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the HBS news
Contact:
@HBS_Health
THE NEWSLETTER FROM HEALTH BUSINESS SERVICES 3rd Edition
in this issue
HBS Estates develop CUH oncology unit: Page 12
Five great reasons to register today: Page 3
OONNLLIINNEE PPAAYYSSLLIIPPSS HBS HR Pension Improvement Programme: Page 20
2 the HBS news // Vol. III
Message from the editor
Hello and welcome to the HBS news! This edition carries a
particularly significant digital thread throughout many of our
stories. We start off by introducing our very own HBS Digital
Community who are tapping into synergies across our business
units, setting the HBS digital blueprint. HBS Finance have a big
question to ask of you and give really good reasons why you
should register for online payslips today. The message from the
National Health Sustainability Office is to think before you ink
and help save our trees. On a similar trail of thought, the
einvoicing project led by HBS Finance is saving paper too,
whilst increasing efficiencies in invoice processing.
Meet our fabulous colleague, Breda Murphy, in the Staff
Spotlight who happens to be a very active Values in Action and
Healthy Ireland Champion. We have a special retirement tribute
for a very special colleague as Kevin McConville, Head of HR
Payroll Systems and Analytics (HPSA) recently retired. We
wish Kevin the very best in his retirement. Speaking about
retirement you might be interested to read up on pensions and the
work underway within Pensions Improvement Programme.
It was really lovely to get feedback from many of our readers on
the last issue and I hope you all enjoy this edition of our HBS
news.
Special thanks to all our contributors, we couldn’t
do this without you! As always, don’t hesitate to
get in touch and let us know what you might like
to see featured in future editions. You can
contact us by emailing
Until next time!
All the best,
Elaine
A message from the Deputy Director of Health Business Services
I am delighted to welcome you to our HBS news. We are really pleased to bring you another insight into the world of
HBS and I am sure the stories featured will help keep you up to
date on news from right across our Business Units.
This edition outlines many areas of activity underway
throughout our business division, giving you a sense of the
varied programmes of work as well as an insight into our HBS
people delivering these.
Our people are central to all that we do and that is why we are
presently working on refreshing our People Plan which is
aligned to the HSE People Strategy. I look forward to sharing
further updates with you as this plan evolves.
A specific feature within the HBS news, and one which I am
proud to acknowledge, is the retirement of our HBS
Management Team colleague, Kevin McConville, Head of HR
Payroll Systems and Analytics (HPSA).
Kevin will be truly missed in HBS for his leadership and
development of HPSA which has made an enormous impact on
the many services and solutions offered through the HPSA
Centre of Excellence, and has made a significant contribution
to the realisation of our Strategy Actions.
I would like to thank Kevin sincerely for
his sterling efforts and wish him well in his
retirement.
Maximising the power of digital continues
to be a central theme of the HBS journey.
The use of digital will transform the
manner in which we do business.
A number of significant initiatives that
seek to exploit digital opportunity are
already underway and will contribute to
the future shape and potential of the HBS
service offering over the course of our
current and future strategies. This edition of the HBS news
shines the spotlight on some of these initiatives. Page 4
defines how we are setting the digital blueprint for HBS, while
on page 7 we see how digital development within HBS HR is
offering a different and more efficient way of doing our
business. Our Estates Department provide us with an update
on progress on their significant digital transformation project –
the National Estates Information System, and within Finance
we can find out how technology is playing a part in increasing
efficiency in invoice processing. You can also learn how you
can contribute significantly to the HBS digital agenda by
following our feature about accessing your payslip online.
Our current Strategy for the period 20172019 will end in
December this year. Again, we are on track to achieve over
85% of the strategic agenda we outlined, which has been
supported by a detailed set of transformational, delivery and
internal HBS Actions.
Collaborative working and meaningful engagement between
our business areas and business partners has been
fundamental to this journey. We are actively developing our
strategic plans for the period 2020 onwards.
