The newly renovated Marie Keating ICU Family room has opened at Cavan General Hospital

A very special day for the Keating Family as the Marie Keating Foundation together with the specialist nursing team on the ICU unit of Cavan General Hospital, launched the newly renovated Marie Keating ICU Family Room on September 30^th, 2024. This would not have happened without the amazing support of sponsors Harvey Norman and the Elliot Group along with the beautiful design by Yvonne Fenton.

This room provides much needed comfort and privacy where someone hearing difficult news, awaiting news of a loved one or requiring a quiet private space to rest overnight can have that valuable time they need.

Everyone needs shelter in a storm and for anyone who has had difficult news or has had to wait in a corridor, crowded waiting room or travelled long distances while a loved one is facing a harrowing journey will recognise the value of this space.

Cavan has a huge place in the hearts of the Keating Family, especially their Mam Marie having lived there for a time.

Speaking at the launch Linda Keating said “The Marie Keating ICU Family Room is very special to my family, as Mam and Dad loved Cavan, we lived in Cavan for a time and still have many friends there.  Having a room in Cavan General Hospital in Mam’s name, which will support so many people and their families, at a very difficult time in their lives, means so much to us. This would not have happened without our sponsors; Harvey Norman and Elliot Group, we cannot thank them enough. Also, to the wonderful Yvonne Fenton for her keen eye and interior design expertise.  At the forefront of all of this are the amazing nurses and team at Cavan ICU, they see every day the need for this space and the work you do and impact you have is immeasurable. I have to pay tribute in particular to Clinical Nurse Manager Marie Hunter who I have worked closely with to make this room a reality, you are one in a million and you always put your patients’ needs at the centre of what you do.

God bless and thank you.” Linda Keating

Speaking about the impact this room will have for Cavan General Hospital Clinical Nurse Managers Marie Hunter and Amy Carbin said “The renovation of our ICU family room has provided a very comfortable area for our families to rest and be close to their loved ones. This room is a much-needed space whereby families can receive information on their relative’s condition. The room will allow us to help, support and comfort families during tough times and difficult conversations. Already, we have received positive feedback on the newly renovated room from families that have used it.”

Attending the launch on Monday 30^th of September were representatives from the Marie Keating Foundation including CEO Liz Yeates, Linda Keating on behalf of the Keating Family, representatives from Cavan General Hospital including Clinical Nurse Managers Marie Hunter and Amy Carbin, Interior Designer Yvonne Fenton and representatives from sponsors Harvey Norman and The Elliot Group quoted below, along with some special guests.

“We are honoured to contribute to the refurbishment of the Marie Keating Family Room, providing a comforting space for families during difficult times, and to support the hospital that has supported so many of us. As a company with deep roots in Cavan, Elliott Group has always valued the work done by Cavan General Hospital. Our family and the company as a whole have long held great respect for the hospital’s dedication and compassion in patient care. – Darragh Elliott, Managing Director, Elliott Group.”

“We at Harvey Norman feel privileged to support the refurbishment of the Marie Keating ICU family room here at Cavan General Hospital, this is the third such room we have supported for the Marie Keating Foundation as we know the value and importance of comfort and space when facing the most difficult of times. These rooms provide that comfort and support when people need it most. We have such respect for the work the dedicated and compassionate team here at Cavan Hospital do and feel honoured to support and contribute however we can” Robbie Auckram General Manager Harvey Norman Bedding Ireland