“I am privileged to work with excellent colleagues who always put the patient’s needs at the centre of everything they do,” according to Dr Aoife Fallon, Consultant Geriatrician and Clinical Lead, speaking as Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) celebrated four years of service at the Medical Gerontology Age-Related Unit at Tymon North.

Paying tribute to the hardworking multidisciplinary team at the unit, Dr Fallon explained that “as well as specialist geriatric nursing and medical staff, our 80-strong team includes Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Medical Social Workers and Health Care Assistants.”

Dr Fallon added that “since we opened in 2020, Tymon North has treated over one thousand patients whose average age has been 81 years. After their stay with us, the majority of patients - 750 in total - have been discharged home.”

The 48-bed Medical Gerontology Age-Related Unit cares for patients who require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. The facility provides vital support to TUH in addressing the medical, social, and rehabilitation needs of older patients with complex needs, prior to their discharge home or, in some cases, to a nursing home for long-term care. The expected length of stay for patients is 2 to 12 weeks.

Having opened during a COVID-19 lockdown, the unit provides specialist medical gerontology care, as well as addressing any social care needs patients may have as they continue their recovery. There are two wards, Cherry Blossom and Bluebell, with a total of 48 beds. All of the single rooms have en-suite facilities and each has a television for patient use.

Marking the fourth anniversary, TUH CEO Lucy Nugent said it was “great to be able to celebrate the opening of Tymon North finally. When this unit first opened its doors and began receiving patients in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had just happened. Protecting our patients always comes first and so, due to the pandemic, we waited until now to hold our official opening. Since it opened Tymon North has been a centre of excellence in terms of providing much-needed gerontological care to patients, and vital extra bed-capacity to our hospital. It has been a wonderful addition to Tallaght University Hospital.”