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7 Governance Rep ts NMH Annual Rep t | 2020 clarified a number of questions and misconceptions that had been raised in the media. As usual the Executive continued to evolve and enhance our governance and review and refine the work of the various sub-committees. At Finance, work continued on the collection of sums due from debtors which by year-end had led to further reductions in debtor balances. Finances and cashflow continued to be concerns particularly in the light of the additional COVID-19 costs and also the capital outlay on the Labour and Delivery Unit project and the Theatre project. It was again disappointing that by the year-end the HSE had not confirmed capital funding for the urgent projects. In the next few years many thousands of women will deliver babies in the current facilities at Holles Street. Providing these services onsite, especially in the context of quality, dignity and safety, will present many challenges in the context of both infrastructure, facilities and space. The main buildings were constructed in the 1930's and hence suffer from many inadequacies compared to modern buildings. In addition, the continuing evolution of services (ie perinatal mental health) and the need for additional services (ie regional perinatal autopsy, assisted human reproduction) all require physical space. This continues to be a major concern for the EMT and the Board. As previously highlighted the existing site needs some investment over the short to medium term to maintain operations even at existing levels. Infrastructural risks on the current site have been clearly identified and highlighted in reports both to and from various state agencies. Work continued on some urgent on-site projects and the additional Labour and Delivery Unit opened later in the year with the Theatre project expected to complete early in 2021. New temporary testing facilities, a temporary swabbing facility and a pre-assement clinic were also provided as a direct result of COVID-19. The short to medium term impact of COVID-19 urgently requires more space to be provided onsite. Once again many of our Departments excelled during the year. The Catering Team were again building on previous success and again achieved 100% in the Food Safety Professionals Association Food Safety Awards as we did in 2019. We became the first non-private Hospital to be awarded ISO 22000 2018 in Food Safety Management Systems. In addition, both the Laboratory and the Environmental Department retained their accreditations. Congratulations to everyone involved on these teams, a credit to the NMH. The many sub-committees of the Board continued their work throughout the year as can be evidenced from the various reports. I would like to thank all the sub-committees and their Chairs and indeed all the members of the Executive Committee for their input and support throughout the year. Ms Eugenée Mulhern stepped down from the Executive Committee in June 2020 and I would like to thank her for the time she committed to the Hospital over many years. The Linen Guild met remotely during the year due to COVID-19 and continued to provide invaluable support to many of our vulnerable patients. The benefit of their work cannot be over emphasised and I would like to thank all the members of the Linen Guild for their continued dedication and commitment to the Hospital and its patients. During the year a number of staff retired and I thank them all for the many years that they have given to the Hospital and to our patients. I would also like to extend condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Ronan Power, Porter who died unexpectedly in April 2020. A number of our retired staff also passed away during the year and condolences are sent to their families and friends. I would like to thank the EMT, Prof. Shane Higgins, Master, Dr Roger McMorrow, Clinical Director, Mr Ronan Gavin, Secretary/General Manager, Ms Mary Brosnan, Director of Midwifery & Nursing and Mr Alistair Holland, Financial Controller for their hard work and leadership during what has been a very difficult year, due in no small part to the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of myself and the Executive I thank them and offer them our continued support. I also want to express my gratitude to my fellow Executive Committee members for their time, commitment and expertise that is an invaluable support to the Hospital. And finally, a special thanks to all of the staff in the Hospital. They have again in 2020 demonstrated their extraordinary dedication and commitment to the Hospital, patients and to each other. Nicholas Kearns Deputy Chairman