Working Life: We’re establishing a pelvic health outpatient service for women and men

Mon, 23 Oct, 2023 - 02:00

Catherine Shanahan

5.30am

My husband Ruairí walks Shelby, the dog, while I get our 14-month-old daughter Naia ready for childcare. We’re all out the door 45 minutes later. I’ve a short commute from Rathmines to Phibsboro, where I park. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Mater Private on Eccles Street.

7am

The first task is to organise the roster for our phototherapy service, where skin conditions such as psoriasis are treated using UVB rays. I get the machine warmed up and go through patient referrals from consultants and ward managers.

As a manager, I look after staff rosters, annual leave requirements, and staff cover on wards. I also deal with queries from patients post-op, for example, questions about what movements and exercises are safe as part of their rehabilitation.

8.30am

The rest of the physiotherapy team arrives and we do a run-down of patients we’ve seen the previous day. We determine who needs more physio and we discuss complex ICU cases.

Our team is part of the Allied Health Department which covers ICU, musculoskeletal conditions, sprains and fractures, and post-op orthopaedic physio.

We’re currently establishing a pelvic health outpatient service. I sit down with the senior physio to discuss ways of promoting it. The niche service will benefit women who struggle with a weak pelvic floor after childbirth and men dealing with incontinence after prostate surgery.

Mumi Hossain, physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) manager, Mater Private Hospital, Dublin.

9am

Our team goes on the wards and I sit down with the physio who runs the spinal clinic, in conjunction with an orthopaedic consultant, to discuss which patients need to be seen and if we need to tweak their rehab programme. Six weeks after surgery, the patients come to the clinic for follow-up — they can see the physio and consultant on the same day.

10am

We take patients from the ward to the gym for physio and occupational therapy. Those who’ve had hip and knee replacement surgery attend our joint classes.

2pm

Much of the afternoon is devoted to meetings. Different departments come together — PT, OT, and social work — to work towards the safe discharge of patients and to see who needs a home care package.

4pm

With the workday coming to a close, mum life, and dog-mom life, resumes. I pick up Naia on the way home, and we head out with Shelby for his evening walk.

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