A new Volunteer Service for Mayo General Hospital has been launched this week. The role of the volunteer is to provide a friendly and reassuring welcome to patients and visitors to Mayo General Hospital. Volunteers will also assist and guide patients and visitors to the various wards, departments and clinics in the hospital, if requested.

Launch of the Volunteer Service at Mayo General Hospital, front l-r; Karen Carroll, H.R. Department, Seamus Moran, Social Work Manager, Anne Marie Brown, Cardiac Rehab Coordinator, Charlie Meehan, General Manager MGH, Catherine Donoghue, Director of Nursing and John O’Mahony TD. Middle row l-r; Nora Walshe, volunteer, Nina Gibbons, volunteer, Renee Harkin, volunteer, Ann Joyce, volunteer, Mary Connolly, volunteer, Rhona Douglas, Social Work student, Anne Quinn, volunteer, Kathleen McDonnell, volunteer, Maureen Duffy, volunteer, Mary Hopkins, volunteer, Mary McGreal, Patient Forum, Mary Gibson, volunteer, Roz Livesey, volunteer. Back l-r; Ernie Sweeney, John Deasy, volunteer, Michelle Gettings, volunteer, Anne Grimes volunteer, Rose Stenson, volunteer, Mildred Beirne, volunteer, Josephine Curtis, volunteer, Pamela Walsh, volunteer, Brendan Guthrie, Patients Forum, Jim Casey, volunteer. Missing from Photo: Bridie McMahon, Imelda Flatley, Carmel McTague, Mary McNulty, Helen Coyne, Sophia Menezes, Marian Fitzgerald and Katie Flatley.Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

The Volunteer Service is based in the foyer of the hospital opposite the main entrance. Volunteers will wear a distinctive blue bib with ‘Hospital Volunteer' written on it. Some 27 members of the public have volunteered for the new service, and have attended induction and training for their new role.

The idea of a Volunteer Service was first promoted by patient representatives on Mayo General Hospital's Patient Forum, and has been rolled out by a special committee within the hospital.

Mayo General Hosptial was delighted with the positive response to the recruitment drive for volunteers. The positivity, good will and energy of the new volunteers has been very impressive, and the volunteers are bringing a wealth of life experience, which should be of great benefit to patients, their families and visitors in general.

Charlie Meehan, General Manager, Mayo General Hosptial, has welcomed the new volunteer service, saying; "The roll out of the volunteer service is a way for the hospital to encompass community involvement and ensure that the hospital experience is as pleasant as possible in what can be a worrying, overpowering experience for some patients, families and visitors."

Feedback from members of the public who have availed of the service is very positive and complimentary. The service commenced on Monday 5th March this year. It is a service led by members of the public for the public, working in partnership with Mayo General Hospital staff.