Working Together for Quality Services

Over a number of years, many health services have been the subject of reviews and inquiries arising from significant patient care failures. These reviews impact strongly on both the public’s confidence in their care and safety, and undermine the confidence of those working daily in our services. It is accepted that there is considerable scope to reduce the number of adverse events but this will require a significant culture change. Patients are entitled to the highest quality healthcare.

The 'Patient Safety First' initiative was formally launched on 23rd September 2010 and is a programme of change that aims to deliver services of consistently higher quality that are safer for patients, with errors reduced to as low a level as possible.

'Patient Safety First' is a wide ranging initiative. Its focus is on implementing the recommendations of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, Building a Culture of Patient Safety, 2008. The implementation of the Commission's 134 recommendations is being progressed by key organisations with a role and a voice in Irish Healthcare.