Tell us a little bit about yourself and your improvement journey.

I am a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist and a quality improvement enthusiast. I have been working in the acute sector of the HSE as a physiotherapist for the last nine years. Early on in my career I actively participated in quality improvement projects within my department and the wards I worked on. In my own department I successfully led a quality improvement project to decrease the amount of patients not attending appointments and reduced the associated cost. It was projects like this that made me realise my interest in quality improvement and the enjoyment and satisfaction I got from quality improvement projects and processes.

My largest project to date was designing and implementing a new front door frailty team in the emergency department and continually improving that service over the last three years

My largest project to date was designing and implementing a new front door frailty team in the emergency department to support older patients, and continually improving that service over the last three years. I have completed white and green belt Lean Six Sigma training certificates and my most recent Lean Six Sigma project was implementing delirium screening, which is a national standard, into an emergency department to improve outcomes for patients.

I am also a member of an emergency department multidisciplinary quality improvement group where we have completed projects such as improving the environment to be more age friendly for our older adult patients. The aim of the group is to identify and complete quality improvement projects to improve the emergency department for staff and patients. I am a member of the first team in Europe to become Age Friendly Health System Accredited by the John A. Hartford Foundation, which is based on using a set of four evidence based elements which improve the quality of care.

What first attracted you to Q?

I first came across Q on Twitter and was intrigued by the interesting posts. From browsing Twitter and the Q website I found that a group existed with great resources and great people who are likeminded and willing to learn and share from each other with the common purpose of improvement. Over the last year the negative impact of COVID-19 has highlighted how important it is to surround and engage in activities you enjoy and Q provides me with that opportunity. It is amazing to have a group of likeminded people who are dedicated to quality improvement and such amazing resources.

What are you hoping to get out of Q?

Q will provide me with the opportunity to engage with quality improvement masters and enthusiasts and to continue my own quality improvement journey

I am always looking for opportunities to learn and improve and feel Q is an amazing platform and group for me to learn from fellow members. I also care about the health service I work for and for the patients and staff that use and work in that health service and I want to continue to improve that service and improve patient outcomes and experiences. Q will provide me with the opportunity to engage with quality improvement masters and enthusiasts, and to continue my own quality improvement journey through learning and interacting with members. As a member I hope to be able to use my experience and previous projects to contribute to other quality improvement initiatives. Lastly, I hope that Q will enable me to stay motivated and enthusiastic towards QI and to continue to strive to improve healthcare and the care we provide for patients and service users.