Finally, many of you may be aware that John Swords, Head of
Procurement, has recently taken up the position of Interim
Director of HBS.
We extend warm congratulations to John and look forward to
continuing to work closely with him in further developing and
delivering high quality business services and solutions globally
across the health sector.
With similar sentiment, we send our best get well wishes to our
friend and colleague Jane Carolan, Director of HBS, at this
time.
John Smith
Deputy Director, Health Business Services
3the HBS news // Vol. III
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4 the HBS news // Vol. III
Health Business Services (HBS) has embraced the
concept that digital business really is part of everyone’s
business. This is particularly evident with the creation of
the HBS Digital Community, the genesis for which came
about as far back as 2016.
Around this time, it was becoming apparent that each HBS
Business Units was experiencing an increasing
dependence on technology to support business activities
and change programmes. There was a real requirement
within HBS to establish a coordinated digital view to
ensure:
1. Visibility of all digital projects in order to recognise
codependencies.
2. Digital resource capabilities would be identified and
optimised.
3. Opportunities for digital enablement could be
recognised and encouraged in order to support the
delivery of business excellence through HBS’s
customer centric business model.
4. Coordinated engagement with the Office of the
Chief Information Officer (OoCIO) for consistent,
compliant and secure technology delivery.
To support these aims, Digital Innovation Business
Manager, Kevin Kelly within HBS Business Excellence and
Innovation saw it as essential that the organisation
enabled, fostered and supported the flow and
synchronisation of ideas, knowledge sharing and mutual
support between HBS employees across all business
units. Staff participation and engagement would be key if
HBS was to shift from ‘doing digital’ to ‘being digital’.
When a new HBS Digital Community group Kevin created
on Yammer attracted unexpected levels of membership
and social interaction, he knew he had tapped into
something. And so, the idea of a HBS Digital Community
was born, a network that would bring together staff
members engaged in digital or technology related activities
and initiatives, whether it be maintaining locally developed
databases through to managing multimillion euro projects
to deliver enterprise scale technology solutions.
The only prerequisite was that community members
would share a common passion to deploy innovative
digital solutions to support business initiatives that would
benefit HBS’ business partners and ultimately, HSE
service users.
Virtual becomes a RealityDuring December 2018, virtual became a reality when a
oneday networking event, organised by Kevin and his
Digital Innovation team was attended by over 50 HBS staff
members. Opening the day, HBS National Director, Jane
Carolan in her keynote address challenged the community
to help define HBS’s hugely important digital agenda for
the coming years.
The inaugural event sought to deliver two outcomes (1) to
introduce attendees to their colleagues across HBS and
provide an insight into respective activities outside of their
own business unit and (2) to use the knowledge in the
room to help drive forward HBS plans in a collaborative
and open forum.
SSeettttiinngg tthhee ddiiggiittaall bblluueepprriinntt ffoorr HHBBSSKevin Kelly on stage during one of the Digital Community events earlier this year. Below, one of the events in action.
5the HBS news // Vol. III
Following a series of updates and introductions from all
HBS business units and the OoCIO, the attendees were
then invited to break out into groups to discuss and
brainstorm on three specific themes:
(1) Delivering Services for the Digital Age
(2) Deploying Automation, BOTS and IoT
(3) Connecting and Visualising Data.
A second networking day was held in May 2019. As well as
showcasing three innovative digital solutions from within
the community, attendees were invited to expand on the
output from the first day across the same three themes.
The result proved to be remarkable.
As each group deliberated over and documented a set of
actions, their respective proposals were projected in real
time onto a large screen. By the end of the one hour
session, a digital framework had literally surfaced from
within the room and the community had delivered a digital
blueprint for HBS.
Continuing the JourneyIn order to continue harnessing the energy and
enthusiasm of the community to further deliver insights
and recommendations these events will become regular
sessions. New relationships have been established, there
is a better appreciation of each other’s challenges and
already the green shoots from mutual understanding and
knowledge sharing are beginning to emerge in the form of
collaborative working. Membership of the community is
fluid, so as people move between roles and indeed in and
out of the organisation, so too will ideas and opinions
change.
