Future of Integrated Care in Ireland

Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Future of Integrated Care in Ireland: HSE holds Modernised Care Pathways Implementation Workshop at RCSI

As part of the HSE’s commitment to improve access to scheduled care services, a Modernised Care Pathways implementation workshop takes place today (Tuesday, 23rd May 2023) at the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (RCSI).

The event, ‘Future of Integrated Care in Ireland: Modernised Care Pathways Implementation Workshop’, will provide an opportunity for peer-to-peer engagement and for those responsible for the implementation of the new pathways to gather and share their experiences, knowledge and lessons learned.

There are 36 modernised care pathways across 15 specialties that have been approved for roll-out this year. The phased implementation of these pathways has already commenced with priority focus on specialties with the most significant waiting lists. The first priority will be on developing virtual fracture clinics, localised integrated eye care teams, and community-based multidisciplinary urology teams.

Deirdre McNamara, Director Strategic Programmes, HSE, said: “We’re delighted to hold this event to share the excellent work of various sites across the country who have already been able to demonstrate proof-of-concept of some of the modernised care pathways. Today’s event is an opportunity for colleagues to learn from each other about the significant outcomes achieved to date. The overwhelmingly positive response we have had to this event is a testament to the commitment of healthcare professionals and the service at large to embrace new modalities in integrated care.”

Workshop participants will learn about how these innovative modernised care pathways are centring services in the community, creating increased opportunities for advanced clinical practice for nursing and allied health professionals, and utilising technology to alleviate some of the pressure on acute hospitals.

Presentations by National Clinical Leads and Advisors as well as a variety of local healthcare professionals from around the country will ensure a diversity of perspectives will be heard. The agenda also include a keynote speaker from the World Health Organisation’s European Observatory on Health Systems, Dr Ewout van Ginneken, who will provide an evidence-based view on the reform of integrated care across Europe.

In Budget 2023, the Government allocated €123m to the 2023 Waiting List Plan, including funding of €43 million on a recurrent basis for the HSE to implement modernised care pathways. The pathways introduce integrated models of care across acute and community settings and support sustainable improvement by broadening points of access to specialty care and closing the capacity gaps in specialties and hospitals, while addressing long scheduled care waiting lists.

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer (CCO), HSE, added: “Modernised Care Pathways are a key milestone in healthcare reform. Designed by our National Clinical Programmes, the pathways will broaden the points of access to healthcare, ensuring that patients are seen earlier and progress through a simplified journey towards definitive treatment, often within the Community alone. The pathways are consistent with Sláintecare principles, ensuring patients are seen in a more timely manner and by a healthcare team that transcends hospital-community barriers.”