Trinity Med Day 2023
As part of the Group’s CSR strategy, we are very proud of our ongoing association with the Medical Students at Trinity College, who each year take on this great fundraising task for many great charities. Med Day is a charity organisation run by the medical students at Trinity College Dublin. This year they plan to hold their annual fundraising event which sees hundreds of medical students take to the streets of Dublin on the 10th of November to shake buckets and collect donations for their local teaching hospitals.
Since its inception in 2002, Med Day has raised over €1,000,000 in much-needed funds for research projects, medical equipment and healthcare facilities in Trinity-affiliated teaching hospitals. This year they are supporting several wonderful beneficiaries:
Hang-Out Space for Youth Cancer patients, at CHI at Crumlin
There is growing evidence to support the need for developmentally appropriate care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer. The aim of this project will be to improve the present hangout space in the National Children’s Cancer Service in Children’s Health Ireland. The funding will go towards redesign and renovation of the existing Adolescent and Young Adult Den in St John’s Ward at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin which was built many years ago. The improvements will include new modern interiors, new furniture fit for purpose for the patients including improved kitchen facilities.
● Improving Walking Ability For People with Stroke and MS through use of a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device at St James’ Hospital
A large percentage of patients who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or those who experience strokes will have difficulty walking in the wake of these events, and will be more susceptible to falls. Functional Electronic Stimulation (FES) is proven to aid these patients in getting back on their feet and developing their walking endurance so that they may regain much of their independence. FES is also proven to help boost balance and prevent the risk of
falls, which has the knock-on effect of keeping these patients out of hospital waiting rooms in the long term. Currently, SJH has no access to this highly effective method of rehabilitation and MS/stroke patients will see an immediate benefit to their mobility once they have been introduced.
Giving independence to patients at the National Rehabilitation Hospital with Assistive Technology
The NRH caters to a wide variety of patients who have experienced some form of neurological injury, such as stroke victims, which frequently prevents them from moving and
manipulating objects easily. This project will aid these patients by providing them with specialized mouse-style devices, and voice-activated aids, not unlike a specialized “Alexa”. This will offer alternative ways to control their phones, computers and tablets, as well as controlling elements in their hospital room such as the television, without the aid of staff. These pieces of equipment can prove life-changing in granting these patients considerably more independence than they might have enjoyed otherwise.
Giving a Voice to Palliative Care patients with technological Communication Aids at Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services
Patients who attend Our Lady’s Hospice at Harold’s Cross for respite, symptom control or end of life care may have difficulties communicating either as a direct consequence of their illness (such as in head and neck cancer or Parkinson’s Disease) or due to the symptoms experienced at the end of life (such as breathlessness, fatigue or oral pain). By purchasing a selection of iPads and specialist applications that are designed to enable these patients, OLH Harold’s Cross will be able to facilitate this wholly necessary service as patients approach end of life, dispelling potential distress in what is a difficult time for many families. What’s more, this equipment will also aid doctors and nurses in providing the best quality of care as these patients will be better equipped to articulate their symptoms and experience.
Purchase of a Bodyworks Eve Mannequin model for Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) and ultrasound training at Tallaght University Hospital
Ultrasound scans are common investigations which can be conducted quickly,
non-invasively and safely in hospitals all over Ireland, producing instant and reliable results.
However, very few students and junior doctors are offered the opportunity to practise the use
of ultrasound due to a shortage of specialised training equipment - this project will purchase
a specialised mannequin model which can teach a variety of realistic techniques, enabling
doctors to practise and hone their skills so that patient experience is improved. This
increases efficiency and should address knowledge gaps in the junior doctor awareness of
advanced ultrasound techniques.
