Technology & Transformation GM Forum 2025: A Collaborative Approach to Progress
The first Technology & Transformation (TT) GM Forum of 2025 brought together General Managers (GMs) from across TT programmes to discuss key achievements, challenges, and opportunities in healthcare transformation. This forum provided a valuable platform for peers to connect, share insights, and align on strategic priorities for the year ahead.
Keynote Address
The day began with an engaging keynote address from Mellany McLoone, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, (IHA) Dublin North City and West. Mellany emphasised the importance of peoplecentric leadership and collaboration in healthcare. She spoke about her career journey, highlighting the critical role of valuing and empowering staff to deliver high-quality services.
A central theme of her address was the need to reduce fragmentation in healthcare delivery. Patients often must repeat their medical history multiple times, which can be frustrating and inefficient. Mellany highlighted the opportunity to leverage digital transformation and integrated care models to streamline patient experiences and improve service efficiency. Mellany also reflected on the progress made in community services and the importance of continued investment in this area. Virtual wards and integrated care pathways have played a crucial role in reducing hospital admissions, saving thousands of bed days, and improving patient outcomes. Additionally, she underscored the need for strong leadership to navigate change effectively and ensure sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.
Following the keynote, the focus shifted to operational updates from the GM’s, showcasing the progress made across TT initiatives. Throughout the discussion, a strong emphasis was placed on advancing digital transformation, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and improving service delivery across healthcare systems. We have 7 sites live on the new national wireless network with 113 sites ready for the cabling stage, which will take varying amounts of time to complete depending on the size of the site. The integration of the TT functional risk register with the enterprise risk management system is set to provide stronger governance and oversight, while the establishment of a cyber risk review board will enhance protection against emerging threats. Significant strides have been made in leveraging technology to improve patient care. Virtual wards have proven highly effective, to date saving 4,000 bed days and treating 650 patients remotely, helping to alleviate hospital pressures. Investment in AI and automation is also advancing, with the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (COE) to lead innovation in these areas. Additionally, digital identity and authentication improvements, such as the onboarding of 17,000 users to the Single Sign-On (SSO) system, illustrate the reach and scalability of TT’s initiatives.
Another key milestone discussed was the upcoming launch of the HSE Health App on March 25th. Furthermore, operational efficiency improvements were highlighted, including the migration of the INOR to a new audit platform, enhancing compliance and oversight.
These collective efforts demonstrate TT’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions, streamlining processes, and fostering innovation to drive meaningful improvements in healthcare. In addition to highlighting successes, the forum provided an opportunity to discuss some of the ongoing challenges and potential areas for improvement. Workforce planning emerged as a central concern, with an emphasis on the need for robust succession strategies to accommodate a multi-generational workforce and ensure leadership continuity. Additionally, resource allocation remains a challenge, with difficulties in backfilling roles affecting team capacity and data integrity. The conversation also acknowledged the impact of remote work on team dynamics, particularly for new recruits who may struggle with integration and engagement. Ensuring a strong support system and mentorship opportunities was identified as a key focus area. Another important discussion point was the reliance on key individuals within teams, which can create operational bottlenecks. Encouraging knowledge sharing and broader skill distribution was stressed as a solution to this challenge. Despite ongoing political shifts, the reassurance was given that TT’s longterm projects remain a priority, ensuring stability and continuity. Overall, the forum underscored the importance of proactive problem-solving, crossfunctional collaboration, and clear strategic direction in navigating these challenges effectively.
The forum concluded with a forwardlooking discussion on the collective vision for TT in 2025. Attendees reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, digital innovation, and continuous service improvement. By leveraging the lessons from successful initiatives, such as virtual wards and Single Sign On, TT aims to drive meaningful advancements in patient care and operational efficiency. The Technology & Transformation team is excited to build on the momentum from this forum and continue working together to implement the insights gained. With a clear focus on digital enablement, workforce development, and patient-centred care, 2025 promises to be a transformative year for TT and the wider healthcare system.