To quote Margaret J. Wheatley, “There is no power for
change greater than a community discovering what it
cares about.”
The HBS Digital Community has discovered its common
bond, the power and benefit of this diverse community has
now been realised and so it will continue as HBS and the
broader HSE continues to adapt and change.
A further Digital Community Networking session
will be scheduled in 2020
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
6 the HBS news // Vol. III
Following a successful go live in the North East in
November 2018, the West Phase of the HBS Payroll
Stabilisation Programme has now been completed.
Commencing in January 2019, the West project was
delivered over 7 months, with all payroll groups live by
the end of July. Over 13,000 employees and pensioners
migrated from the existing Unipay payroll
system, to the ResourceLink Payroll
Software solution.
Sean Molloy, Payroll Manager West,
attributes the successful golive to his
team, by saying: "The commitment and
attention shown to the project by the
payroll team was crucial in the successful
implementation of this project."
As the existing Unipay Payroll solution will no longer be
supported after December 2019, it was agreed with the
HBS Governance Committee in 2018 that as an interim
measure the stabilisation programme would migrate two
HSE Areas, North East and West to ResourceLink. The
programme remit was further extended to include the
South. All three areas will subsequently transition to the
HBS NiSRP programme provided SAP solution at a later
stage.
As well as the primary objective of the programme
ensuring the continued delivery of payroll services, the
programme endeavours to limit as much as possible the
change and impact on the nonpayroll staff involved in
the end to end process.
The next programme deliverable is to migrate the South
to ResourceLink. This project commenced in March 2019
and the planned golive is this winter.
Roll out of HSE Payroll Stabilisation Programme
Members of the ResourceLink payroll system implementation team working on go live in the West, part of the Payroll Stabilisation Programme.
7the HBS news // Vol. III
Supporting the digital developments of HBS HRThe HR Digital Systems Team and the
National Electronic Document and
Records Management System (EDRMS)
Project Team (Therefore™) have merged
to become HBS HR Digital. System users
will benefit from the combined support and
experience of both teams. The team will be
operating under the leadership of Wendy
McDonald, General Manager, HBS HR
Operations & Business Development. The
teams are located in Merchant's Quay,
Dublin, and Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim.
Development work throughout 2019
includes:
Employee Self Service – Manager Self Service (ESS/MSS)
National Integrated Staff Records and Pay
Programme (NiSRP) introduced an
Employee/Manager SelfService app which
allows staff apply for leave, travel and
subsistence, view payslips and change
personal information. This was
successfully implemented in the East in
May 2019 and will continue its national roll
out over the coming months. This app will
be available on any smart phone, PC or
internetenabled device.
One of the major developments as part of
this programme was the introduction of the
SAP Connector which allows information to
be submitted via the app to SAP and then
securely stored on employee’s digital file in
Therefore. The role of the HBS HR Digital
(Therefore) team in configuring Therefore
to become the central repository for ESS/
MSS has been instrumental in the
successful implementation of the ESS/
MSS project.
Digital Enablers for Pensions
The ongoing development and rollout of
the National Pension Management System
is part of the remit of the team.
This system is currently live in 7 out of 8
pension sites nationally:
Manorhamilton Kells Galway
Merchant's Quay Tullamore Limerick Cork
The remaining pension site, Kilkenny, is
scheduled to go live in Q4 of 2019 which
will achieve 100% system coverage
nationally. The team continues to work
collaboratively with the Pensions
Improvement Programme, colleagues from
OoCIO and HBS Digital, to assist in
identifying potential opportunities for a
Pension Enterprise Solution as well as
looking to expand on the functionality of
existing systems.
