Social Work Service MUH
Role of the Medical Social Work Service to the Emergency Department
- We have a dedicated social worker available Monday - Friday, 08:30
to 13:00 hours. Referral book is at reception desk.
- A senior social worker is available during office hours Monday - Friday.
Elderly
- Comprise 12% of population, 26% of all admissions to acute hospitals
- Many elderly people attending Emergency Departments need both emotional and physical support
- The social worker can, on the patients behalf, activate community
services, which may reduce risk of acute admission
- Medical social workers' role also includes identifying early, those
patients who may need long term care
Children at Risk
- All staff, particularly Emergency Department staff, must be alert
to the indicators of actual or potential child abuse
- In such circumstances the medical social worker liaises with HSE South social work colleagues
- The medical social worker has an obligation to tell the parents
that a risk assessment will be done
- New childcare legislation covers all children up to the age of 18
- All patients under the age of 18 who are homeless or have
attempted DSH must be referred
Domestic violence
