Since 2013, UCD Health Systems and the Mater Lean Academy have used a Person-centred Lean Six Sigma approach to support healthcare staff in introducing impactful, lasting solutions within the health system, with patients and staff at their core. Over a decade, we have collaborated with 58 healthcare organisations, with 4000+ healthcare staff having participated in one of our programmes, leading to significant, staff-led impacts on their own and patient experiences of care, and patient outcomes (see impacts section of the application).
Each year, in addition to a masterclass series with invited national and international experts in process improvement, UCD Health Systems hosts an Annual National Lean Healthcare Symposium to share learning, celebrate success, disseminate findings from, and reflect on the work of healthcare staff and service users using Person-centred Lean Six Sigma methodology in improving processes for service users and providers in Ireland. Last year, over 350 healthcare staff attended the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems 10th Annual National Lean Healthcare Symposium in Croke Park, with a further 180 joining us via streaming.
The Symposium is an annual opportunity to recognize and honour the many healthcare professionals, researchers, organizations, and institutions that have played, and continue to play a pivotal role in driving healthcare improvements in the Irish health system, with whom we have been fortunate to collaborate with. Over the years we have welcomed keynote speakers from within service and quality improvement in Ireland and internationally, and importantly have used the Symposium to showcase the work of healthcare staff and as the foundation for our flourishing Lean Healthcare Community of Practice (LCOP).
Within this year’s Symposium, we look forward with renewed commitment and enthusiasm to explore how we can continue to improve healthcare delivery joined once again by national and international experts in the field.