Other projects:
HBS HR Recruit & Garda Vetting Liaison
Office
The HBS HR Digital team is providing
assistance to HBS HR Recruit to ensure
the functionality of available digital
enablers is maximised to achieve best
practice in local and national recruitment
practices. The governance committee are
reviewing a comprehensive business plan
in relation to digital enablers which will
assist the Garda Vetting Liaison Office to
deliver their broad range of services.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Garda Vetting and National Personnel
Records have been identified as pilot sites
for Robotic Process Automation (RPA).
This project is now at funding approval
stage.
Contact Details
Members of the HBS HR Digital Team Eoin McDonagh, Lisa Toolin, Gerry Molumby, Tom O’Connor, Wendy McDonnell
(GM HBS HR Ops), Eithne Fox (AND HBS HR), Dave Armstrong, and Philo McCabe.
8 the HBS news // Vol. III
HBS increasing efficiencies in invoice processing
HBS Finance is on track to
significantly increase efficiencies
with invoice processing whilst reducing
the use of paper in the payment process.
This exciting initiative is associated with a
European eInvoicing Directive which
requires all Public Sector Bodies to
receive and process electronic invoices in
compliance with the European Standard.
The Payment Services unit within HBS
Finance have successfully applied for EU
funding for the implementation of the
European eInvoicing Directive 2014/55/
EU. This was a PanEuropean application
in conjunction with partners in IT Sligo
and a number of Sicilian public sector
bodies. The project is funded by the
Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) which
is a building block supporting public
administrations in complying with the
European eInvoicing Standard. The first
meeting of this ‘Crossborder uptake of
eInvoicing and innovation’ partnership
took place during September.
The HSE will acquire an eInvoicing
processing solution to enable it receive
invoices electronically*(via EDI). This will
include a PanEuropean Public
Procurement OnLine (PEPPOL) Access
Point and a Service Metadata Publisher
(SMP). The European Standard
compliant eInvoicing service will be
available to all health care authorities in
Ireland. Once implemented, the HSE will
be in a position to receive electronic
invoices from Irish and European
suppliers that comply with the new
European standard.
The project activities will be completed by
December 2020.
Brian Lunney, Head of Payment Services and Sean Thorton, Payment
Services Training Manager at the kickoff meeting of the CEF eInvoicing
project in September.
9the HBS news // Vol. III
GGaammee,, sseett aanndd mmaattcchh ttoo oouurr VVaalluueess IInn AAccttiioonn cchhaammppiioonnss Well done to our HSE colleagues who
took part or supported the first
Eccentric Picnic Values In
Action South East event
which took place in the
grounds of St Canice’s
Hospital, Kilkenny. This was
a collaborative event to bring
the old tennis courts back to
a playable condition, so that
they could be used by staff
and the wider Kilkenny
community. The event had
thrills and spills, fancy dress,
music and a bit of networking
on the day, with more than
65 staff from all departments
attending. Thanks to HBS
Estates, our mental health
staff, the St Canice’s
maintenance team, and all involved in
making the day possible. A big shout out to
Breda Murphy for the great concept and the
VIA cluster to bring it all together.
It was a healthy event thanks to the Health
And Wellbeing staff who provided amazing
fruit platters and refreshments. Thanks also
to Broderick's Music
Warehouse and Woodies
for some contributions
towards the event, and
finally congrats to our four
colleagues in public health,
who took part in the final to
win the overall VIA
perpetual tennis cup, which,
along with all the
trophies and
medals, were
donated for our
event. Feedback
from the event
was amazing and
led to the
inaugural 2019 St Canice’s
Campus September Tennis
League. There will be updates in
next issue of the HBS news.
10 the HBS news // Vol. III
Professionalising procurement in the Irish health serviceThe HSE and its Section 38 and Section
39funded agencies purchase circa
€3.2 billion each year of goods and
services that’s a staggering €8.8 million
for each day of the year, more than
€6,000 each minute, or more than €100
per second.
