Dementia friendly ward in Monaghan Hospital

Monaghan Hospital, one of only two hospitals in Ireland to have achieved Age Friendly status, welcomed Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Fine Gael) last Thursday, July 23, to officiate the opening of the Willowbridge dementia-friendly ward.

During her visit, the Minister praised the hospital’s commitment to age-friendly care and the work undertaken in partnership. “They’re doing it for themselves, working with Age Friendly Ireland and different action groups,” she told the Celt. Noting that Ireland has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe, the Minister said the development reflected the need to plan for an ageing population: “It means that we have to plan how we’re going to care for people with extra kindness, recognising there’ll be many more of us that age and age well, but with complications.”

Minister Carroll MacNeill praised Monaghan Hospital for leading the way. “Now every ward that gets redeveloped from here on in is going to be done in that way,” she said.

Thoughtful design

Speaking in the hospital’s recently developed Rehabilitation, Dementia and Remembrance Garden, Minister Carroll MacNeill commended the design and attention to detail that went into creating an accessible environment.

She pointed, for example, to a picnic table designed with three chairs, allowing space for a wheelchair user to sit comfortably alongside others.

She also highlighted features such as different levels of railings along the garden’s ramped pathways.

“That’s the kind of consideration and kindness that you love to see given to people and it’s fantastic to see Laura Waters and Lynda McGrory, two brilliant managers in these hospitals, driving that for the people of Monaghan,” she said.

Local support

Public representatives from across the political spectrum attended the launch, including Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Aidan Campbell, who welcomed the investment in the local hospital and the numbers using it. He also complimented the staff for their “fantastic work”.

Age Friendly Ambassador for County Monaghan, Seamus McDermott, also praised the leadership of the hospital manager, Linda McGrory, on the initiative. “We have been involved and helped every way we can, but she’s the driving force. Things that are improved for the aged, help everybody,” he said.

Mr McDermott, who is also involved with the County Monaghan Fund that contributed to the garden project, welcomed the extension of age-friendly principles in the hospital building itself.

Age-friendly care

Monaghan Hospital became the first hospital in the region to achieve Age-Friendly Status in 2025. The ‘Model 2’ hospital provides essential care for patients from Cavan and Monaghan who have completed the acute phase of treatment and require rehabilitation, step-down care or palliative care.

The refurbishment of Willowbridge Ward was guided by age-friendly and dementia-friendly design principles, recognising the impact of the physical environment on independence, orientation, dignity and wellbeing for older people and those living with cognitive impairment. Improvements include enhanced privacy, clearer wayfinding, improved infection prevention and control measures and a more therapeutic ward environment.

The Rehabilitation, Dementia and Remembrance Garden provides a calm and accessible outdoor space supporting rehabilitation, safe mobilisation, meaningful activity, orientation and wellbeing. Last week, the garden was shortlisted for the 2026 Age Friendly Awards in recognition of its innovative contribution to age-friendly care.

Hospital staff have also undertaken dementia-focused education and training programmes designed to strengthen person-centred care for people living with dementia.

Investment

Laura Waters, General Manager of Cavan and Monaghan Hospitals, said the developments demonstrate how investment in care environments can improve outcomes and experiences for patients and families.

“The investment in the Willowbridge Ward, together with the new Rehabilitation, Dementia and Remembrance Garden, will enhance dignity, comfort and wellbeing for patients, while reflecting the strong working relationship between Monaghan Hospital and Cavan General Hospital in supporting people to receive the right care in the right setting.”