The aim of the HSE Patient Flow Academy is to improve patient flow by supporting staff to identify, define and improve processes, pathways and systems for the safe and timely delivery of care. This is driven by a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and sharing of what works well for sites.
Patient Flow Academy Conference 2024
The theme of this HSE conference in the Gibson Hotel on November 13 is ‘Changing Outcomes, Improving Together.’
Patient Flow Academy Conference 2024
Excellence Awards
The Patient Flow Academy, in collaboration with the Spark Innovation Programme, were delighted to introduce the Patient Flow Academy Excellence Awards.
This initiative seeks to recognise and celebrate projects completed over the last five years which have improved patient flow. This initiative offers awards of up to €5,000.
We were particularly interested in projects related to the following priority areas:
- Integrated Operations
- Demand and Capacity Management/Analysis
- Ward Processes
- Integrated Discharge Processes
- Older Persons and Frailty
- Length of Stay Reduction
We also welcomed applications for other projects related to patient flow. The application deadline is 30 September COB.
Projects awarded funding are invited to the HSE Patient Flow Academy conference on 13 November. Successful applicants were requested to submit a project synopsis for inclusion on the HSE Patient Flow Academy webpage. For further details please visit Patient Flow Academy Conference 2024.
Patient Flow Academy Excellence Awards Guide (PDF, size 513 KB, 6 pages)
Resources about Patient Flow
A number of resources, including videos from different sites, are being developed.
Webinars about Patient Flow for HSE staff
A series of Patient Flow Academy webinars for HSE staff are being organised as part of this work and are open to all operational and front-line clinical staff across acute and community services with an interest in patient flow.
Individual presentations and videos
Operational Control, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise
Operational Control MRHP (PDF, size 372 KB, 8 pages)
This presentation by John Joyce (General Manager, MRHP) focuses on the management of operational control in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, a model 3 hospital. Operational Control, MRHP (youtube.com)
Cohorting Pilot Project, Galway University Hospital
Cohorting Pilot Project GUH (PDF, size 1.7 MB, 12 pages)
This presentation by Maria Molloy (Deputy General Manager, GUH) focuses on the planning, delivery and outcomes achieved in the cohorting pilot project in Galway University Hospital. Cohorting Pilot Project, GUH (youtube.com)
Integrated Operations, GRO UHK - University Hospital Kerry Site Improvement
GRO UHK (PDF, size 549 KB, 16 pages)
This presentation by Carol Mannix (Director of Nursing, UHK) focuses on the GRO UHK site improvement programme which aims to grow and further develop UHK in order to provide the optimal service to patients and ensure UHK as a workplace is optimised. Integrated Operations, GRO UHK - UHK Site Improvement (youtube.com)
Patient Flow - Everyone’s Business across an End-to-End Pathway of Care
Patient Flow Everyones Business across and End to End Pathway (PDF, size 838 KB, 8 pages)
This presentation by Des Mulligan (Head of Service Older Persons, Community Healthcare West) discussed the importance of patient flow across an end-to-end pathway with a particular focus on older persons. Patient Flow - Everyone’s Business across an End-to-End Pathway of Care (youtube.com)
Leadership Development
To develop competent and capable leaders who are able to drive, achieve and sustain improvements.
Staff engagement and training
To develop staff awareness, knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding patient flow as part of a whole system approach.
Integrated working and knowledge transfer
To develop communities of practice which facilitates integrated working, sharing of best practice and knowledge transfer.
Innovation and transformation supports
To provide a suite of best practice resources and toolkits alongside practical supports to enable transformation.
Monitoring and evaluation
To monitor and evaluate the impact of the Patient Flow Academy including national and local patient flow improvement initiatives to support evidence based practice.
The underlying principles of the Patient Flow Academy are as follows;
- Patient at the centre of the academy
- Promote patient flow as "everyone’s responsibility".
- Connecting top down and bottom-up approaches to drive a culture of quality improvement to patient flow
- Collaborating through an integrated whole system approach
- Building staff capability through empowerment and engagement
- Supporting and evaluating innovations
The next steps for the Patient Flow Academy include the following:
- Develop and deliver a programme of work;
- Establish the governance structure;
- Start with a small dedicated national team.
