our annual HSE Pre School Services inspection last week and the inspectors were very impressed with the new area that was funded by The Mater Foundation.

Without the money received from The Mater Foundation Suantraí would have been unable to fund a project such as the new play/patio area and therefore wouldn't have been fully meeting the children's daily developmental needs.

Finally, we hope to apply for the NCNA's 'Centre of Excellence' in the near future and without this play/patio area we wouldn't have been able to even contemplate applying for this accreditation award.

Julie Winget - Crèche Manager

In 2009, with the aid of a grant from The Mater Foundation, we were able to upgrade the Phlebotomy Department to provide a cleaner, brighter and better environment for both patients and staff, including install a proper air exchange system.  This has had fantastic results and improved the movement of patients through the department.

Staff were involved in the design for each workstation, which is now able to hold all equipment required for the venepuncture procedure.  This has resulted in a much-improved stock management system as well as office space for the two Senior Phlebotomists.

The Phlebotomists have had many positive comments from the patients on the improved environment and there has been a very positive impact on the morale of the staff, who are truly delighted with the upgraded work environment.

Pauline McGrath - Laboratory Manager

When the Dorset Street Clinic opened in 2008, an Echo and E.C.G machine were obtained with the help from a grant from The Mater Foundation.  This enabled tests to be facilitated at their own location, which has greatly improved patient care as results can be immediately processed and a diagnosis given by the Doctor on the same day.

This has proved to be a huge success for patient turnaround and reduced the waiting list to almost zero.

Robert Ryan - Chief Cardiac Technician

The installation of a new audiology booth in the Mater Dorset St Outpatients clinic has been a tremendous success.  The testing booth was purchased with a grant from the Mater Foundation. Patients have benefited from rapid-access, same-day diagnostics in a multi-disciplinary ENT clinic. Prior to the new audiology booth, patients would have to be transported across to the hospital for testing.

The process of a visit to an ENT clinic has been streamlined, with waiting times and return visits reduced for audiology patients. The Mater Foundation has been instrumental in improving the quality of care to our patients. Thank you for supporting this initiative.

Nina Reade - Audiological Scientist

The ERIGO tilt table is a high technology tilt table device, which has integrated passive/assisted movement of the lower limbs. The Mater Hospital is the first National Acute DATHs Hospital to have this robotic advanced technology and is one of only two sites in Ireland offering this therapy.  Suitable patients who may benefit from this more advanced device include clients with spinal injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, general debilitation, (e.g. critical care) and many more neurology clients. 

Patients get a great psychological boost after weeks or months of being bed-bound to suddenly being supported into a semi-stand position with simultaneous help to exercise their limbs using the leg robotic movement attachments. 

Thank you sincerely to The Mater Foundation for supporting the purchase of the Erigo rehabilitation Tilt Table. This device will be instrumental in the rehabilitation of critical care patients, from spinal cord injury to traumatic head injury.

Anne Horgan - Senior Physiotherapist, Acute Spinal Cord Injuries

The new Yag laser in the Eye Department has been a great asset to many patients who have had cataract surgery. As part of cataract surgery an artificial lens is implanted and in about 10 per cent, the capsule behind the artificial lens becomes clouded and the vision deteriorates again. This can be very upsetting for a patient who might think that another major operation is required.

The Yag laser procedure to cut through this membrane painlessly is done in about 5 to 10 minutes. Without a Yag laser a full operation would be necessary.

Many thanks to The Mater Foundation for supporting this piece of equipment.

Mr Robert Acheson - FRCOphth, FRCS(Ed), Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Funding was provided to replace the Electrosurgical Units that were in the Urology and Gynaecology Theatres. The replacement unit now meets all the needs of patients and will facilitate all future advancements in surgery. The new unit will be particularly valuable in pelvic oncology - ovarian, cervical, bladder and prostate cancer work.

Funding was provided for an Operating Microscope as the old microscope was fifteen years old and needed replacing for a new one which will be suitable to work on patients.

Funding was provided for a Phoenix 3 Urodynamics Machine that will be used to run a test to diagnose a problem. As a result of the test result, a treatment plan can be drawn up.

Funding was provided to replace two older cameras that detect Diabetic Retinal Disease. This is detected by digitized photography. The two older cameras use image resolution but this was seen as poor quality and poor to pass quality assurance. The upgrade of the cameras was essential to the department.

