NMH

NMH | 2024 21 Governance As part of our continuous monitoring of governance processes, underpinned by our Charter, the Hospital's Executive Committee (the Board) put in place a number of enhancements to committees and meetings including review of committee memberships and enhanced documentation for Executive and Finance meetings. The Hospital's fundamental resource is our staff and 2024 proved to be a difficult year for the NMH, like many others, in relation to recruitment and retention combined with the HSE embargo and then the 'Pay and Numbers' strategy. Recruitment was problematic in many groups of staff but particularly in midwifery and nursing and the paramedical grades. The issues involved are multi factorial but there is no doubt that the lack of affordable accommodation in the Dublin region and transport difficulties are factors. The Hospital continues to source some accommodation that is available for new entrants on a short-term basis but this is not a long term solution. The imposition of the 'Pay and Numbers' strategy which effectively sets a target employment limit at the level of actual employees at the end of December 2023 is a major issue for NMH. December 2023 was a particularly low figure due to all the aforementioned recruitment issues with many posts vacant at this point. In addition, the student midwives rotation are not onsite in December every year so this is a significant cohort that have been 'ignored' by the HSE strategy. These issues have been highlighted to both HSE and DSE at a number of meetings and hopefully there will be some positive resolution during 2025. During the year our patient experience surveys continue to score in the high 90s for satisfactory rating, which is a very positive endorsement of our staff especially when we consider the physical limitations of the building. During the year many Departments again maintained accreditation and also won awards. The laboratory continued its accreditation to ISO 15189 standard and the Catering Department to ISO 22000:2018 standard. As in previous years, I need to mention the Catering Department who again won multiple awards including a Gold Award Certification from the Irish Heart Foundation for healthy catering practices, being nominated as finalists in the Irish Hotels and Catering Gold Medals Awards and obtaining a 100% score in the FSPA Audit (Food Safety Professional Association). Like many other Departments, they achieve these recognitions for a service that is provided in sub optimal infrastructural conditions. Finally, I would like to thank all of the members of the Executive Committee and the various Sub Committees for their ongoing support and advice during the year. A special thanks to Ms Michele Connolly, our Honorary Treasurer who stepped down from this position at the AGM. Michele has been a fabulous supporter of the NMH and has been invaluable to the EMT and Executive with her advice and expertise over the years. I would also like to thank the other members of the EMT: Prof Shane Higgins, Master, Ms Mary Brosnan, Director of Midwifery & Nursing, Dr Roger McMorrow, Clinical Director and Mr Alistair Holland, Financial Controller for their support and assistance. Special thanks to both Clare Gray and Pam Robinson who ensure that the work of my office and of the various Board Committees and sub committees is always under control. As always, the most important factor in providing quality patient care is our extraordinary staff and I thank them all for their tireless work on behalf of our patients throughout the year. Ronan Gavin, Secretary/General Manager.

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