Every single time a purchasing decision is
made in the public health service, public
procurement considerations apply. This
means there are rules and regulations
that must be complied with to ensure that
the health service procures correctly and
achieves best value for money.
These include EU Procurement
Directives, Irish Statutory Instruments
(S.I.), Public Procurement Policies,
Government Circulars, Procurement
Guidelines and HSE National Financial
Regulations (NFR). Noncompliant
purchasing can result in poor value for
money resulting in reduced patient care
and service delivery somewhere in the
public health system.
The EU Commission views public
procurement as an instrument to achieve
smart, sustainable and inclusive growth,
which could have significant economic
impact in contributing to jobs and cross
border trade.
Public procurement can also make a
strategic contribution to horizontal policy
objectives and societal values such as
innovation, social inclusion and economic
and environmental sustainability.
Therefore, the most efficient use of public
funds needs to be ensured and public
buyers need to be in a position to procure
according to the highest standards of
professionalism.
Enhancing and supporting
professionalism among public
procurement practitioners can help foster
the impact of public procurement in the
whole economy.
Commission Recommendation (EU)
2017/1805 of 3 October 2017 on the
professionalisation of public procurement
— Building an architecture for the
professionalisation of public procurement;
encourages the development and
implementation of professionalisation
policies in Member States to help to
increase the profile, influence, impact and
reputation of procurement in delivering
public objectives.
The EU Commission has also
commissioned the development of a
European Competency Framework for
Public Buyers, which is nearing
completion. HBS Procurement has been
to the forefront in regards to translating
this into a comprehensive Competency
Framework for the development and
professionalisation of all participants in
the Irish health service’s procurement
function.
A key strategic objective for HBS
Procurement is to support health service
delivery by providing continuity of supply;
ensuring availability of appropriate quality
goods and services where needed, when
needed, and to achieve greater value for
money.
In this regard, a compelling vision has
now been set to build a sustainable
architecture for the professionalisation of
HBS procurement.
Development and implementation of a
robust, agile learning and development
educational model is currently in focus
which will raise progressively the levels of
capability across the public health service
procurement function by embracing,
aligning and operationalising;
– The Customer (Patient & Service
Provider) at the center of everything
we do;
– Best in class public service innovation
competencies
– Best in class lean, business
excellence
– Core behaviours that drive HSE
Values in Action
Some of the HBS Procurement team undertaking the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) accredited bespoke
Public Procurement Supply Chain Excellence Level 7 Certificate programme and Level 7 Diploma
programme in University of Limerick.
11the HBS news // Vol. III
HBS Procurement collaborates with University of LimerickWorking in collaboration with HBS
Business Excellence and Innovation,
and the University of Limerick (UL),
HBS Procurement has developed a
comprehensive syllabus to deliver a
Quality and Qualifications Ireland
(QQI) accredited bespoke Public
Procurement Supply Chain
Excellence Level 7 Certificate
programme and Level 7 Diploma
programme. In excess of 100
procurement practitioners from across
HBS Procurement, HSE, Section 38
and Section 39 health agencies have
enrolled and are currently
participating in these programmes
which combine Public Procurement,
Supply Chain and Business
Excellence modules.
HBS and UL are also collaborating to
develop a QQI accredited, bespoke
Level 8 Degree and Level 9 Masters
in Public Procurement Supply Chain
Excellence.
Work is also underway
– On a bespoke Apprenticeship
in Supply Chain programme for
public service procurement.
– A ‘Procurement for Non
Procurement Managers
Programme’, which will be
delivered inhouse with formal
accreditation from UL.
HBS Procurement intends that all
persons involved in the procurement
of goods and services in the health
service will be in a position to procure
according to the highest standards of
professionalism to ensure we achieve
best value for money.
Above, a cohort of students undertaking the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) accredited bespoke
Public Procurement Supply Chain Excellence Level 7 Certificate programme and Level 7 Diploma
programme in University of Limerick.
