News

1 Feb 2004 - Nursing Service at the National Bone Marrow Transp

Nursing Services in the National Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at St.James Hospital. Another busy year has gone by here at the National Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. As in previous years changes continue within the unit, the Directorate and the Hospital. We welcomed our new Director of Nursing Mr. Paul Gallagher to St. James’ last August. With the ongoing support of the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust funding was obtained to provide a new key nursing role- the Bone Marrow Transplant Transitional Care Nurse (CMN2). Ms. Kathleen Beston joined the team here in late April in this new position, which is initially funded for three years. She has a wealth of experience from the UK services and will be liaising closely with the other members of the Transplant Team. In conjunctions with the Transplant team Kathleen will be responsible for co-ordinating and carrying out efficient, effective and high quality care for many of our post transplant patients following discharge from Denis Burkitts. She will work closely in supporting the Allogenic & Autologous Transplant Co-ordinators and the Haematology CNS in Discharge Planning for patients requiring blood and marrow transplants as part of the National Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Program. She will be responsible for establishing Nurse-led Assessment services in the Day Care area for this cohort of patients on completion of their in-patient stage post Bone Marrow Transplantation. We wish Kathleen all the best as she sets about establishing this post. Our Day Care Haematology & Oncology/Apheresis team continue to provide their vital service both for Stem Cell collection and Photopheresis. Ms. Mandy Kenefick has filled the recent Staff Nurse vacancy there. She is a native of Co. Cork and Mandy has plenty of experience in Apheresis and BMT from the UK services. The team on Denis Burkitt’s ward continue to provide care for all of our BMT patients and their families. As part of the Hospitals continuing participation in the National Hygiene Audit of Hospitals all areas within the Directorate continue to monitor and self assess hygiene standards. The Nursing staff are key in this process, taking the lead with our Housekeeping team. The ongoing assessments are in the high 90’s and during the recent inspection from the HSE the excellence of standards within our Day Care were particularly noted. The nursing team within the Unit and the Directorate sustain their individual personal and professional development by attending local, National and International conferences. Ms. Mairead NiChonghaile, our BMT co-ordinator, continues in her other role as Secretary for the Nurses Group of the European Bone Marrow Transplant (EBMT). Their annual Conference was held again earlier this year with a contingent attending from HOPE. Many of our ongoing initiatives could not be done without the support of the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust. Once again, on behalf of the Nursing team, our thanks to Frances, Marie and everyone involved with the BMLT for their assistance and good will. Geraldine Reynolds, HOPE Directorate Nurse Manager. Back to news index