Each of the hospitals is adding their own contribution to the projects totalling €426,214 bringing the total investment to €1.07million.
Projects funded include a mortuary refurbishment and extension at the Coombe Hospital, a family room in both Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital, an Emergency Department Bereavement Room in Tallaght Hospital and a Palliative Care Suite in the Mater Hospital.
Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise has received funding for a maternity space for mothers experiencing pregnancy loss or perinatal bereavement. University Maternity Hospital Limerick will see their quiet ‘Rose Room’ refurbished and Mayo University Hospital will benefit from a mortuary refurbishment and extension.
Mary Lovegrove, Design & Dignity Project Manager with the Irish Hospice Foundation said: “We hope that each project will be a sanctuary for families to be together in private at extremely difficult times in their lives and that the projects will convey a sense of reverence and respect for life, death and bereavement.”
John Browner, Assistant National Director with HSE Estates said: “The Design & Dignity programme has been running since 2010 and, in addition to these eight projects, has funded 24 other projects across Ireland. The HSE is delighted to be leading this project in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation.”
Mary Lovegrove added: “Our vision for the Design & Dignity project is for an end of life sanctuary in every public hospital in the country by 2021 with approximately 60 projects completed as well as a HSE National Mortuary Capitals Programme underway.”
Design & Dignity is a partnership project of the IHF and HSE Estates and originated in the IHF’s Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme which was launched in 2007. The HSE has adopted Design & Dignity Guidelines for all refurbishment and new builds.
About 30,000 people die in Ireland every year. Approximately half of those people – 48 per cent – will die in an acute hospital.
The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) is a national charity dedicated to all matters relating to dying, death and bereavement in Ireland.
It’s vision is that no one should face death or bereavement without the care and support they need. It’s mission is to achieve dignity, comfort and choice for all people facing the end of life.
Leave a Reply