Funding was provided for an operating microscope for spinal service for:

• Operating for surgery involving the spinal cord. The microscope will enhance the surgical outcome and improve safety.
• Provide hands on training for spinal surgeons as it will provide a clearer visualisation of the spinal cord.
• Advances in surgery for spinal cord injury surgeons will be expected to deliver regenerative technology directly in to the spinal cord.

The microscope is a major piece of equipment and is an essential piece of equipment in a National Centre.

Funding was provided for an X-Ray Image Intensifier for the Pain Clinic.

Funding to provide a replacement Ultrasound Unit for the main Radiology Department

Funding was provided for a Neurocom Balance Master. The Neurocom Balance Master is a useful tool in the assessment and rehabilitation of balance disorders. Balance can be affected in many different conditions, including Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. But it is not only neurological conditions that affect balance. Older people tend to have poor balance and can experience falls, and anyone following prolonged bed rest will experience problems with balance and mobility. Balance rehabilitation is an extremely important component of physiotherapy, in helping to achieve safe and independent mobility so people can enjoy a better quality of life. The Neurocom Balance Master offers a range of objective balance assessments that were previously unavailable to us. Also, it offers a variety of balance exercises that can be progressed as a person's balance improves. The visual feedback from the computer screen ensures the people using it can challenge their balance systems appropriately. With the wide range of objective measures of balance available with this, it will be a very useful tool in future physiotherapy research projects.

Funding was provided for three Intra Aortic Balloon Pumps. These pumps are in constant demand. Balloon-pumping technology can be essential for the survival prospects of patients with advanced cardiac disease, or advanced heart failure.

Funding was provided for St John's Ward, as this ward is an integral part of the Acute Medical Unit caring for many ill patients in the hospital. All three of the six-bedded rooms in the ward needed to be refitted with water and suction points.

Funding was provided to further develop the Bronchoscopy service. This will lead to further developments in Endoscopic Ultrasound service for tumours. This will also help in the training of junior doctors. The Endobronchial Ultrasound will enhance the ability to diagnose lung cancer and also stage the disease.

Funding was provided to purchase an Evoked Potentials Otoacoustic Emission Diagnostic Platform. This tool is vital for audiology service to Oncology, Stroke, Elderly, A&E, ENT and Neurological Patients.

Funding was provided to the ward to replace a bath hoist, which was un-repairable. The new system can be operated more efficiently using a handset control and has a height adjustable system, transfer seat, lift and integrated transport solution system from bed to bath, this ensures a better working method without heavy manual lifting. This piece of equipment is beneficial to all patients but especially patients who have poor mobility and will guarantee the safety of both patients and staff.

Funding was provided to purchase an Anti-Coagulant Analyser. Because of the growing number of patients in the department this piece of equipment has become a fundamental part of the Haematology Laboratory.

Funding was provided to the Accident and Emergency Department in the hospital to improve and development the unit. The Emergency Department is one of the busiest in the hospital and sees approximately 50,000 people per year, many of which require immediate, urgent attention.

To improve the department a demand for new equipment was needed:

• A Rapid Infuser - This device speedily infuses fluids to acutely unwell patients and trauma cases.
• A Blood/Fluid Warming System - This device warms blood products and liquids and benefits many patients including Hypothermic, the elderly and the homeless.
• Vital Sign Monitoring Systems - This piece of equipment is used particularly for the introduction of integrated care pathways, especially the Stroke Care pathway, as these patients require 15-minute vital signs.

Funding was provided to Complementary Therapies in the hospital to provide regular service to patients who attend the hospital. Complementary Therapies is used alongside conventional medicine and is more recently known as integrative medicine where the patient benefits from the best of both approaches. Many patients within the hospital who suffer with Neurological Conditions and Respiratory Conditions are referred and benefit from the therapies given.

Funding was provided to purchase a Portable Two Dimensional Ultrasound device. This new piece of equipment has facilitated the performance, improving success rates and has contributed to operating theatre efficiency.

Funding was provided to replace a Microscope for analysing fluid and cell abnormalities.

Funding was provided to the ward to improve patient care and comfort. The purchase of:

• Two electric beds
• Two televisions - specifically for patients who are in isolation
• Reconfiguration of Storage Room on the ward - this will accommodate and safely store equipment and stock.

Funding was provided for three Intra Aortic Balloon Pumps. These pumps are in constant demand. Balloon-pumping technology can be essential for the survival prospects of patients with advanced cardiac disease, or advanced heart failure.