Anne Lynch is our resident advocate. Anne comes to visit the residents monthly. Her role for the residents is what’s called an advocate.
Advocacy has many different definitions and in summary it is a person who puts a case on someone else’s behalf. It includes supporting a person to promote his/her wellbeing.
In the nursing profession, advocacy means preserving human dignity, promoting patient equality, and providing freedom from suffering. It’s also about ensuring that patients have the right to make decisions about their own health.
As sometimes people who live in nursing homes may not have the facilities or abilities to have their wishes heard the advocate is there to help.
Anne is not a nurse, nor is she employed by St. Attracta’s. She is an independent external volunteer who wants to support you as residents. She will listen and may offer ideas or suggestions. Where suitable she will give feedback to the nursing home if something needs to be addressed. She can also raise issues for you externally.
Anne is happy to meet 1:1 if required and if at any time a resident would like to speak with her they are advised to inform a nurse who will help organise it.