The fourth annual HSE West Clinical Workshop took place recently at Sligo General Hospital. Despite the rather inclement weather conditions, the workshop brought together General Practitioners from Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and Roscommon, Consultants from Sligo General Hospital along with management representatives from both hospital and community services to discuss a range of commonly encountered conditions and their management.

The aim of this year’s workshop was strengthening the partnership between the acute hospital and primary care services in managing patient care and to provide an innovative forum for debate on the patient journey from community to hospital and vice versa.

Presentations were made on a wide range of themes such as: Early Stroke Management and Thrombolysis, Thyroid Disease, Respiratory Medicine and a range of subjects including General Surgery and Medical Oncology.  Domhnall McLoughlin, Assistant General Manager, Sligo General Hospital opened the workshop and commented on the opportunity the workshop presented for colleagues from primary and hospital services to come together to share experiences and learning, ultimately benefiting patient care.

Mr Naishadh Patil, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Sligo General Hospital commented that the hosting of the workshop for a fourth consecutive year was a testament to its success. He said, “There is a genuine willingness amongst participants to get involved and the event has proven to be of great benefit to both hospital clinicians and their colleagues in the community in terms of enhancing communication between hospitals and the community”.

In closing the day’s proceedings, Dr Michael Coleman, General Practitioner, Tubbercurry also acknowledged the success of the event and emphasised the importance of having a forum to facilitate discussion on areas of mutual interest involving participants from the community and hospital settings.

The workshop provided a forum for debate and discussion on integrated patient care from clinical and managerial perspectives and was an excellent learning and networking opportunity for all involved.

Sponsorship of the event was provided by Roger Towey of Sanofi Aventis.