Cavan General to celebrate 25th anniversary
Cavan General Hospital is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary since it first opened its doors to patients and the public.
To mark this milestone, a programme of events has been organised commencing this Friday, June 27, and running right throughout the weekend until Sunday, June 29 (for a detailed programme of events, scroll down to the bottom).
All events will take place in a marquee located in the carpark of the hospital and begin with the formal launch of the 25th anniversary celebrations on Friday at 5pm. Dr Rory O’Hanlon, former Minister for Health and TD, who formally opened the hospital back in 1989, will be in attendance, as will other invited guests including the first patient to attend the hospital, the first baby born, the architects and project team, and retired staff.
Family day
A free 'Family Day’ is meanwhile planned for Saturday, commencing at 2pm, to which all members of the public are invited to attend.
As well as children’s entertainment including a bouncy castle, face painting, balloon modelling and an obstacle course, staff from the hospital will host several health information stands where members of the public can have their blood pressure and blood sugar levels discussed.
In addition, staff from the Paediatric Department will have an special area set up with a cot for children to see what a child’s experience is like in a hospital.
Photo display
There will also be vintage cars and bikes on display and historical power point display of photographs and scenes from 1989 onwards of staff and patients and opening ceremonies.
Patients at the hospital will be entertained by singer/ entertainer and regular visitor to the hospital Mel Doherty, and later visited by Cavan GAA officials with the Sam Maguire Cup.
That evening, 'Big Guerilla Productions’ will present Seamus O’Rourke’s new play, 'Padraig Potts Guide to Walking’, starting 8.30pm, with tickets available from hospital reception or on the night.
Massive expansion
Bridget Clarke, general manager at Cavan Monaghan Hospital Group, herself has worked on and off at the hospital for the past 20 years, starting off as a staff nurse. She told The Anglo-Celt that the range of services now provided there has expanded massively since it first opened its doors.
“We see a lot of services here today, which weren’t there when it first opened. It’s all been done to support safer and better healthcare of our patients. It’s been fantastic as a member of staff to be able to have seen and be part of this hospital develop, and be able to look after more patients locally,” she told the Celt in advance of the celebrations.
The likes of the CT Scanner, MRI, Renal Dialysis Unit and Intensive Care Unit were added after the hospital opened in 1986, while the Emergency Department was extended twice, along with the addition of Acute Medical and Paediatric assessment unit, and most recently a dedicated CF outpatient unit.
Community involvement
Many of these services came about part-funded by the public, something Gerry Brady, member of the hospital’s Service User Group says shows just how important the hospital is in the local community, and just how involved the local community is in the hospital.
“The level of services provided at Cavan General, not to mention the level of care provided by the staff is something that can’t be taken for granted. Its all the more wonderful then that we have an anniversary to be able to celebrate, bringing together past patients, their families, well-wishers and all the rest with it to give the hospital and staff their support, appreciate and acknowledge the work that’s being done.”
Walk or Run!
On Sunday, the hospital will host a 5km walk or 10km Run or Jog.
All are welcome to join in this fun event, registration takes place at 10.30am, with funds raised going directly to support Cavan General Hospital’s patient comfort fund.
Refreshments will be served afterwards in the marquee.
The anniversary celebrations will conclude with a Prayer Service of Thanksgiving by hospital chaplain Fr Martin Gilchreest, Canon Mark Lidwill, and will coincide with the launch of a book of remembrance for deceased staff members from 1989 onwards, and the planting of commemorative tree.
‘Celebrating 25 Years’
Programme of Events commencing
Friday 27th June – Sunday 29th June 2014
Friday 27th June 2014