Shannon Company’s Philanthropic Donation to Milford Hospice

Michael Guinee, Chief Executive of Ei Electronics presents a cheque on behalf of the staff and company to Pat Quinlan, chief executive, Milford Care Centre. Photo: Joe Buckley.

In what Pat Quinlan, Chief Executive of Milford Care Centre described as “a unique gesture of philanthropic generosity”, Shannon-based Ei Electronics has made a very significant donation towards the construction and completion of a new 3,700 square metre specialist palliative care unit at Milford Care Centre, Limerick.  The Ei Electronics donation will specifically pay for the provision of an over-bed hoist system in all bedrooms.

 

Commenting on this aspect of the donation, Pat Quinlan said: “While not budgeted for in our original plan, Ei’s funding will now enable us to install a complete over-bed hoist solution in all 34 bedrooms which will greatly enhance the patient experience and be of considerable assistance to the staff in providing the best care possible”.

 

An additional co-funding (Staff and Company) donation of €60,000 has also been pledged by Ei  Electronics staff towards the construction and fit-out of one of the four family rooms included in the new hospice – 50% of this funding has been pledged by staff with matching funding provided by the Company.

 

Mr. Quinlan went on to say: “The Ei Electronics donation will make such an impact on the roll-out and provision of the new hospice in-patient unit, which on completion, will comprise 34 single-bedrooms, 2 patient day rooms, 4 overnight family rooms, a new main reception for patients and their families and a new therapeutic garden. When fully operational at the end of 2017, this will be one of the best facilities of its kind available and rightly so, because we believe that the people of the Mid-West deserve only the best. This new development, we feel, is a particularly fitting achievement in 2017, as this year Milford is celebrating 40 years of providing hospice care in the Mid-West.

 

Commenting on the decision to support Milford Care Centre in such a significant way, Michael Guinee, Chief Executive of Ei Electronics said: ‘’We are very fortunate to have such a comprehensive Palliative Care Service in our region, which annually cares for around 1,800 patients from Counties Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary and other areas outside the Mid-West, at its in-patient facility and though an extensive ‘Hospice-at-Home’ community service.

 

“As an indigenous company and a major employer in the Mid-West, which draws its employees from the region, we believe it is both a responsibility and a privilege to help this amazing hospice. It is very much in line with our philosophy as a Company to contribute in any way we can to the community in which we do business. The joy is in the giving and if Ei’s donation encourages more companies in the Mid-West to follow suit in some way that would be excellent. Fundraising is an ongoing endeavour for the Milford team – it currently costs €15m each year for Milford to provide its services and while the HSE is the major funder, the Milford team needs to raise €1.5m annually through fundraising to meet the funding shortfall. In the future, this requirement is likely to increase with the added footprint of the new facility.”

 

The new Milford Hospice in-patient unit, when completed in December 2017, will enhance the quality of care and scope of service, allow for greater privacy and increased dignity for patients and their families and enhance the opportunities for families to provide support for their loved ones. By funding or co-funding a room in the new development, donors can make a tangible difference in supporting the provision of this very specialised care across the entire Mid-West region.