2 March, 2026
The inaugural Person-Centred‑ Care Symposium marked a significant milestone in the hospital’s collective commitment to shaping a healthcare system grounded in dignity, compassion and authentic partnership with patients. From beginning to end, the event offered a shared space where leaders, clinicians and individuals with lived experience came together with a unified purpose: to understand what truly person-centred‑ care looks like in practice.
A central theme woven throughout the day was the importance of patient involvement, not as a courtesy, but as a fundamental pillar of high-quality‑ healthcare. This message resonated from the outset and remained the guiding thread of every keynote, story and panel discussion.
Major General Maureen O’Brien set a powerful tone with her keynote address, highlighting how leadership, civility and compassion are essential to building teams that truly uphold person-‑centred values. Drawing on her deep experience and humanity, she reminded us that culture begins with people—and that kindness is not an optional extra in healthcare, but a fundamental requirement.
The conversation deepened further as Iolo Eilian, HSE Assistant National Director, Patient and Service User Experience, highlighted why patient voices must not only be heard, but must be placed at the centre of shaping policy and services. His insights reinforced a truth that is often acknowledged but not always implemented: patients are experts in their own experience, and their input leads to better, safer and more effective care.
Later in the day, Melissa Power brought this principle to life in a deeply personal way, sharing her perspective as a family member and her family’s experience of the Advance Care Directive (ACD). For adults with capacity, an ACD lets family and healthcare professionals know your wishes about your treatment should you, in the future, be unable to communicate these decisions yourself.
Mellissa contribution grounded the symposium in the emotional reality of care, the moments of vulnerability, the reliance on trust and the profound difference it makes when services truly see and support the whole person, not just their condition.
Before the day concluded, patient ambassador Zoe Holohan, whose leadership and honesty continue to strengthen the patient voice within our healthcare system, hosted a patient panel discussion. Zoe created a space where lived experience was not only highlighted but honoured. The panel reminded attendees of an important underlying message: “Behind every policy, every care plan and every clinical decision, there is a person with a story.”
Reflecting on the success of the inaugural Person-‑Centred Care Symposium, the event went further than simply sharing ideas, it built momentum. It demonstrated a collective readiness to move from discussion to action and from aspiration to implementation. Most importantly, it underscored that e genuine person-centred‑ care cannot be built without the people at its heart.
As we look ahead, the momentum generated by this ‑symposium will continue to guide meaningful change across our services. The conversations, insights and lived experiences shared throughout the day have set a clear direction for the future, one that values collaboration, compassion and genuine partnership with patients. This symposium marks not an end, but the beginning of an ongoing commitment to building a healthcare system shaped by the people it serves, ensuring that person-‑centred care remains at the heart of everything we do.