Patient advocacy role at local hospital

Athlone woman Christine Rohan has been appointed to the role of Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service (PALS) Coordinator at Roscommun University Hospital.

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service Co-ordinator acts as the main contact between patients, their families, carers and the hospital. They ensure that the patient voice is heard either through the patient directly or through a nominated representative.

If a patient wants to provide feedback or make a comment about the hospital and the care they received, the PALS Coordinator will assist them in doing so, or refer them to the appropriate person who will be able to assist them further.

Christine previously worked as a Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist for St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network at St. James Hospital where she gained valuable experience working with patients and their families. Speaking of her new role Christine explains: “Communication is a key part of my role. I work closely with the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff on patient care issues and speak on behalf of those patients and their families who wish me to do so.

“It is important that our patients are treated with compassion, consideration and respect and that the ethos and the values of the Roscommon University Hospital are evident through the work carried out by all of our staff. My role is to also empower patients to ask questions and become involved in their own healthcare. It is vital that patients are listened to and communicated to in a language they understand.”