68 HealtH Matters
nEWs // DuBlIn mID-lEInstEr
FIRST STROKE PATIENT ASSESSED
REMOTElY THANKS TO ROBO-DOC
THE MIDlAND REGIONAl HOSPITAl in Mullingar recently became the first in the country
to use Robo-Doc, a remote presence (RP7) robot doctor. Robo-Doc is a tool to assist
consultants to make a remote assessment, diagnosis and care intervention for a patient
presenting with acute stroke.
The first patient to benefit from the new process was an 81-year-old woman who
presented at Mullingar Hospital in January. The patient had suffered a stroke. She was
initially assessed by emergency medical personnel. The on-call physician in Tallaght Hospital,
Professor Des O'Neill expertly guided the on-site team after he assessed the patient using
+ (l-R): Mr Pat Clarke, Dr Maura Cuffe, Joan Murphy, the remote technology.
and Professor Hilary Hoey at the launch of the ‘Oral
Professor sean Murphy, Midland regional Hospital in Mullingar, welcomed the
Health and Down syndrome’ brochure.
development and complimented all those involved with the Dublin Midlands Stroke Network.
orAl HEAlTH AND
how do you reCogniSe a Stroke?
DowN SyNDromE • Numbness, weakness or paralysis on one • Sudden blurred vision or sight loss
brocHurE lAuNcHED
side of the body • Being unsteady on your feet
• Slurred speech, difficulty thinking of words • Severe headache
Hse Dental services were delighted • Confusion
to launch a brochure entitled ‘Oral Health
and Down syndrome’ at the World Down how to aCt F.a.S.t.
syndrome Congress and to distribute a simple test can help you recognise if someone has had a stroke:
copies to the estimated 1,000 international Facial weakness – can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
delegates. the Congress was held arm weakness – can the person raise both arms?
in Dublin. speech problems – can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
the brochure is aimed at parents of Time to call 999 for an ambulance if you spot any one of these signs.
young children with Down syndrome and
will also be helpful to the multidisciplinary
team involved in Early Services. It addresses
parents’ concerns about dental development
and Down syndrome e.g. missing teeth,
gum disease and grinding. the brochure
also delivers key oral health messages.
Hse dental staff from the Oral Health
Promotion Committee, Hse Dental
services, led this project and consulted
with Down Syndrome Ireland and the Irish
society for Disability and Oral Health.
Dr Maura Cuffe, senior Dental surgeon,
longford/Westmeath lHO and past
president ISDH also developed a ‘poster
presentation’ at the World Congress to + (l-R): Anne Kelly, Director of Nursing; Dr Jim Slattery, Radiologist; Dr Richard lynch, Consultant in A&E
highlight the collaboration involved.
Medicine; Yvonne Kane, Business Manager; Edel Shannon, ED, Caroline Carty, ED; and Professor Sean Murphy,
stroke Physician.
CHIlD SAFETY WORKBOOK lAUNCHED IN lONGFORD
A SAFETY WORKBOOK devised to promote child are admitted to hospital and 150,000 are seen in
safety and help prevent unintentional injuries has been emergency Departments for unintentional injuries.
published in longford. the workbook provides children It was developed with assistance from Stars
with a visual guide that identifies safety issues. It is Academy Playgroup/Montessori, Newtownforbes and
designed to be informative and engaging and includes longford County Childcare Committee.
colourful pictures and activities. the workbook is Contact: Brenda shannon, Hse Child safety
accompanied by a child safety DVD and leaflet. awareness Programme Project leader.
Every year approximately 75 children die, 15,000 Tel: (043) 334 4084.
HM Iss6.1 p1-70.indd 68 12/03/2010 15:18:31
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