Welcome from Breda Crehan-Roche, President of the Health Management Institute of Ireland.
Dear Readers,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the June edition of the HMI Journal—an issue that continues to explore one of the most vital themes in today’s healthcare landscape: Collaborative and Compassionate Leadership.
As we navigate increasingly complex and ever-changing health and social care environments, the need for strong, values-driven leadership has never been clearer. Across Ireland and beyond, we are witnessing a powerful shift—one that recognises the importance of empathy, connection, and shared purpose in transforming health systems for the better.
Ireland is not just participating in this global movement—we are helping to shape it. From our work in implementing Sláintecare to our innovations in integrated care and digital transformation, Irish health leaders are demonstrating how compassion and collaboration can lead change, foster resilience, and deliver meaningful impact for both staff and service users.
This edition highlights the people, practices, and ideas driving that transformation. Whether you are a senior executive, a frontline manager, or a future leader, I hope you find inspiration and insight in these pages. Together, we are building a more responsive, inclusive, and human-centred health and social care system—one grounded in leadership that cares.
Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence and compassion in all that you do.
A System Built on Purpose
In reflecting on the purpose of health and social care services, we are reminded of their fundamental mission: to promote, protect, and improve the health and well-being of the population, while ensuring that individuals receive appropriate treatment, care and support when they need it most.
Across Ireland, the delivery of these services is primarily the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE), supported by non-statutory and private organisations, and guided by national strategies such as Sláintecare, which envisions a universal, single-tier health system. As the sector evolves, two pillars are increasingly central to its success: compassionate leadership and ethical innovation.
Key Objectives of Health and Social Care Services
- Providing Accessible Healthcare
- Promoting Public Health
- Supporting Vulnerable Groups
- Enabling Independent Living
- Ensuring Quality and Safety
- Reducing Health Inequalities
The Role of Compassionate Leadership
At the core of effective health and social care delivery is compassionate leadership. This leadership style recognises that people—both staff, patients and service users—are central to the system’s success. Leaders who are empathetic, supportive, and inclusive foster a workplace culture built on trust, collaboration, and psychological safety.
Research consistently shows that compassionate leadership improves staff engagement, reduces burnout, and enhances the quality of care provided. It creates an environment where innovation can thrive, and where the dignity and well-being of both service users and professionals are prioritised.
Innovation with Purpose
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into health and social care is opening new possibilities—from predictive diagnostics to personalised care planning and resource optimisation. Yet, the true value of AI lies not in the technology itself, but in how it is applied.
When guided by ethical principles and a deep understanding of human needs, AI can be a transformative force. But without compassionate, visionary leadership to steer its use, it risks becoming detached from the human context it is meant to serve.
Looking Ahead
Ireland’s health and social care system is on a journey—one that requires both technological advancement and human-centred values. By embedding compassionate leadership at all levels and ensuring innovation is guided by ethics and empathy, we can build a system that is not only more efficient and equitable but also truly caring.
