Strengthening Collaboration in Specialist Palliative Care
The Technology and Transformation Community Business Analysis (BA) team, in collaboration with Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services and Milford Care Centre, hosted a Specialist Palliative Care (SPC) Workshop on 11th December 2024, at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise. The event aimed to expand understanding of SPC patient care processes nationally while engaging SPC providers in the shaping a future Clinical Management System (CMS).
Opening and Purpose
The workshop was opened by Dr Lucy Balding, member of the National Steering Group and Consultant in Palliative Medicine at OLH&CS, who welcomed attendees and provided an overview of the SPC-CMS project to date. Dr Balding spoke about the importance of uniting clinical and administrative workflows into a cohesive system that reflects the diverse needs of SPC services nationwide. Following this, Patrick Keaveny, Senior Business Analyst with Technology and Transformation, set out the structure and expectations for the day, emphasising that open dialogue and collaborative engagement were essential to the workshop and the wider project’s success.
Interactive Sessions and Insights
The day was structured to encourage active participation and meaningful exchanges among attendees. Mixed tables brought together representatives from different SPC providers, fostering diverse perspectives and shared learning. Each table reviewed process maps already collected by the BA team from MCC and OLH&CS palliative care services (Phase 1 sites). These processes were chosen as a representative sample of current key SPC workflows. Facilitators from the Phase 1 sites guided the conversations, while Business Analysts collated exceptions and insights as attendees identified differences in processes presented. The focus was on managing by exception, highlighting key variances rather than commonalities.
The process maps, shared in advance, allowed attendees to prepare by consulting with relevant parties within their own sites. Over six sessions, attendees examined and discussed 28 different process maps, presenting their findings to the wider group after each session. The room was a hive of activity as attendees shared insights, contributing to a collective understanding of SPC delivery across Ireland.
Key Learning Points
- Some differences in SPC delivery were identified, reflecting localised practices and priorities, which are natural and valuable to acknowledge.
- Core patient care processes were found to be largely consistent nationwide, providing a strong foundation for a unified CMS.
The enthusiasm and collaboration in the room underscored the commitment of SPC providers to improving care delivery and supporting the CMS project.
Closing and Next Steps
The workshop was a significant step in socialising the SPC-CMS project with providers across the country. The feedback gathered will now be analysed and collated to inform the design of a future CMS, ensuring it aligns with the realities of SPC delivery nationally. Importantly, this workshop marks only the beginning of an ongoing process. Engagement and collaboration with SPC providers will remain central as the CMS project progresses. Together, this shared vision will enhance the delivery of palliative care services and ensure the system meets the needs of providers and patients alike.
