Yearly Archives: 2016

Our relatively new model of directorates is now old and we need to replace it with an integrated care model. The question is how we do that, given that different directorates have different areas of responsibility, funding, resources and control, writes Derek Greene.

LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice is the realisation of the shared vision of The Children’s Sunshine Home Hospice Project, launched in 2005, and The LauraLynn Foundation, established in 2001 by Jane and Brendan McKenna after their daughters, four year-old Laura and 13 year-old Lynn, died within two years of each other, writes Sharon Morrow, Chief Executive Officer, LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.

One of the country’s most experienced health managers has called for a re-configuration of health services based on patient needs and the introduction of a standardised activity based reimbursement system linked to the location where services are delivered. Maureen Browne reports.

The lessons I have learned are very apt for managing services and it seems we are doomed to fail unless good people in the frontline are able to escape from the never ending treadmill, writes Dr. Peter Lachman.

HOPE, the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation, was founded in 1966. I was actively involved in HOPE, as head of the Irish delegation, for over 20 years up until 2004, writes Denis Doherty.

In the Netherlands patients are not allowed to leave hospital without health insurance, in Denmark, you can only attend hospital by referral from a GP or the out-of-hours service, while in Finland an average of 88% of people claim to be satisfied with their health service, compared with the EU average of 41.3%. Maureen Browne reports.

Mediation is an effective way of resolving conflicts at work, Maura Keaveney Costello, Director Conflict Management Services, told the HMI West Forum. Maureen Browne reports.

Staff Surveys are very powerful tools when used effectively. They help to understand the opinions of staff. However, they are blunt instruments when used in organisations without the expertise to use them to the full potential, writes Conor Hannaway.

Health managers may be interested in these events.

A strong and vibrant HMI

HMI Leaders Award 2016 HSE Expected To Fine Hospitals “Dr. Lucy” takes Tallaght by storm Follow up inspections for one fifth of hospitals Mediator appointed in governance row European Bank invests €70 million in primary care centres Masters in Human Factors in Patient Safety New Neurology Research & Assessment Unit Digital connection for all HSE staff CEO of ISQua Patients are malnourished New cross border service HSE Interim Deputy DG Nursing Board Chief Executive Clinical Programme for Self Harm Management HIQA’s 2016 – 2018 Corporate Plan Increasing number of transplants Saving up to 30 lives annually Almost 90% of adult CF patients had an exacerbation in a year Go-ahead for children’s hospital Tackling healthcare infections Nine out of ten health professionals have clean hands Global CEO of Special Olympics Drop in Irish abortion rates

The new Minister, Simon Harris was fast out of the traps following his appointment to the Health portfolio in the new Fine Gael minority government. Maureen Browne reports.

Four new Ministers of State have been appointed to the Department of Health.

The Department of Health now has an 11 member Management Board, consisting of the Secretary General, two Deputy Secretaries, six Assistant Secretaries, a Chief Medical Officer and a Chief Nursing Officer.

We need to change the public conversation about healthcare in Ireland from “where does all the money go in health” to “how much extra can we afford to invest in health to get the services we want,” Mr. Stephen Mulvany, Chief Financial Officer and Interim Deputy Director General of the HSE, told the HMI South Regional Forum in Cork on April 12. Maureen Browne reports.

Outstanding leaders maintain a positive, “can-do” sense of confidence, which enables them to be shapers rather than followers, Elaine Way, Chief Executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland) told a packed HMI West Forum in An Clochar, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. Maureen Browne reports.

Clinical leadership was associated with better patient outcomes and should be valued and supported, Dr. Julie McCarthy, HSE National Clinical Lead, Clinical Director Programme, Quality Improvement Division told the HMI South Forum in University College, Cork, this month, Maureen Browne reports.

Of course, health services managers should be as accountable as other professionals working in our health services. Having said that, what would a fully developed accountability system look like?

One of the major challenges facing the ambulance services is balancing patient outcomes with target times, Damien McCallion, HSE National Director responsible for ambulance services tells Maureen Browne.

The HSE has developed an action plan to address the 17 recommendations in the National Ambulance Service of Ireland, Emergency Services Baseline and Capacity Review.