Hear the stories behind Ireland’s health and social care services as part of a new podcast series from the National Care Experience Programme.

‘Let’s Talk Care Experience’, which goes live this Tuesday, 16 November, hears from the inspiring people who help shape care provision in Ireland, discussing their lived experiences, as well as gaining their insights and knowledge into how to improve health and social care services.

Episode one will hear from some of Ireland’s leading healthcare experts including: Paul Reid, CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE); Phelim Quinn, CEO of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA); Karen Greene, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer in the Department of Health; and Phyllis MacNamara, patient representative with the Saolta University Health Care Group, about the importance of listening to, and learning from, the people who use healthcare services in Ireland.

The launch of ‘Let’s Talk Care Experience’ coincides with the National Inpatient Experience Survey, which remains open for patients to complete until the 17 December 2021.

Podcast host and Senior Manager of the National Care Experience Programme, Tracy O’Carroll, says “We’re really excited to launch the ‘Let’s Talk Care Experience’ podcast and give listeners an insight into the delivery of care within Irish health and social care services.

“We devised this podcast to put the people who use and work in Irish services front and centre, and afford them the opportunity to share their experiences and views on what is working well, as well as areas that require improvement.

“We encourage people to take a listen and find out more about the progress being made in the Irish healthcare sector.”

CEO of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and Chairperson of the National Care Experience Programme Steering Group, Phelim Quinn says, “The quality improvements made to Irish healthcare as a result of our surveys demonstrate the importance of listening to patients and acting upon their feedback.

“The ‘Let’s Talk Care Experience’ podcast will give listeners the opportunity to gain an even greater understanding of how the Irish health and social care system operates, and to learn about specific elements of care provision and where improvements are being made.

“Those who provide and receive care in Ireland now have a new way to share their views and be heard.”

Listen to the first episode of ‘Let’s Talk Care Experience’ to hear how capturing people’s care experiences is leading to improvements in care across the Irish healthcare sector.

Ends.

For further information please contact:

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

(01) 8147480 / 085 805 5202 / mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to the editor:

• Episode one of ‘Let’s Talk Care Experience’ can be found at yourexperience.ie, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• The National Inpatient Experience Survey is a part of the National Care Experience Programme, a joint initiative by the independent health regulator HIQA, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health.
• Eligible patients will have received a survey by post approximately two weeks after their discharge from hospital. The survey can be completed in paper form or online, and must be submitted by 5pm on 17 December 2021.
• To be eligible, patients must have a postal address in the Republic of Ireland.
• The full list of participating hospitals can be found here.
• Find out more about the National Care Experience Programme by visiting www.yourexperience.ie.
• Join the National Care Experience Programme community today, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.