Help from the Army means very unwell people are not having to travel to hospital in dangerous conditions
THE SNOW persisted in Dublin’s suburbs yesterday where the streets were a winter wonderland for children while, around them, adults shovelled snow from driveways and footpaths.
The presence of an Army 4x4 manned by two uniformed soldiers in a snow-covered driveway in Crumlin was still enough to turn curious heads.
The soldiers’ mission for the day was to transport doctors and nurses from Our Lady’s Hospice home care team to terminally ill patients in various locations around the capital.
Dr Lucy Balding, a specialist registrar in palliative medicine who is being escorted to her charges by the Army personnel, said the assistance provided by the Army was “vital” in allowing her to continue to treat patients.
“If these guys hadn’t brought me out , she was going to have to go into St Luke’s hospital to be assessed there and brought back in, so I’ve saved her a trip out in the snow when she’s very unwell,” she pointed out.
In total, 25 patients have been reached with the assistance of personnel from the Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines since they were first called in on Sunday after heavy overnight snow.
Pauline Newnham, head of nursing at Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, said the Army’s assistance allowed the home help team to maintain a full service.
“The bottom line is if they
can’t get access down side roads,
it means you’re leaving a patient without symptom management or pain relief . . . for us that
would be unacceptable,” she
said.
Having started at 7am yesterday, Pte Neall Tracey’s first task was to collect a nurse who was stranded at her home in Bray before bringing her to the homes of palliative care patients.
Army personnel have also been called on to assist in less pressing matters.
“I was actually asked this morning to build a snowman for a small kid,” Cpl Paul Hanna said.
As well as transporting medical personnel, the Defence Forces have also been distributing meals on wheels to isolated elderly
people.
“We can assume any amount of roles as there are a fairly diverse range of assets which the Defence Forces have. We’re always on standby,” Lt Alan Rath said, not even flinching as a snowball hit the 4x4 with a loud thud.
“We’d like to think it’s reassuring to know that the Army’s on hand if something like this happens.
“Everything doesn’t stop just because it’s snowing.”