Fire Safety in the Home – Information and support was provided by Ennis Fire Service through film, printed media and question time to clients attending on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout this month. Feedback from clients was very positive and information was provided to take home to use as a reference.

Foot Health – Cathy attends the day centre providing chiropody 3 times per month and this month gave an information piece to clients on how to care for their skin and nails in a safe manner. Printed Information was also provided for clients to promote their health in this respect at home.

Continence Promotion – Public Health Nurse Catherine Greene provided valuable information regarding health promotion of the bladder and bowel and products available to promote comfort and independence. Printed information was provided for reference at home.

Citizens Informaton – Shannon Citizen Information Centre centre held it outreach clinic for the people attending from the Newmarket-on-Fergus area. This is a valuable resource for clients to access information and support regarding individual services and entitlements. They also assist clients with offical form and document completion and information that is current such as Property Tax.

A large contingent of Residents and Volunteers from Carrigoran House spent an
afternoon at the Honk Pub celebrating St Patrick’s Day. There was great excitement while watching the racing at Cheltenham.  We had a few winners!
Following the raceing we had a  lively sing song with many doing a Party Piece!

Clare finalist celebrates success at National Care Awards!

DATE December 29^th 2012

A Co Clare finalist is celebrating after enjoying success at the Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards 2012, in association with Homecare Medical Supplies. Frances Neilan of Carrigoran House Nursing Home, Newmarket-on-Fergus, accepted the award on behalf of Carrigoran House in the Nursing Homes Ireland Community Initiative Award. 

Carrigoran House was one of three Co Clare Finalists to go forward to the prestigious national awards ceremony that took place in Citywest Hotel, Co Dublin, last Thursday, 15^th November. Jackie Flynn, Lakes Nursing Home, and Carmel O’Flaherty, Kilrush Nursing Home, proudly represented Co Clare and their respective nursing homes in the NHI Care Awards 2012 Social and Recreational Award Category. 

Frances comment

 ‘On behalf of all at Carrigoran House I wish to express our deep gratitude to NHI and the judging panel for recognizing the significant contribution Carrigoran House has made to the community of Newmarket on Fergus and surrounding communities over the past 38 years.

Carrigoran House has a long tradition of working with the local community and responding to the needs of local groups requiring space and access for their group activities. Carrigoran House will continue this flourishing relationship into the future and this award is gratefully appreciated’.

Carrigoran House was one of eight award winners on the night and the Co Clare representatives were three of 24 finalists. To reach the final 24 was a magnificent achievement, as 300+ nominations were submitted from communities across Ireland for the NHI Care Awards 2012.

Frances Neilan was presented with the award on behalf of Carrigoran House in front of a crowd of 400+ nursing home and healthcare representatives. RTE presenter Marty Whelan hosted the event and those attending travelled from communities across Ireland.

Tadhg Daly, Nursing Homes Ireland Chief Executive Officer extended his congratulations to Frances: “I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Carrigoran House on the excellent achievement in winning the NHI Care Awards 2012 Nursing Home Community Initiative Award. Nursing homes don’t exist in isolation, but instead are a part of local communities. This award is established to celebrate the contribution that nursing homes make to the local community. Nursing homes from across Ireland were nominated for the award so the achievement of  all at Carrigoran House is one to be immensely proud of.  Nursing homes will continue to grow and develop with their local communities and Carrigoran House is leading the way in integrating with their local community.”

The Nursing Home Community Initiative Award is open to all NHI registered nursing homes. The award is established to celebrate the contribution that nursing homes make to the local community. Nursing homes don’t exist in isolation, but instead are a part of local communities. Many nursing homes play a significant role in their local communities and indeed, enable many older people/people with disabilities to remain connected with their local community. In addition many Nursing Homes have active volunteers from their local community.

Nominees were sought for nine award categories (listed below). The winner of the Nursing Home Resident Achievement Award was named prior to the awards ceremony.

• ·         Nursing Home Director of Nursing/Person in Charge Award
• ·         Nursing Home Registered Nurse of the Year Award
• ·         Nursing Home Carer of the Year Award
• ·         Nursing Home Social & Recreational Award
• ·         Nursing Home Catering and Nutrition Award
• ·         Nursing Home Ancillary Worker Award
• ·         Nursing Home Community Initiative Award
• ·         Nursing Home Innovation Award
• ·         Nursing Home Resident Achievement Award

The plaque is displayed at the entrance with the following notice;

This award belongs to; staff, residents, volunteers, families and visitors who contribute on a daily basis to enabling Carrigoran House to maintain a flourishing and nurturing relationship with the local community.

Carrigoran House was honoured to achieve the 2012 Nursing Home Community Initiative Award at the National NHI Care Awards. Nursing homes don’t exist in isolation, but instead are a part of local community. The award is recognition of the long tradition Carrigoran House has of working with the local community and the continuous support received from the people in the local community and the ability of Carrigoran House to respond to the needs of local groups requiring space and access for their group activities. This tradition of community integration has spanned the past 38 years and Carrigoran House will continue this flourishing relationship into the future.

This year Carrigoran House has instigated an award for Employee of the Month.
We are now half way through the year and  many worthy employees have received
the award.  The Residents also join in the celebration party which is held in the Dining
Room at Carrigoran House and a great tribute is paid to each winner.

The traditional Mid Summer Horse Fair is a big day in the calander for many who
enjoy the world of horses.  It is also a big day for some of the residents of Carrigoran
House who enjoy the annual outing to the Fair.  Paula and Pat organised a group
to attend and were given a guard of honour by a large JCB which cleared the path
for the Carrigoran Bus to drive stright into the field.  Our Residents really enjoyed the
whole event where they met up with many old neighbours and friends.
The day got even better when they were invited back to a house to join a party. 
To their surprise they were wined and dined and given a fantastic welcome by a very
generous and well know local man and his family.

A very happy group arrived back to Carrigoran House in the late evening tired but delighted with themselves.  Well done to Paula and Pat for organising the day out.

The 5th Annual Spring Fair took place on Sunday 15th April last.  It was a magnificent
day weatherwise with bright blue skies and lots of spring sunshine.  The morning got off to a quick start with all the stall holders getting into place and setting up all their goddies
An amazing army of volunteers turned up and set up and managed the parking and
catering. The Bar-B-Q had a constant Q waiting for the tasty Burgers and Pork Wraps.   A wide range of musician came and performed throughout the day.  The
Children’s Area was of course the most popular with all the entertainment provided by HT Promotions at Shannon.  The stalls provided really interesting things to eat and wear.
One of the most  popular was the ‘Recessionista, Handbags and Bling’ which had a steady flow searching for bargains. Another very popular stall was the ‘Bottle Stall’ which was operated by the Clooney Quinn ICA.  Chancing your luck meant you could
bag a nice bottle of something special!

 We had fantastic support from the community with both
young and old enjoying the day and meeting friends.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO VOLUNTEERED, DONATED AND
SUPPORTED THE EVENT!