The commitment of the Sisters of Bon Secours is the foundation on which Bon Secours Health System is built. Bon Secours means "good help" in French. Just after the French Revolution, when France was in a state of upheaval and devastation and all that was institutional was being rejected, twelve young women living in Paris became aware of the great need to care for the sick and dying in their own homes. Unlike other carers, they remained in the home both day and night, demonstrating God's healing presence by their compassionate care. The group chose Josephine Potel as their leader and in 1824 the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours was founded in Paris. In 1861 the Sisters arrived in Ireland where they continued the Mission of caring for the sick and dying in their own homes. As the service grew and healthcare began to change in Ireland, the Sisters opened a number of hospitals. Following is a snapshot of key dates in the Bon Secours story:-
The Mission Lived Today Each January 24th, BSHS celebrates its Foundation; in this it marks all the years of ‘Good Help’ provided for the sick, the dying and their families, within a Catholic ethos. Since 1824, the hospitals have changed, the equipment is more modern, medicine and procedures are far more advanced, but the Care still continues, delivered by nearly 3000 staff. That ‘care’ is BSHS Mission in action; BSHS translates its care for the sick, and for its staff, into action every day through the living out of its seven core values. Every day this Mission of care happens without staff or patients being aware of it; patients experience it through the welcome they receive when they come to be admitted. They experience it in eye contact, through caring touch, through friendly and courteous greetings, and tone of voice. They experience respect for their dignity, professional quality care, delivered with compassion. This happens every day across Bon Secours Health System; it is something that we in BSHS never take for granted. In BSHS, whether staff work directly with patients or not, they know that they are all part of their care, because all of our staff make up the Bon Secours Health System family. Every day, the staff bring BSHS Core Values alive in the way in which they approach their work, the patients, their families and each other.
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