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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE “INTEGRATIVE ENERGY”

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE “INTEGRATIVE ENERGY” AT THE ROYAL HOSPITAL DONNYBROOK ON 13

Firstly, I would like to thank Dr. Mary Deane – the Medical Director of the Royal Hospital here in Donnybrook – for inviting me to be with you this morning – and to formally open this two-day conference on care and healing. The programme of speakers lined up over the two days promises to be very interesting and thought-provoking – covering every aspect of care – including the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of those who suffer from chronic illness or disability.

- I also want to use my visit today to pay a warm tribute to the work of the Royal Hospital over the last two and a half centuries – and to those who have given of their time and energy over that period – tending to the needs of so many who have passed through the doors of the hospital. In 1743 – when the hospital was founded – it was the first of its kind in the world. It was two years before the opening of Dr. Bartholomew Mosse's lying-in hospital in George’s Lane in Dublin – before it was to move to the Rotunda in 1757. The aims of the Royal Hospital - as laid down in its Charter - are to “diet, lodge, clothe and maintain poor persons who are afflicted with disorders declared by qualified medical authority to be incurable, and to supply them with medical and surgical assistance, medicines, and all manner of necessities”. While the language in the Charter may be quaint – the mission hasn’t changed over the centuries. The hospital – which is the oldest surviving hospital in Dublin – still provides care to the disabled – the elderly – and the frail and needy – in keeping with the original aims of its Charter.

- Caring for the sick or the disabled can so often be a thankless task – a job which can be demanding and frustrating – energy-draining in its relentlessness. For the families of those who are ill or disabled – and who are living at home – they can have the double burden of caring for their loved ones – and seeing them suffer increasing enfeeblement. The professional carers have a deep understanding of the endurance and courage required by carers at home. The Royal Hospital – as part of their service – recognise how great this burden is – and offers short-term residential care for many disabled people – thereby giving a break to those who normally bear that burden – and who have to fight constantly against tiredness, loneliness, depression – to keep their energy levels high enough to cope with caring. In all of its activities and services – the hospital goes to considerable lengths to preserve the dignity and self-esteem of those who are in their care –giving them a quality of life that perhaps they could not get without the loving care and attention that they receive here. I see it as part of my role as president to acknowledge that service - and to give recognition to those who have taken on role of carer – a role that gets insufficient recognition – and is poorly understood by those who have not themselves experienced the profound demands that such work makes.

- The conference which we are opening this morning – covers many aspects of the work of those who provide care services – and is an opportunity to the many professionals in this important area of health care – to share current thinking and developments in their discipline. With the advances in medical science and pharmacology – and the increased life expectancies that those developments have brought about – the number of older people continues to rise. While most lead very active and independent lives – there are many who are not in a position to cope – or to care for themselves. So the task of carers gets more and more complex – and is constantly in need of critique and review. Over the next two days you will have an opportunity to do just that. You will also have an opportunity to meet others in the same field – and to share ideas, insights, problems and solutions. It is an opportunity for those of you who work in specific disciplines to explore the interconnectedness of the professions – and to pool your talents and skills – away from the daily bustle of your ordinary work. The quality of care experienced by the elderly and infirm is directly related to our willingness to be open – to embrace change – to critique and amend – to try out new ideas and to learn.

- In opening the conference – I want to wish all of you well in your deliberations. I hope you have an enjoyable and fruitful two days discussing the new possibilities your work can offer for even better - more holistic care of those who rely on your care – your professionalism and your dedication.