Tallaght Hospital Donation
We were delighted to support the Captains Golf Charity day on 30th of October in Edmondstown Golf Club is to raise funds for exercise bicycles for kidney dialysis patients in Tallaght University Hospital.
The Renal Unit’s MotoMed Layson Leg Trainer programme.
This programme, run by Tallaght University Hospital’s physiotherapists, provides crucial support to dialysis patients navigating the challenges of regular hospital commutes and limited exercise opportunities.
Patients can spend hours commuting to and from the hospital three times a week, leaving them fatigued and with limited opportunities for exercise. In 2021, TUH introduced Ireland’s first-ever exercise programme for dialysis patients, led by physiotherapists. It incorporates aerobic and resistance training, primarily utilising the MotoMed Layson Leg Trainer. Currently, the Unit has two of these life-changing machines, but thanks to a fantastic golf event in Edmonstown Golf Club, we have now been able to secure two additional machines.
These machines cost €12,500 each. Hegarty Financial Management along with friends, family and members of the Edmonston Golf Club were delighted to help fund the two additional machines in order to make a lasting impact on the lives of dialysis patients, improving their quality of life and even aiding some in their journey toward kidney transplantation.
Former Captain Bernie Beirne of Edmondstown Golf Club stated, “Tallaght University Hospital Foundation and the Renal Unit resonated deeply with me. My husband Sean required dialysis before his first transplant in 1995 and again before his second transplant in 2010. Sean continues to receive exceptional care under the TUH Renal team”, she continued.
Niamh Hegarty of Hegarty Financial Management stated, ‘We at Hegarty Financial Management are delighted to be supporting the initiative that Tallaght University Hospital have launched for their dialysis patients.’
Expressing gratitude for their remarkable generosity, Professor George Mellotte, Consultant Nephrologist in TUH & HSE National Clinical lead for Renal Services said “Our patients attend for dialysis three times a week for up to four hours at a time, some have attended for over 1,000 sessions, finding the time and energy to exercise is an enormous challenge. To address this, the Hospital introduced Ireland’s first-ever exercise programme for dialysis patients in 2021. This innovative initiative, primarily using the MotoMed Layson Leg Trainer, has already made a significant impact.
He continued, “This monumental donation will resonate throughout the lives of dialysis patients, not only elevating their quality of life but also propelling some toward the hope of kidney transplantation.”
Douglas Collins, CEO of Tallaght University Hospital Foundation echoed this sentiment, “While the Unit currently operates with two of these life-changing machines, the funds raised by the Edmondstown Golf Club, will enable the addition of two more to the programme. Thanks to Edmondstown Golf Club ‘s dedication to our Renal patients, the Hospital can now buy a further two Moto Med Layson Leg Trainers. Each trainer, priced at €12,500, carries a tangible impact on improving the quality of life for dialysis patients. Thank you!”
Renal Services at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH)
TUH is the second largest centre in the country for Haemodialysis management. The Varty Unit provides a patient centred environment with larger capacity, a Home Therapies Unit and a self-care Haemodialysis Unit. The 2,700m2 Unit built over two floors has 28 Haemodialysis Treatment Bays, six single haemodialysis rooms for immunocompromised / acutely ill patients, four home dialysis training (Peritoneal & Haemodialysis) rooms and for the first time in Ireland, four self-care haemodialysis bays.
Impact:
These machines will support physical exercise for dialysis patients at the bedside and support an overall improvement in measures to improve fitness and strength, thereby reducing the burden of frailty in patients.Lower limb strength, measured by the 60-second sit-to-stand improved by 14%.Upper limb strength had a 30% improvement, as measured by the 30-second arm-curl test.Dominant hand grip strength measured by a hand dynamometer improved by 10%.The SARC-F, a sarcopenia screening tool, had an overall 15% improvement in scores.28% improvement in physical activity levels, with 59% of participating patients achieving the recommended 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week, compared to 31% prior to the development of the programme.19% reduction in number of falls.
Hegarty Financial Management are delighted to support the work of Tallaght University Hospital Foundation and if you would like to get involved or make a donation please log onto https://www.tuhf.ie/pages/donate
Hegarty Financial Management 40 years caring for our clients financial wellbeing.
The highest compliment you can pay us is the introduction of new clients. If you know someone who would benefit from our service, we would very much appreciate your recommendation.
