Earlier today, The National Clinical Programme for Critical Care hosted the National Critical Care Conference, livestreamed from the Printworks in Dublin Castle. The theme of this conference was ‘The Future of Critical Care in Ireland’.
Speaking after the event, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD said: “It was an honour for me to be able to speak today at the National Critical Care Conference on the theme of ‘The Future of Critical Care in Ireland’. Ensuring the right resources are in place for our most critically ill patients is a priority for me and for this government. 2022 will see further investment in the area of critical care. Funding of €10.5m has been provided for an additional critical care beds in 2022 bringing the total to at least 340, an increase of 85 since the start of the pandemic. Having come through the greatest challenge that ever faced our health and social care service, the role of critical care cannot be overstated. The professionalism, resilience, commitment and kindness shown by staff has been incredible.”
Mr. Paul Reid, CEO, HSE also addressed the conference: “Covid-19 continues to be extremely challenging for staff, for patients and for our wider society. The sustained response from our staff is only possible because of the extraordinary commitment, tenacity and courage of an outstanding workforce. Professionalism has been apparent in the performance of every role. For me, that is the hallmark of a workforce that is both united and invested in striving always for excellence. That same workforce is also key to the future and success of critical care in Ireland and for our patients.”
Dr Colm Henry, CCO, HSE added: “The critical care programme’s aim is to improve the survival of critically ill patients. To achieve this, critical care performance improvement and strengthening critical care capability and capacity is central to our future planning.”
The Conference also had a number of Senior Intensive Care Medicine Doctors, Senior Critical Care Nurses and Health and Social Care Professionals outlining the broad view of the multi-disciplinary delivery of critical care to patients in Ireland into the future, through data analysis and workforce planning based on experiences, particularly learnings from Covid over the past 2 years.
Also speaking at the conference was a patient who outlined their experience with Covid in the Intensive Care Unit. Our patient experiences are crucial to the improvement and development of the future of critical care in Ireland.
