Social Services Department at the Medical Center
Head of department: Ms. Odelia Sharon
Social Services Department at the Medical Center
Hospitalization and conditions of illness challenge the patient and their family, not only in coping with the disease itself and its consequences, but much beyond that: the safe routine is disrupted, there is worry and concern, limitations and pain. We influence the condition of the patient and his environment. The state of dependence on others and the feeling that ‘the ground of life is less stable’ during illness evoke anxiety in the patient, and a need to seek psychological assistance.
The social system at the hospital is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team, and it complements the medical and nursing care, through an awareness and understanding of the importance of emotional relief and its impact on mental health, the family and their environment.
The social staff at the hospital is skilled in pinpointing distress, employing treatment intervention methods to reduce distress and prevent suffering in the patient and those around him. The service provided places an emphasis on the patient’s personal strengths, and works to strengthen emotional resilience, empowering the individual to feel a sense of independence and creating a balance in the new routine of life. The social services team will accompany and assist in the treatment and recovery process, mediate between the patient, the family, and the medical team, and refer for continued community care if necessary.
Our main fields of response
• Obtaining the patient's signature on a consent form whichi is required before hospitalization in the hospital and before any invasive procedure such as surgery or an examination involving the introduction of substances into the body, blood transfusion, and similar actions.
• Systemic accessibility - mediation between the patient, the family and the medical staff, and the community. Operating with a systemic perspective that a person's environment affects their life.
• Patient rights - Providing information and assistance in exercising rights for eligible patients (for example: dialysis patients, cancer patients, individuals requiring full nursing care, etc.).
Our Vision
The Social Service is committed to upholding the values of preserving human dignity and the sanctity of life, striving for excellence and professionalism, and caring for optimal health and quality of life for patients.
Kol Rina ViYeshua Organization
During the afternoons, the organization's volunteers distribute sandwiches to family members who are looking after their loved ones. In addition, the organization's volunteers assist families in looking after a sick child or adult.
Our commitment
The Social Service is committed to upholding the values of preserving human dignity and the sanctity of life, striving for excellence and professionalism, and caring for optimal health and quality of life for patients.
Quality and innovation
by aspiring to the maximum excellence of the staff in all areas of activity, the Social Service is constantly updated with innovative treatment methods and professional tools for the benefit of the patients and the quality of treatment.
Academic and research activity
The Department of Social Services is engaged in training students from the School of Social Work at the University of Haifa - Mivchar College. In addition, the department operates a learning center for students and enables the enrichment of professional knowledge alongside group guidance during the training period. The team of social workers participates in regular staff meetings as part of the service, participating in further education courses and external studies, depending on the field of activity and professional interest. The Social Service promotes collaborations, conferences and seminars on a variety of topics for the community.
Patient information
The social service offers support and assistance to all patients in the hospital and their families, especially:
• Patients dealing with serious illnesses, terminal illnesses, chronic illnesses or disabilities.
• Populations with special needs: children, the elderly, the helpless, lone patients, Holocaust survivors, addicts and the homeless.
• Women during pregnancy and transitioning to parenthood, women following miscarriage, and women who turn to the Pregnancy Termination Committee.
• Mass casualty events, and national emergency.
• Trauma patients – domestic violence, sexual assaults, car accidents, work accidents, home accidents.
• Underprivileged populations – foreign workers, and those without residency status.
• Mental Health – children, adults and the elderly.
• The staff providing the service participates the training the hospital’s multidisciplinary staff – clinical, nursing and health personnel – on relevant social-emotional issues.
- Emotional preparation for complex medical treatments: surgeries, invasive tests, preparing a child for surgery and accompanying them.
- Improvement of the patient’s and his family’s skills in coping with illness/hospitalization, with respect to the functional, emotional, social and behavioral aspects involved.
- Appointment of a guardian for physical issues requiring approval for urgent medical action.
- Assistance and advice for appointing a proxy in accordance with the provisions of the Dying Patient Law.
- Access to information for the patient and his family, regarding the rights and services provided in the hospital and in the community.
- Planning discharge from the hospital to a home setting or alternative hospitalization in the community (rehabilitation, institutional housing or nursing home, hospice).
- Operating an information center and psychosocial support in emergency situations and mass casualty incidents (MCIs).
- Coordination and referral to appropriate community and social bodies (welfare services and volunteer services) for the reorganization of the patient and his family.
- First Class Service
Assistance for hospitalized patients who are entitled to receive a disability pension, a stipend for special services or for a disabled child The “First Class” patients receive priority treatment in order to allow a decision to be made by the National Insurance Institute regarding their case. The service is provided by the social workers in the departments and institutes.
- Odelia Sharon – M.S.W. Head of Social Services – Department of Emergency Medicine (general), and Gynecology
- Haya Kukis – M.S.W Obstetric ER, Delivery Rooms, Maternity Wards A, B, and Neonatal
- Nurit Ben Yitzchak – B.S.W Surgery, Orthopedics – Ear, Nose and Throat
- Feigi Nachshon – M.S.W. Pediatric ER, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care
- Shoshi Rotlevy – B.S.W Internal
- Linor Darshan – B.S.W Gynecology, At-Risk Pregnancies, and Premature Babies
- Sherry Barit – B.S.W. Dialysis and Bariatrics
- Rivki Cramer – B.S.W General Intensive Care, Cardiac Intensive Card, and Internal Intensive Care
Important telephone numbers
Association for Patient Rights in Israel
Telephone: 03-6022934, Sun-Thu 10:00-14:00
Emergency hotline for victims of domestic violence
Telephone: 1-800-220-000
The Public Acceptance Commission for the State Health Law
Telephone: * 5400
Ministry for Senior Citizens
Telephone: *8840
Holocaust Survivor Welfare Fund
Telephone: 03-6090866
Advice service for the elderly at the National Insurance Institute
Telephone: 02-6463400, *9696
About the Social Service