Students and HSE team up

A Cork city college has been successful in creating promotional content for the HSE to outline a service allowing patients to receive intravenous treatments in their home.

Cork College of Further Education and Training was approached by Out Patient Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) nurses Liz Forde and Fiona Guidera based in Mercy University Hospital, who proposed an initiative to outline the Irish OPAT experience for patients.

OPAT is a national HSE service facilitating patients who are clinically well to complete a prescribed intravenous (IV) antimicrobial treatment safely and effectively in the comfort of their own home. Using different media to inform, engage and inspire confidence to enrol for OPAT, students at Cork College of Further Education produced promotional content to highlight and promote their services for the HSE website.

Students produced an infographics animated video explaining the service, as well as three interview-style short videos with medical professionals.

A spokesperson for the college said: “The constant communication with a client and the experience of being part of a creative team, not only enhanced their skills and knowledge of their area, but it also gave them a taste of the demands and delights of working on a professional project.”

“They now have a professional showcase for their CVs and an experience to talk about in job or college interviews.

“Our client, the HSE, are extremely happy with the work produced and have asked to collaborate again in the future. The work produced is already being used in the hospital,” concluded the Cork College of Further Education and Training spokesperson.