At the moment, the world has found itself in an unprecedented situation. It is completely understandable to feel worried and anxious in this time of uncertainty. If you feel like it is all getting a bit much for you, here are some tips for reducing your COVID-19 anxiety.

ONE: Focus on things you can control, such as your thoughts and behaviours.

TWO: Keep the big picture in mind. Humankind will survive this.

THREE: Remember that the size of the news coverage may not equal the size of a threat.

FOUR: Let wisdom and logic guide you.

FIVE: Turn to reputable sources for your news.

SIX: Control how often you check the latest news.

SEVEN: Model peaceful behaviour for those around you.

EIGHT: Evaluate your own health behaviours and be a model for others, including children.

NINE: Feeling too isolated? Maintain digital connections with people.

TEN: Don’t let fear influence your decisions, such as hoarding supplies.

Manage your Anxiety and Mental health with these helpful tips. Please share with anyone who you think may need it. Stay safe x ??#suicideorsurvive #mentalhealthireland pic.twitter.com/PvwpEH5bUc

— Suicide or Survive (@SuicideorSurviv) March 16, 2020

Communication with Residents

In line with guidance provided by NHI, we are currently working on setting up access for face-to-face calls through the following applications in order to facilitate communication through a screen during periods of restrictions:

• FaceTime  (supported on Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad/Mac devices only)
• Skype  (supported by a web version, and apps on Android and iOS smartphones and Windows and macOS computers)

Roll out of these apps will commence on Thursday 12 March 2020, with a view to implementation by the weekend. A further update will be provided once this is in full operation.

To avail of this new feature, please ring us in advance and staff on the unit will be able to schedule and discuss with you and answer any questions.

Visitor Restrictions as Recommended by HSE and Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI)

For the protection of our residents, visiting restrictions are now in place in Highfield Healthcare.

No visitors, children or groups are allowed effective immediately. 

All visitors are asked to contact prior to attending. We urge prospective visitors to be cognisant and understanding of the measure that is required in the interest of resident and staff safety. Older people and people in nursing homes with pre-existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable if they contract the virus. The virus presents an unprecedented situation for our services and the care provided within them. Highfield is imposing the visitor restrictions in the best interests of residents and staff. We thank people for their understanding and patience during this period of unprecedented challenges presented by Covid19. 

Highfield is monitoring the evolving situation on an ongoing basis and is in continuous contact with the Department of Health, National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), HSE, NHI and all relevant health authorities. 

2^nd March 2020

At Highfield Healthcare, the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents, patients, staff, volunteers and visitors is of paramount importance to us. We are therefore preparing contingency measures against the potential spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Highfield Healthcare has over 300 beds, 30 day hospital places, and scores of people attending our outpatient department on a daily basis.

Therefore, if over the last 14 days, you have been in any of the affected areas identified by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and feel unwell or are displaying any symptoms such as a cough, high temperature, or shortness of breath, we would ask that you please avoid visiting our services to protect against the spread of the infection.

This request applies to:

• Families/friends visiting elderly relatives in our nursing homes
• Service users attending outpatient appointments in our OPD
• Service users attending our mental health day hospital
• Visitors of inpatient service users of our Hampstead Clinic.
• Contractors coming on-site to carry out work.

At all times, our team take every necessary precaution to best protect the health and safety of all who come through our doors.

The HSE regularly updates its list of affected areas, which can be found here. We are advising service users and visitors to check this list regularly for any changes or additions, and for more information and updates on the coronavirus, areas affected by it and what to do if you think you might have had contact with it.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Over the first two weeks in February, Highfield Healthcare were delighted to welcome Training 2 Care UK Ltd to provide an incredible training experience for our staff, volunteers and families.

The Virtual Dementia Tour is a scientifically and medically proven method of giving a person with a healthy brain the chance to experience what dementia might be like. Each session allows participants to enter the world of the person and understand which simple changes need to be made to their practice and environment to really improve lives of people with dementia.

Invented 25 years ago in America by Professor PK Beville and owned by Second Wind Dreams, Training 2 CARE are UK partners providing training across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.  The Virtual Dementia Tour has now been proven during research produced by Ulster University to change practice within 95% of participants, improve knowledge in 97% of participants and improve outcomes for 100% of clients.

From the third of February, Highfield Healthcare will host the Aware Life Skills Programme for the second time. Based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the Life Skills Programmes are designed to help people learn more about how we think and how this can influence our actions in helpful or unhelpful ways.

The Life Skills Group Programme is delivered over the course of six weeks in 90 minute evening sessions, and is to be a proven useful resource for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety.

We are incredibly grateful to the Dublin-Fingal Rotary Club, who have kindly funded these sessions to ensure it is accessible to everyone in the community.

The Life Skills Programme will take place on  Monday evening in the Hampstead Clinic Day Hospital and is open to people of all ages and backgrounds.

For more information on this programme visit www.aware.ie.

In today’s’ world, 1 in 4 people will deal with mental illness in their lifetime. As Mental Health service providers, here at Highfield Healthcare, we are proud to support many individuals on their mental health journey. During Mental Health week, it is important to raise awareness about mental health and speak out in support of those experiencing difficulty. This year, we have undertaken a number of projects to do our bit.

For the second year in a row, Hot Press has teamed up with Lyons Tea and Pieta House for a special issue, which takes an in-depth look at the important issue of mental health. Here at Highfield Healthcare, we were delighted to get involved again, with Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Miriam Kennedy detailing our newest initiative in partnership with Aware Ireland and Dublin Fingal Rotary Club. You can read the full article here; Highfield Healthcare Article | Hotpress 2019

 

World Mental Health Day falls on the 10th of October each year and is the perfect time to reflect on our own mental health. Below is a video we put together with the help of some of our staff members. We asked individual to share what things they do, in order to look after there mental health. Perhaps this might encourage you to examine what activities or occupations help you to relax and stay balanced?

NURSING STUDENTS! Looking for a summer job? Please get in touch!
Email hr@highfieldhealthcare.ie or call 01-837 4444.

Are you a recent or soon-to-be Nursing Graduate? Then we would love to meet you! 

Highfield Healthcare are hosting three Nursing Graduate Open Days through the month of March; an opportunity for prospective candidates to hear about our Graduate Programme, get to know the organisation and our people a little better.

WEDNESDAY 20th March, 11:00 until 16:00

WEDNESDAY 27th March, 11:00 until 16:00

THURSDAY 28th March, 11:00 until 16:00

We currently have openings for  Staff Nurses (RPN & RGN), Healthcare Assistants, Recovery Support Workers, and Psychology Graduates, as our services grow and evolve. Come along for an introduction to careers with Highfield Healthcare!

We have flexible working opportunities including full-time, part-time and relief opportunities, and we would love you to join our team.

We also welcome experienced RGNs, RPNs, CNMs and Allied Healthcare Professionals to attend. Please bring a copy of your CV for consideration.

If you have any questions about these event, or would simply like to enquire about careers at Highfield Healthcare, please get in touch with our HR department; email hr@highfieldhealthcare.ie or call 01-837 4444.

Exciting Nursing Career Opportunities: Are you thinking of returning to Ireland or thinking about a new career for 2019?

Why not come along to our Recruitment Open Day on Thursday the 27th of December.

We have job opportunities for NURSES (RPN & RGN) throughout 2019.

Located on the Swords Road in Whitehall, Dublin 9, our Open Day will take place between 11am and 4pm.

Come along for an introduction to nursing careers with Highfield Healthcare, and remember to bring a copy of your CV with you for consideration.

For queries, call +353 1 837 4444 or email hr@highfieldhealthcare.ie