The Paediatric Diabetes Service at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin has won the award for Clinical Team of the Year at this month’s Irish Healthcare Centre Awards.
The Paediatric Diabetes Service in The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght looks after over 400 patients under the age of 19.
Type 1 Diabetes is a demanding and challenging diagnosis to manage on a daily basis and the team is dedicated to providing a holistic approach that meets the physical, psychological and social needs of our patients.
The team consists of two consultants, two registrars, two senior house officers, an intern, a candidate advanced nurse practitioner, two clinical nurse specialists, a staff nurse, a dietician, a medical social worker, a senior clinical psychologist, an art therapist and administrative staff.
Over the past 12 months the team has implemented innovative initiatives such as STAND: Support Through Art and Networking in Diabetes and ‘DA Clinic!’ a dedicated clinic for adolescent patients. These are in addition to existing successful programmes, such as CHOICE (CarboHydrate Insulin Collaborative Education).
The team works efficiently and collaboratively as a MDT, respecting and acknowledging the importance of each professional’s input. Its philosophy is to provide a friendly, respectful and culturally sensitive environment to support, educate and empower families to achieve the best possible outcomes for their quality of life and health.
The team includes Ciara McDonnell, Consultant, Edna Roche, Consultant, Helen O’Byrne, Medical Social Worker, Claire Crowe, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Aimee O’Neill, Art Therapist, Mona O’Brien, Admin, Grainne
Mallon, Dietician, Helen Fitzgerald, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Patricia Morris, Diabetes Nurse and Martina Comerford, Diabetes Nurse.