"I know from my own personal experience that positive changes can happen when you get the chance to work in real partnership with HSE staff and teams. It can be a ‘win win’ for everybody but especially for patients, families and communities,” according to Anne Lawlor, Chair of HSE Patient Forum and long-time active patient advocate and founder of 22q11 charity Ireland, speaking ahead of the inaugural HSE National Conference on Patient and Public Partnership that brought together patient advocates, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders.

The conference was organised by the HSE in partnership with patient partnership groups including the HSE’s National Patient and Service User Forum, the Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI) and Patients for Patient Safety Ireland.

Anne outlined how, to her, “partnership is incredibly important. I believe there is a real commitment within the HSE now to work in partnership with patients. There are still many frustrations but I do think that things are improving. I was recently the patient representative on the interview panel to appoint a new HSE Assistant National Director for Patient Service User Engagement (PSUE).

“It is important to me that patient advocates sit on HSE interview panels for these roles. If the patient voice isn’t represented at every level within health services, far too many assumptions are made. There’s a way to go but I’m confident progress is being made.”      

Patient partnership is a key priority for the HSE and an emphasis is now being placed on how HSE services can partner with patients to ensure patient voices are heard and that the experiences of patients have a real and meaningful impact and influence on the design, delivery and evaluation of services.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the invaluable role that patients and service users play in shaping healthcare delivery, policy development, and organisational governance. A lot of work is underway to increase partnership with patients but much remains to be done.

According to Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO: “We recognise that partnership initiatives are currently taking place across the Irish health sector, but in different ways and with varying degrees of success. We know that common approaches are needed to ensure shared expectations are realised and agreed goals are met.  

“Partnership with patients and service users (and their families, carers, and supporters) will be a cornerstone of how we work across our health system and broader health sector. This requires a cultural shift, but this move is in line with international best practice and offers numerous opportunities. The HSE is committed to partnering with patients to ensure more and more patients influence decisions on the design, delivery and evaluation of health services.” 

Derick Mitchell, CEO of the Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI) noted that they wanted to see “a complete cultural shift around how our health services are designed, developed and delivered. Our members – including patient organisations and individual advocates - want to work with the HSE to ensure actions are taken to work in full partnership with patient representatives and people living in local communities across this country.

“We know that patients and service users provide invaluable insights based on lived experiences, but pre-existing partnership approaches are not sustainable or joined-up. A full partnership approach, supported by sustainable investment in engagement and co-production mechanisms, will enrich health service care, policy, and governance decisions.

“Ultimately this will produce better decision-making that is informed directly by patient voices, needs and preferences. We are delighted to give life to the new approach to partnership, and together with our members, we look forward to engaging with opportunities to partner across the HSE.”

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TDadded that “in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the invaluable role that patients and service users play in shaping health care delivery, policy development, and organisational governance. 

“We know that health service staff working in partnership with patients and the public ultimately delivers better health outcomes. 

“I look forward to taking part in and, ultimately, to working with patients and advocacy groups on the next steps needed to realise the vision in this area. Ultimately partnering with patients and the public calls for patient representatives on boards, advisory panels, strategy working groups, project teams, and hospital councils. It is about demonstrating how our health services listen to the patient and public experience voices and collaborate with those with this experience.”