FAQ's
AGH accommodation consists of single, twin and triple occupancy rooms. Single rooms are offered on the basis of clinical and infection control requirements and as such do not become available very often. All rooms are equipped with a nurse call bell, television, free Wi-Fi and most rooms have direct access onto a courtyard.
Please note that due to demand we often have a significant waiting list. Please also note that due to single room requests, residents who will only accept a single room will experience a longer wait time for a bed.
AGH is not a dementia specific centre. However, we are dementia focused and strive to provide the highest level of care for people with dementia. As we are not a dementia specific service there are occasions where we are unable to meet the needs of some prospective residents. All clients are assessed on an individual basis for suitability and AGH being an open unit can be an influencing factor in the decision.
Our facilities include a restaurant, coffee shop, small shop, hair dressing salon, extensive gardens, reflection spaces and a church.
Please contact a member of the Patient Services Team by phone (01) 4986267 or email patientservices@olh.ie to arrange to visit the unit prior to admission. The Patient Services Team will schedule the visit with the relevant ward. Unfortunately, it is not possible to accommodate walk-in visits without prior arrangement.
Daily visiting is available between 13.30-16.30 (1.30pm and 4.30 pm) and between 17.30-19.30 (5.30pm and 7.30pm).
Visitors must sign in at reception and perform hand hygiene before going into the wards. Visiting restrictions may be in place from time to time for infection control purposes (please adhere to the Infection control signs and advice from staff in the relevant wards)
Our residents are encouraged to maintain contact with family, friends and loves ones bearing in mind the risks of COVID-19. This may include visits home, subject to the approval of the Medical Officer or Ward Manager. The Ward Manager must be advised, as early as possible, of any proposed visits home and a risk assessment must be carried out in advance.
We encourage residents to bring in items such as photos, art works and other effects which will make them feel more at home in their rooms.
A Residents’ Forum is available to all Anna Gaynor Residents and meet on a regular basis. This forum, facilitated by a Volunteer, addresses issues which may arise for residents in line with the following objectives:
- To voice the views and wishes of the Residents.
- To bring Residents’ issues to the attention of Staff and Management.
- To contribute to a close working partnership of Residents, Staff and Management.
- To work together to implement changes that have been identified by Residents.
The Assistant Director of Nursing, Lisa Murphy, is available to speak to any Resident if they have any concerns. Lisa can be contacted at lisamurphy@olh.ie. Lisa is also on the wards on a regular basis should you wish to speak with her. There is also access to an independent advocate separate from Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services upon request.
A team of medical social workers is available to provide a personal and confidential service to residents and relatives.
If residents are anxious or worried about any problem, emotional or practical, their progress could be hindered. Consultation with the social workers may resolve some of these issues. You will be given an opportunity to consider your individual choices and to reach decisions.
Meal times:
Breakfast: 8.30am
Lunch: 12.30pm
Tea: 4.45pm
Menu choices are taken in advance.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to visit at the above times to assist their relative/friend with their meals.
If you wish to have meals at different times or in different areas of the Hospice, please advise a member of staff.
Snacks and drinks are also offered at regular intervals and on request. There are vending machines available also.
(Special arrangements can be made if these times don’t suit on a particular day)
We cannot take any responsibility for personal items retained by you throughout your stay. We strongly advise you not to bring any valuables, e.g. jewellery, large amounts of cash (greater than €50), private documents. A lockable drawer in each bedside locker is available. If you are an inpatient, please leave your valuables in the care of relatives or friends. Staff are not permitted to hold any cash, valuables or personal documents for patients/residents.
Each patient is provided with a lockable bedside locker. We recommend that residents keep no more than €50 and that they lock it away. The general office operates a system whereby money can be stored safely for residents and accessed during office hours.
If you are taking any tablets or other medicines, including eye drops, inhalers, patches, gel for pain and supplements, it would be very helpful if you could bring these with you on the day of your admission. If this is not possible, please bring an up to date prescription or medication list with you. This will allow the doctor and pharmacist to know exactly what medicine(s) you are taking and review them, if necessary.
Following your admission to Anna Gaynor House, the Pharmacy Department in Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services will supply any medicines that you require.
Should you wish to make a compliment, complaint or raise a concern please ask for one of our nurses or ward managers to discuss. There are also suggestion boxes available on each ward in Anna Gaynor House, into which written complaints or suggestions can be dropped. The boxes are checked regularly, and all suggestions are discussed by the team. If a resolution cannot be found, the complaint may be directed to the Complaints Officer. See here
There is free Wi-Fi (Internet) connectivity available throughout AGH.
Please note that there is no ATM available on the campus, however cashback up to the value of €20 is available in our Coffee Dock and Restaurant facilities during opening hours.
Laundering of clothes is carried out by an external agency on behalf of the Hospice or it can be taken home by the Resident’s relatives/friends.
A laundry bag will be left at the back of your locker. To avoid loss or misplacement of items of clothing, each item should be marked with the Resident’s name and the name of the unit.
Please note that the use of mobile phones is restricted during therapy sessions. In consideration of other residents, we also request restricted use after 10.30pm.
For the protection of our residents, CCTV cameras monitor the hospice both internally and externally 24hrs a day. Any security incidents, including items lost or found, should be reported to the Security Office in the Palliative Care entrance hall.
Security personnel are present on the Harold’s Cross campus 24 hours a day.
Free car parking is available for patients and visitors. There are designated wheelchairs spaces in Car Park 1, opposite the Palliative Care Unit.
AGH is a smoking and vaping free zone. Smoking is only permitted at the designated smoking shelter at the front of the Caritas building.