The Start of the Movement

Friday, April 6th, 1990 marked the official launch of the South Tipperary Hospice Movement. In her address on the occasion, the chairperson, Dr Marie Ryan-Carew described the launch as “a very special occasion for South Tipperary . It marks the beginning of a movement which has proven successful in other areas in Ireland and abroad and has enriched the lives of givers and receivers, a movement which brings peace, serenity and dignity at a very sensitive time in people's lives.”

The South Tipperary Hospice Movement, had, from the outset the enthusiastic support of all the caring agencies, family practitioners, nurses, hospitals, and clergy, in the area, together with many voluntary organizations and individuals.

The Irish Cancer Society had already committed to grant aiding the project by allocating funds from the proceeds of the Daffodil Day. However, a significant sum of money still remained to be raised through local fundraising and the people of South Tipperary were magnificent in their response to the appeal for funds.

The response was so good that the movement was able to recruit its first two Home Care Sisters in October of the same year and they commenced the service in November 1990.

Of course, the movement has gone from strength to strength, and through the involvement and generosity of the people has become a truly community owned organization.

What are we?

The South Tipperary Hospice Movement is a voluntary organisation, funded by the people of South Tipperary/West Waterford, which employs Palliative Care Sisters who provide help and expertise to patients with cancer and their families at home, and in hospitals and nursing homes. The Movement consists of a steering committee which is responsible for the running of the movement, whose members give of their time and professional expertise in a voluntary capacity, and to which the clinical team reports. The clinical team supervises the work of the nurses.

How does the Hospice Movement work?

Patients with cancer are referred by Family Doctors or by Hospital Consultants from within our area, or occasionally they are already receiving care from a palliative care team in a hospital outside our area where they are being treated, and on return home or to a local hospital this care is continued following consultation with the patient's own Family Doctors. The help of the Hospice Movement is therefore sought by other professionals and can only work in close liaison with these professionals and could not exist if they did not refer patients to it. In turn the Hospice Movement liaises closely with the Public Health Nursing Service and with Hospital Nurses, as well as with other professionals involved in the care of the patient. We are primarily a domiciliary based movement and therefore the closest relationship has to be maintained with the Family Doctors in the area; this is very important as it is the Family Doctors who are in primary charge of the patient and who have known their patients over many years. They are the most important part in the totality of professional patient care. Patients are seen for a varying period of time to their death, or discharge from the service.

What do we do?
•  We affirm life and regard dying as a normal process.
•  We liaise closely with general practitioners and public health nurses.
•  We offer advice re symptom management.
•  We aim for the highest possible quality of life for the patient and family.
•  We offer support to the extended family.
•  As part of our service we aim to enhance the psychological, physical, social and spiritual care of the patient.
•  We provide education to other professionals and interested groups
•  We give continued support to the bereaved family and when necessary family members are referred to our Bereavement Councilor -- Janet O'Brien.

Bereavement Support

We have recently expanded our professionally led bereavement service to include the contribution of a bereavement counselor. Our counselor works in our office in Clonmel on a part-time basis and provides one to one counseling and a support service on an individual, family or group basis. The aim of this service is to facilitate the grieving process in a safe and secure manner.

Bereavement and grief are natural experiences and the majority of people find their own way through their experience of loss. Nevertheless, some people will experience difficulties and may benefit from the support of someone outside their own family/friend circle, or from a professional counseling service.

Should you wish to make a referral, please contact us at:
052 61 27721, Mon. – Fri. 9.30am - 4pm.
An initial appointment can be arranged to allow the individual and counselor to assess the suitability of the service to meet the needs of the particular client. The counseling and support service is private and confidential.