Renewed appeal for bereavement officer at Mayo hospital

Independent Mayo Councillor Harry Barrett has renewed his call to the HSE to appoint a bereavement officer at Mayo University Hospital.

It follows a letter from a patient that featured in this week's issue of The Connaught Telegraph.

The patient recounted a distressing experience where a fellow patient in the ward passed away from a terminal illness.

Shockingly, there was no designated room available for the dying patient, resulting in a stream of loved ones arriving to pay their final respects in the shared ward.

The deceased remained in the ward for nearly five and a half hours, during which time meals were served to other patients, and visitors came and went as if nothing had happened.

Maintaining normal activities in the ward while the deceased was present have prompted Councillor Barrett to demand the immediate appointment of a bereavement officer at the hospital.

He said this role is crucial in ensuring that end-of-life care is managed with the dignity and sensitivity it deserves.

According to Barrett, the bereavement officer's responsibilities would include:

- Providing a designated space for patients nearing the end of life, ensuring privacy and dignity.

- Supporting families and loved ones during their time of grief.

- Coordinating with hospital staff to ensure the timely and respectful removal of deceased patients from shared wards.

Councillor Barrett is urging the HSE to act swiftly to address this serious issue and ensure that no other patient or family has to endure such an experience.

He continued: "This is the second time that I have made this call.

"We must ensure that our hospitals are places of respect and dignity, not only for those who are living but also for those who have passed.

"The appointment of a bereavement officer is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.

"And I will be asking questions of the HSE to provide a timeline for the creation of this post to stop this sort of situation ever happening again."