Hundreds of healthcare staff, patients and communities across Cork and Kerry came together last week to take part in HSE South West’s 2025 ‘Gathering of Kindness’, three heartwarming events focusing on placing kindness at the heart of healthcare.
The events took place at Cork University Hospital, St Mary’s Healthcare Campus Gurranabraher, and University Hospital Kerry. As HSE South West transforms to make Cork and Kerry communities proud of their health services, we were learning together how kindness, respect and human connection improves healthcare outcomes. Over three days, people took part in talks, performances and wellness activities - all designed to make kindness an organising principle of healthcare.
Dr Andy Phillips, Regional Executive Officer, HSE South West, said: “HSE staff across Cork and Kerry came together in a very successful Gathering of Kindness. I have personally benefited from the kindness of our communities across Cork and Kerry and am humbled by the kindness shown by our healthcare staff, often working in challenging situations.
“I am very aware that I need to make sure that our health system shows organisational kindness to our staff and to patients, holding myself accountable to the commitments we have made. In this year’s Gathering of Kindness, many people came together with a shared purpose of putting in place health services that, increasingly, have no-one waiting on a trolley, or waiting a long time for an appointment.
“I am very grateful to our distinguished presenters, including Dr James Mountford, Editor, BMJ Leader; Professor Brian Dolan, known for his work on valuing patient’s time and to Professor Cath Crock, who started the kindness movement in health 25 years ago. We all enjoyed the Hush Foundation music played by the Cork Band 1 Brigade and local musicians at CUH, as well as the plays performed by Graffiti Theatre Company at each venue.”
- At Cork University Hospital, there were discussions on embedding intentional kindness in daily work.
- At St Mary’s Healthcare Campus in Gurranabraher, the local community gathered outdoors in the sun for food, wellness sessions, art activities and a tree-planting ceremony, celebrating kindness and wellbeing.
- At University Hospital Kerry, the Kindness Tent on campus was a space for creativity and learning - with discussions, theatre performances, music and conversations about kindness in healthcare.
At the Gathering of Kindness, staff and patients shared experiences, stories and inspiring ideas on leadership, workplace culture and the impact of kindness across healthcare settings.
Professor Dr Catherine Crock. AM. Founder of Hush and Gathering of Kindness said: “Kindness is fundamental to positive relationships in healthcare. HSE South West’s Gathering of Kindness is a reminder that acts of kindness, respect, and human connection ripple outward, improving care for patients, wellbeing for staff and strengthening our communities.
“Seeing this movement embraced across Cork and Kerry is inspiring. Together we can make kindness a daily reality in every hospital and healthcare setting. Kindness makes healthcare safer for everyone.”
Last updated on: 21 / 05 / 2025
