I am part of a cross-functional team working on the Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Care Record programme. The programme is a major digital transformation initiative within the HSE, focused on supporting the transition from paper-based and disjointed local processes to more standardised, joined-up digital ways of working across community services.
The Community Care Record programme is vast and spans technical, operational and structural issues. The integration of data and the implementation of a new system to capture data is an enormous challenge. Ultimately, patient safety is the number-one consideration at all times in any part of this project, and all workstreams recognise this priority.
I work to bridge the gap between clinical/operational staff and technical teams
Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services (OLH&CS) provides specialist care for a catchment of more than one million people. We serve a wide range of needs, from residential rehabilitation to end-of-life care. Our locations in Harold’s Cross, Blackrock and Wicklow collectively provide 63 inpatient beds, while we also support thousands of patients in the community through our specialist community palliative care teams across south Dublin and Wicklow.
As a business analyst, I work to bridge the gap between clinical/operational staff and technical teams. The goal is to help design and deliver a better experience for those availing of OLH&CS services locally and the Community Care Record programme nationally.
The role is varied and I am currently feeding into various workstreams such as data reporting, data migration and system configuration. I see the role as quite fluid, progressing into areas such as controls, reporting and assisting with future roll-outs once the programme goes live.
I have experience of end-to-end system implementation in past positions and enjoy bringing my knowledge to various teams – specifically in relation to data input, output and controls. Specific to my role, ensuring staff understand and appreciate what the new system will do for them locally in their day-to-day role, and how we can improve their work practices in tandem with being confident to use the system to its best capabilities, is the main challenge currently.
I like to sing in a local choir; it’s a joyful way to participate and connect
I became ACCA while working in financial services. The qualification gave me the credentials and confidence to have a career of over 15 years in financial services, where I worked for major players such as BlackRock, State Street and Mercer. I refined a wide range of skills such as analysing business requirements, improving processes and implementing changes – all of which are now applicable to my current role.
Community is important to me. When I am not ferrying my two young children to their sports and hobbies, I like to sing in a local choir; it’s a joyful way to participate and connect.
The most important business lesson I have learned in my career is the value of strong communication skills. The ability to communicate clearly is invaluable in every sphere you operate in. My extensive experience of engaging with various stakeholders has honed my skillset and enables me to translate sometimes complex requirements into actionable solutions.
