Mary Kelly May 2005

Empowering For Health:

Development of a Sensory Garden in The Medical Rehabilitation Unit Letterkenny General Hospital

Donegal

Mary Kelly May 2005

Background

Health Promotion Service Plan

Opening of the Medical Rehabilitation Unit

Empowerment of patients through the development of a living / working space

Mary Kelly May 2005

Context of the work

NWHSE values which guide our work ie.Self -Reliance,Holism, Equity, Accountability,Continuous Evaluation Confidentiality and Respect.

The National Health Strategy: Quality and Fairness 2002

This strategy outlines the future direction of health care in Ireland. It is guided by the core principles of equity, people centredness, quality and accountability. The strategy contains commitments to the provision of quality health care, delivered equitably to address the individual and unique needs of all persons. National Goal 1: Better health for everyone

Health Promotion Strategy: 2000-2005

This strategy acknowledges the need to develop appropriate, sensitive, responsive health promotion programmes in order to facilitate improvement in health status and social gain of all persons

Mary Kelly May 2005

Aim of the project

To develop a sensory garden in the medical rehabilitation unit to be used by patients, relatives and staff.

Mary Kelly May 2005

Objectives

To provide a garden for therapeutic activities within patient rehabilitation programmesTo establish a garden that will meet the needs of a wide range of people hence making it accessible to allTo develop a supportive environment to address not only the treatment of illness but also the promotion of positive healthTo work collaboratively with patients in the development of this project

Mary Kelly May 2005

Process

Multi-disciplinary working team

Identification of site

Funding proposal

Time scale / Implementation plan

Design and construction

Planting

Furnishing

Mary Kelly May 2005

Composition of working team

Co-ordinator of projectManager of rehab.unitEstates manager and staffStaff of the unitPhysiotherapistOccupational TherapistHorticultural advisorConsumer

Mary Kelly May 2005

Advantages of the sensory garden for patients

Therapeutic gardening activities

Ease transition from home to hospital and hospital to home

Enhancement of all senses

Privacy to learn to walk on a variety of surfaces

A private area to practice car transfer

Memorabilia area

Mary Kelly May 2005

Area identified for development of garden

Mary Kelly May 2005

Area before commencement of project

Mary Kelly May 2005

Garden under construction

Mary Kelly May 2005

Mary Kelly May 2005

Attention to detail:surfaces & access

Mary Kelly May 2005

Ready for planting

Mary Kelly May 2005

Completed Garden

Mary Kelly May 2005

Official Opening of Garden

Mary Kelly May 2005

Mary Kelly May 2005

Mary Kelly May 2005

Working Group

Mary Kelly May 2005

Mary Kelly May 2005

Music in the Garden

Mary Kelly May 2005

Staff and patients

Mary Kelly May 2005

Mary Kelly May 2005

Memorabilia area

Mary Kelly May 2005

Mary Kelly May 2005

Factors Which Supported Success of Sensory Garden

The Right Culture- organizational support / health promotion culture

The Right Processes – Multi-disciplinary team work / project management

The Right Resources-Friends of LGHThe Right People( at the right time)

Dedicated enthusiastic team

Mary Kelly May 2005

Working Group with Friends of LGH

Mary Kelly May 2005

Enjoying the garden

Mary Kelly May 2005

Quality time in a sensory environmentally friendly ambience

Mary Kelly May 2005

Music in the garden

Mary Kelly May 2005

This garden is in it’s infancy but as the months and years turn new sights will be revealed which constantly serve to raise the spirit, excite the eye and importantly enhance well being.