Speaker for Tuesday 19th November 2013 - Dr. Keith Munro
22/11/13 16:55
Photo: President Graham Kane greets Dr. Keith Munro, with club members (L) Cecil Spotten and Leslie Brennan (R)
Talk by Dr. Keith Munro on the Foyle Hospice
Club President Graham Kane welcomed club members to the meeting and then introduced our new member, Norman Gallagher and presented him with his badges and club documents. The President then introduced our speaker for the morning Dr. Keith Munro, who talked about, and showed a 45 minute video of, the Foyle Hospice.
Dr Munro (Keith) introduced his video talk with a brief look at the origins of the Hospice movement and the concept of a Hospice for the North West of Ireland. This was triggered by local GP Dr Tom McGinley when visiting an 18 year old man dying of terminal cancer. Dr Tom felt, not only his own inadequacy, but also that of the Health Service in general at being unable to provide the necessary care for this young man. This failure became a personal challenge which subsequently became the vision of a Hospice for the area. A small steering committee was set up in early 1984 and intense fundraising started in earnest.
The development of the Foyle Hospice was seen in three phases - Phase One: Homecare team set up in 1985 with the appointment of 2 specialist palliative homecare nurses. Phase Two: Opening of 12 bedded In-Patient Unit on 21st June 1991. Phase Three: Opening of Day Care Centre in 2001.
The hospice has grown, flourished and firmly established itself over the years, and has recently completed a refurbishment of the bedrooms - at a cost of around half a million pounds.
Keith then went on to show the video - 'Lighting a Candle for Michael' - which although rather long for our normal meetings, was very informative, positive and somewhat emotional (with smiles as well as sadness). The video took us on a journey through the life of Tom McGinley, the establishment of the hospice and then went on to focus on the efforts made by local people to raise money to keep it open - the 80% percent of all running costs which are NOT funded by the Health Board.
After the video show, Keith went on to update the members on the current financial situation in these very difficult economic times. It costs around £2.4m to run the hospice, of which £2m has to be found locally. The hospice has a small 'Community Fund Raising' team organising events to keep the hospice in the public eye, and try to meet that massive target every year. As the economy shrinks so the team find they have to involve more and more people, whom are only able to give less and less. The Health Board have for the first time ever, said that they will provide some 'non-recurring' funding for the coming year, and will look for further money in the following year - but Keith said he will not start celebrating until he sees what that money is in April 2014.
This interesting and enjoyable talk / video show, was followed by an equally interesting Question and Answer session. Just some of the topics raised were: 'Is there any help from the Republic (as you take patients from Donegal)?' - Not now as there is a hospice recently set-up in Letterkenny (but we still take people from Donegal). 'Do you take children?' - Sadly no, we can only take people 18+ years old. We do not have the specialist equipment we would need for children (no money). 'Can you get help from the National Lottery?' - Not currently, but always try. The hospice has 'gone green' to help cut the massive heating and electricity bills, but that and the refurbishment has taken just about all the reserves. 'Is Dr. McGinley still involved?' - Now approaching 80, he did 'take a back seat' a couple of years ago. He still visits and remains a much-loved friend, but no active role. He also recently received the 'Freedom of the City of Derry' in recognition of his many years of service to the people of the City and beyond.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Graham MacDonald who said that Keith had provided much for the members to discuss and a topic that we all needed to hear about. Thanks were due not only for the talk Keith gave, but to all the staff and helpers involved in the hospice. The thanks were passed on by the President. The members showed their appreciation.
Talk by Dr. Keith Munro on the Foyle Hospice
Club President Graham Kane welcomed club members to the meeting and then introduced our new member, Norman Gallagher and presented him with his badges and club documents. The President then introduced our speaker for the morning Dr. Keith Munro, who talked about, and showed a 45 minute video of, the Foyle Hospice.
Dr Munro (Keith) introduced his video talk with a brief look at the origins of the Hospice movement and the concept of a Hospice for the North West of Ireland. This was triggered by local GP Dr Tom McGinley when visiting an 18 year old man dying of terminal cancer. Dr Tom felt, not only his own inadequacy, but also that of the Health Service in general at being unable to provide the necessary care for this young man. This failure became a personal challenge which subsequently became the vision of a Hospice for the area. A small steering committee was set up in early 1984 and intense fundraising started in earnest.
The development of the Foyle Hospice was seen in three phases - Phase One: Homecare team set up in 1985 with the appointment of 2 specialist palliative homecare nurses. Phase Two: Opening of 12 bedded In-Patient Unit on 21st June 1991. Phase Three: Opening of Day Care Centre in 2001.
The hospice has grown, flourished and firmly established itself over the years, and has recently completed a refurbishment of the bedrooms - at a cost of around half a million pounds.
Keith then went on to show the video - 'Lighting a Candle for Michael' - which although rather long for our normal meetings, was very informative, positive and somewhat emotional (with smiles as well as sadness). The video took us on a journey through the life of Tom McGinley, the establishment of the hospice and then went on to focus on the efforts made by local people to raise money to keep it open - the 80% percent of all running costs which are NOT funded by the Health Board.
After the video show, Keith went on to update the members on the current financial situation in these very difficult economic times. It costs around £2.4m to run the hospice, of which £2m has to be found locally. The hospice has a small 'Community Fund Raising' team organising events to keep the hospice in the public eye, and try to meet that massive target every year. As the economy shrinks so the team find they have to involve more and more people, whom are only able to give less and less. The Health Board have for the first time ever, said that they will provide some 'non-recurring' funding for the coming year, and will look for further money in the following year - but Keith said he will not start celebrating until he sees what that money is in April 2014.
This interesting and enjoyable talk / video show, was followed by an equally interesting Question and Answer session. Just some of the topics raised were: 'Is there any help from the Republic (as you take patients from Donegal)?' - Not now as there is a hospice recently set-up in Letterkenny (but we still take people from Donegal). 'Do you take children?' - Sadly no, we can only take people 18+ years old. We do not have the specialist equipment we would need for children (no money). 'Can you get help from the National Lottery?' - Not currently, but always try. The hospice has 'gone green' to help cut the massive heating and electricity bills, but that and the refurbishment has taken just about all the reserves. 'Is Dr. McGinley still involved?' - Now approaching 80, he did 'take a back seat' a couple of years ago. He still visits and remains a much-loved friend, but no active role. He also recently received the 'Freedom of the City of Derry' in recognition of his many years of service to the people of the City and beyond.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Graham MacDonald who said that Keith had provided much for the members to discuss and a topic that we all needed to hear about. Thanks were due not only for the talk Keith gave, but to all the staff and helpers involved in the hospice. The thanks were passed on by the President. The members showed their appreciation.
(Secretary, Mike Turner)
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