Patient partnerships were an important and valuable resource for the HSE. Ensuring the voices and experiences of people with lived experiences were heard, and enabled to have real and meaningful impact on the design, delivery and evaluation of healthcare services was essential, the HSE Patient and Public Partnership Conference 2024, “Changing patient outcomes, one partnership at a time,” concluded.
This was the second annual HSE Patient and Public Partnership Conference. It was organised by the HSE, in partnership with patient partnership groups including the HSE National Patients’ Forum.
Patient partner and disabilities advocate, Joan Johnston, said she got involved because as a patient partner it was rewarding to see her voice reflected in service improvement and the changes that have been made. “I feel that I am helping to change the perception of patient partners and the unique capacity and drive we have to work across the health system to improve the experience of those who come after us. This is not a one-woman campaign of change, it is being achieved by every patient partner when they contribute their lived experience perspective in the context of continuous service improvement. Patient partnership and the culture change we need to enable it, will be achieved by working together to improve services, one committee at a time,” she said.
Looking ahead, HSE CEO, Bernard Gloster said, ‘‘A key focus of the HSE in 2024 has been the development and approval of patient partnership structures as part of the health regions. A partnership proposal was developed by patient representatives in collaboration with HSE staff which sets out what should be happening around patient partnership in each HSE region. The focus is now on working with the six HSE Regional Executive Officers to implement this proposal, and embed partnership in the functioning of the new health regions.
“Partnership with patients and others with lived experience must be built into the foundation of how we work across our health system and broader health sector. This is a work in progress that requires a conscious cultural shift, but we are fully committed to our patient partnerships as we work together to make a positive and lasting impact on our health service.’’
Speaking about her work on the health regions partnership structures, Laura Kavanagh, IPPOSI (Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science & Industry) said, “We have been involved in building the partnership structures from the very start. The health regions programme teams have been great. They have sat, listened, convened workshops, drafted and redrafted proposals, and a whole partnership ‘blueprint’ has been developed which sets out what should be happening at a regional and national level.
“Our focus is now on collaborating with the new Regional Executive Officers to implement this proposal and embed partnership in the functioning of the new health regions from the very start. Change is not a quick thing, and it’s really hard to break new ground. It’s all about gathering people around you, bringing expertise, empathy, energy and enthusiasm. Together we can get small wins along the way towards achieving the bigger picture. Patient partnership initiatives are currently taking place across the Irish health sector, but in different ways and with varying degrees of success. This is an evolving collaboration.’’
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said, “As we continue to modernise our health service, partnering with patients is central to shaping our work. I fully support the work being progressed by the HSE Patient and Service User Forum and the HSE’s Patient and Service User Experience Office to build and embed strong public and patient partnerships to drive improvements. Much has been achieved since last year’s conference and it is important that we all continue to work together to build a truly person-centred health service.
“We have reorganised the HSE into six health regions to bring services closer to people’s homes. This will mean that our services can be more responsive to our patients and their needs and help staff to make timely decisions about their care. I welcome the HSE’s development of the patient partnership model, and that each Health Region will now have the right mechanisms in place to include the voice and experience of patients in how we design and deliver our health and social care services.”
Thanking patient partners for their ongoing work and commitment to improving health services, HSE National Director, Public Involvement, Culture and Risk Management, Joe Ryan said, ‘‘We are committed to changing and improving how we involve patient partners in co-designing health service projects to improve services. As part of this work, we are developing internal policies to give life to the Partnership Strategy, including guidance on when patient partners are included and how partners are identified, selected and supported. We are fully focused on listening to the patient experience and partnering with those with this experience. I want to thank the many patient partners who continue to work with staff across the health service. By sharing their lived experiences and working in partnership with HSE staff ultimately improves health services for everyone.’’
