Recognising how deeply people are affected by their surroundings, the Design & Dignity Project has developed a range of ‘exemplar’ projects within public acute hospitals. To date, over 30 projects around Ireland have been supported.
Hospitals have created relaxing, spacious family rooms within busy acute wards, upgraded mortuaries into welcoming, respectful environments and redesigned viewing rooms in emergency departments and bereavement suites in maternity units. More details on Design & Dignity can be found here.
Hospitals around Ireland will benefit from the grant fund, which is operated and co-funded by the IHF and HSE, which will help transform older/dated spaces including family rooms, gardens and mortuaries.
In 2018, the IHF is also collaborating with Rosabel’s Rooms through its Design & Dignity project. A key aim of Rosabel’s Rooms is to facilitate the development of family-focussed bereavement suites in hospital emergency departments around Ireland.
Sharon Foley, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation, commented: “Every year 28,000 people in Ireland die and 43% die in acute hospitals. The Design & Dignity scheme aims to bring design excellence to hospitals where so many people spend their last days. New facilities are a sanctuary for patients and families at a very distressing time, and allow them the proper space and privacy they need. Thanks to the leadership and support of the HSE the grants have improved facilities in over 30 hospital projects across the country and are delighted to announce more project funding for 2018.”
Guidance on the type of projects that will be considered for grants and an application form can be found at www.hospicefoundation.ie The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 14th of September 2018.
The Irish Hospice Foundation is the only charity dedicated to dying, death and bereavement in Ireland. 80 people die in Ireland every day and the IHF believes everyone has the right to be cared for and to die with dignity and respect in the care setting of their choice. Our mission is to strive for the best end-of-life and bereavement care, for all. The IHF campaigns to make excellence in hospice practices, bereavement and end-of-life care a national priority and to stimulate the conversation about dying, death and bereavement in Ireland. Full details: www.hospicefoundation.ie
Design & Dignity
More details on Design & Dignity can be found here
If you have any queries about the Grants Scheme and the projects you are considering, please contact Ronan Rose Roberts, Architectural Advisor info@ronanroseroberts.com or Mary Lovegrove Design & Dignity Project Manager mary.lovegrove@hospicefoundation.ie
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