The Rehabilitation Unit is led by Consultants in Geriatric Medicine, responsible for the care of older adult and elderly patients,.
Consultants work closely with interdisciplinary teams to deliver high quality and patient-centred care. Interdisciplinary teams work best by focusing on individual patients needs and goals. This team may comprise some or all of the following disciplines:
Consultants in Geriatric Medicine
Offer specialist knowledge and expertise in Geriatric Medicine for older adult patients.
- Dr Marie O’Connor
- Dr Eamon Dolan
Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors – Rotational Posts
Provide daily support to Hospital Consultants
Nursing Staff
Provide nursing care for patients. Nursing Staff are led by:
- Ms Joanne Larkin, Clinical Nurse Manager
- Ms Caroline Kilcoyne, Clinical Nurse Manager
Physiotherapy
Work to restore and optimise physical function, creating individualised exercise programmes, treating patients on a one-to-one basis and in group settings.
Occupational Therapy
Enhance the skills needed to perform daily life activities independently.
Speech and Language Therapist
Facilitate patients with communication and swallowing difficulties.
Dietitian
Assess dietary needs and provide education on health-promoting foods to aid recovery.
Clinical Psychologist
Assist patients adjusting to the changes that have occurred in their lives as a result of their illness or injury.
Medical Social Worker
Provide emotional and practical support for patients.
Pharmacist
Check to ensure new medications prescribed will not interact with existing medications being taken or affect an underlying medical condition. (They fulfil prescriptions for long-stay patients and assist medicine management, guiding patients who are prescribed several medications.)
Podiatrist
Treat and manage foot-related conditions.
The National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh is a teaching hospital where students spend time on placement observing, learning and actively assisting in the delivery of treatments. Patients are asked if they consent to student participation and/or observation in advance of interactions, consultations, examinations or treatment. Patients have the right to refuse student participation and/or observation.
In the Rehabilitation Unit, patient rooms have television and WiFi access. Bedside lockers are provided for storage of personal items, and as space is limited, we ask friends and relatives to check and remove unnecessary items and clothes for laundry.
Individualised rehabilitation programmes are designed so that each patient can overcome physical challenges and optimise recovery. Each day includes some or all of the following activities: medical rounds, nursing care, individual and group exercise and therapy sessions, regular mealtimes as well as rest periods.
The Rehabilitation Unit operates a protected mealtime policy. We want our patients to enjoy their meals without interruption and distraction. Good food and nutrition are essential to their recovery. We, therefore, ask that visitors refrain from visiting during meal times unless they are invited to do so by a member of the interdisciplinary team.
Visitors are welcome to the Specialist Rehabilitation Unit between the hours of 2.00 pm – 4.00pm and 6.30pm – 8.30pm daily.