HSE Press Release
Friday, 26 January 2024
‘The right care in the right place at the right time’
The HSE is rolling out new ways of working across community and hospital settings that are allowing patients to access high quality care closer to home and reducing overall waiting times for many healthcare services.
These new modernised care pathways will provide service users with access to care by specialist community teams where appropriate, freeing consultant capacity to see patients most in need in a timelier manner.
Beneficial impacts include:
- Patients able to access routine care services locally via their GP and community teams
- Patients are seen in a more timely manner in line with best practice
- Improved patient experience, with easier access to appointments and a reduction in the number of appointments which the patient needs to attend
- Telehealth options and digital innovations made more available for use when appropriate
- Healthcare professionals being empowered to work to the top of their current grade with supported continuous professional development training, ensuring the highest quality of care is delivered to all patients/service users.
Meeting the teams delivering ophthalmology, urology, orthopaedics, nephrology and diabetes care to patients in this new and innovative way at St Vincent’s University Hospital today, Minister Donnelly, said: “I am delighted to visit St Vincent’s University Hospital to see first-hand how patients are accessing integrated care in a high quality setting.
“This is creating new access points for patients to healthcare that often have the longest waiting lists. We are now ensuring that patients can be seen faster and progress through our health service in a more integrated way. Ensuring they have fewer overall visits to a hospital.
“These new care pathways have also reduced overall waiting times for many health care services across our hospitals as patients, who need scheduled-care move from our hospitals to community based care closer to their own homes.”
Deirdre McNamara, Director, HSE Strategic Programmes Office (SPO), explained: “By streamlining referral processes, embracing new tools in e-healthcare and allowing for more care to be delivered in the community by advanced nurse practitioners and health and social care professionals, modernised care pathways will help reduce waiting lists and improve the quality of patient care.”
Dr Colm Henry, HSE Chief Clinical Officer, added that “Modernised care pathways are a key milestone in healthcare reform and are consistent with Sláintecare principles. These pathways enable timely access to healthcare teams that are integrated across hospitals and the community. Reforms like these would not be possible without a highly capable and dedicated workforce of healthcare professionals who are committed to improving patient experience and outcomes.”
Meanwhile, Prof Michael Keane, Interim CEO at St. Vincent's University Hospital, expressed his enthusiasm for the transformative impact of Modernised Care Pathways. "St. Vincent's University Hospital is proud to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation through our Modernised Care Pathways. These pathways not only enhance patient experiences but also significantly contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. Our dedicated team is committed to providing the best care possible, and we are grateful for the support of Minister Donnelly in recognising our efforts."
Last updated on: 26 / 01 / 2024
