HEALTH CARE
We, the Sisters of St. John of God, have been involved in Health Care since our Foundation. We began by nursing people in their own homes at the request of Bishop Furlong in 1871. By 1873 we had moved into the Wexford Workhouse, which eventually became Wexford General Hospital. Here a number of our Sisters continue to care for the sick to this day.
Because of the lack of adequate healthcare in Ireland in the 1930s and 40s we set up a number of Private Hospitals. However, in view of our Province Mission Statement, which calls us to use our resources for the materially poor, we have disengaged from Private Health Care.
In our Health Care ministry today we are involved in Public Health, Social Work, Hospice Care, Clinical Pastoral Care, hospital and home visiting, care of the elderly and Complementary Medicine.
Public Health
Some of our Sisters continue to nurse in the Public Hospitals and in Community Health Care and aim to bring a holistic approach in dealing with the patients and their families.
Hospital/Home Visiting
A number of Sisters visit patients in hospitals and also the sick and elderly in their own homes. This ministry is greatly valued by the elderly and those who are ill.
Hospice Care
The St. John of God Hospice was opened in 1989 to deliver palliative care to cancer patients in the Newry area. It has since developed extensively and is now known as the Southern Area Hospice Services providing care for terminally ill patients including children in a much wider catchment area.
Our Sisters have an on-going involvement in the Hospice through their ministries as Board Members and in Clinical Pastoral Care and Reception.
Care of the Elderly Sisters
As far as possible, we care for our elderly Sisters at home. Nursing care is provided and an Activities Co-ordinator engages the Sisters in physical exercises, computer skills, art and crafts. Outings are also encouraged and all help to keep our elderly Sisters mobile, alert and interested in living life to the full.
Complementary Medicine
A number of our Sisters are qualified in and practise Reflexology, Aromatherapy massage, Holistic massage and Indian head massage. Our Retreat and Conference Centre in Ballyvaloo offers Reflexology and massage by appointment to our guests.