Taughmaconnell native appointed to major hospital role
A Taughmaconnell native has been appointed to a major role in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.
Sharon Donoghue will take up the role of Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service (PALS) Coordinator.
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.
A native of nearby Taughmaconnell in South Roscommon, Sharon gained valuable experience working with patients and their families having previously worked as a Nurse Manager in theatres and in the Pre-Assessment Unit in Charing Cross Hospital, London.
“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. Communication is a key part of my role, explains Sharon.
“If a patient wants to provide feedback or make a comment about the hospital and the care they received, I will assist them in doing so, or refer them to the appropriate person who will be able to assist them further.
“It is important that our patients are treated with compassion, consideration and respect and that the ethos and the values of the Portiuncula University Hospital are evident through the work carried out by all of our staff.
"As PALS coordinator 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,” she stressed.
James Keane, Hospital Manager said the hospital is delighted to have Sharon in Portiuncula University Hospital as Patient Advocacy and Liaison Coordinator (PALS) for the hospital.
"As PALS Coordinator, Sharon plays an important role in providing support and advice to our patients, their families and carers and works proactively to resolve any issues that arise during a patient’s stay in hospital.
"Patients can provide their feedback in relation to the service they received which we can learn from and drive change to improve patient experience and the quality of our services,” he ended.