Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide, National Director of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) officially unveiled the plaque in front of almost 50 guests, staff, volunteers and supporters – among them, HSE representatives Dr Andy Phillips; Julie O’Neill, Majella Doherty and Mary Fitzgerald, as well as Louise Mullen, National Lead for Cancer Survivorship, NCCP and Dorothy Thomas, Patient Engagement Manager, NCCP. Other guests included our founder and Honorary President, Marian Barnes and our patrons, Dick Spring and Don O’Neill. A proud Tralee man, Professor Ó Laoide said it was an honour to be back home for such a special occasion.
The presentation of the plaque cements the incredible role community cancer support centres like Recovery Haven Kerry play in our healthcare system, providing invaluable psycho-social support for those living with and beyond cancer in a community setting. The Model of Care for Psycho-oncology launched in 2020 recognises the necessity for a comprehensive psychosocial support service that spans the acute hospital, satellite treatment centres, primary care and community cancer support centres, who all have a vital role to play in promoting and enhancing psychological wellbeing, in supporting patients and their families. Recovery Haven Kerry works closely with health care staff in oncology and palliative care in UHK and CUH as part of this.
Speaking at Friday’s event, our chairman Tim McSwiney, outlined the extensive range of free supports and services available, adding that the numbers of clients engaging with the charity is increasing year on year. To the end of October, Recovery Haven Kerry registered 390 new clients – an average of 38 new clients per month, while overall attendance across the services are up by 37 per cent, he said.
“Community cancer support centres and services are very much in line with the values of Sláintecare. These organisations are working to an agreed standard as set out in Best Practice Guidance for Community Cancer Support Centres published by the NCCP,” he explained.
“Being compliant with the Best Practice Guidance for Community Cancer Support Centres is a mark of quality. It reinforces the need for good governance which keeps us on our toes as a board and we monitor our compliance in line with the Code of Governance as set out by the Charities Regulator. It offers us a yardstick to measure what we are doing against the standards required. As a result, healthcare professionals have more confidence in referring people to Recovery Haven – people who in turn get to reap the benefits of the extensive range of free psycho-social supports available.”
Friday’s event also marked the official launch of the Recovery Haven Kerry Podcast, produced by Pa Lynch of Longwave Audio and sponsored by Gilroys.ie. The 8-part first series is now available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Play. (separate post re podcast to follow)