Back row, left to right: Damian
Walsh, Capacity Development
Officer, HBS Procurement;
John Swords, Interim Head of
HBS; Dr Philip O ’Regan Dean
of The Kemmy Business
School, UL; Brendan White,
Head of Corporate
Procurement Planning &
Capacity Development, HBS;
Michael Hennessy School of
Science and Engineering, UL.
Front, Yvonne Delaney,
Programme Director,
Management Development
Unit, Kemmy Business School,
UL, and Julie Ryan, Head of
Business Excellence and
Innovation, HBS.
12 the HBS news // Vol. III
A newly constructed radiation
oncology unit, The Glandore Centre,
was recently opened in Cork University
Hospital (CUH) by An Tánaiste and
Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade Simon
Coveney. CUH provides cancer care to
approximately 2,000 patients every year
and is the centre of excellence for cancer
treatment for the entire south west
region.
HBS Estates managed the delivery of the
new 8,800m2 centre, which comprises
seven radiotherapy treatment rooms,
diagnostic imaging, brachytherapy,
superficial treatment, consultation/
examination facilities and clinical trials
accommodation. The project was
successfully delivered on time and within
budget.
The Glandore Centre will be home to 120
staff and, thanks to the generosity of Cork
based charity Aid Cancer Treatment
(ACT), it will be the first public hospital in
the country to use Surface Guided
Radiation Treatment (SGRT) which
improves speed and accuracy and
reduces the need for immobilisation of
patients during their treatment.
With the installation of new linear
accelerators, treatment times for patients
will reduce from some 12 15 minutes to
just 2.5 minutes which will improve
patient’s experience of treatments.
The threestorey building commenced
construction in May 2017 and
construction was completed in March
2019 in time to take delivery of the five
linear accelerators that have now been
installed and are currently being
commissioned in advance of patients
being treated in the new centre in mid
October. The facility will open on a
phased basis as it will take a number of
months to commission the newly installed
equipment. In addition, CUH has formed
a collaborative partnership with The
Christie in Manchester, which is a leading
cancer treatment and research centre
that treats more than 44,000 patients a
year.
This partnership will allow patients at the
new facility access to participation in
clinical trials and therapies.
HBS Estates develop CUH oncology unit
13the HBS news // Vol. III
HBS Estates has identified the
requirement for a National
Estates Information System
(NEIS).
The NEIS will provide a digital
solution to support HBS Estates
staff and the numerous external
professionals (architects,
engineers, etc.) and contractors
(building, mechanical, electrical
etc.) who work with HBS Estates
annually in delivering the capital
programme and manage the HSE
Estate.
The governance structure for the
project includes the steering group
consisting of National/HSE Senior
Leadership representatives and
external stakeholders with
representatives from the
Department of Health (DoH)
Capital Finance Unit, Community
Health Organisations, Hospital
Groups and the OPW. In addition,
a project working group has been
established, and implementation
groups for each of the different
modules of the NEIS are currently
being formed, with initial meetings
held in September 2019. The
tender process for the new
proposed NEIS is ongoing, and
contract award is subject to Digital
Government Oversight Unit
(DGOU) and HSE board approval.
As part of this transformation, the
NEIS team are supporting HBS
Estates staff to move from
traditional paper methods of
procurement to digital. This
involves making best use of the full
functionality of existing digital
tendering platforms eTenders and
SupplyGov for all competitions for
construction works and related
services. This project is following
the People’s Needs Defining
Change – Health Services Change
Guide, a step by step guide that
helps people to lead and bring
about change. Through this, a
process of engagement is on
going with HBS Estates staff using
surveys, focus group interviews
and workshops to understand the
current processes and agree better
outcomes. Many of the regional
HBS Estates offices are already
involved in a pilot phase of using
eTenders for receipt of tender’s
online and also online evaluation.
The NEIS team would like to take
the opportunity to express their
sincere thanks to all the HBS
Estates staff that have taken a
leap of faith with us and are testing
the new systems in practice – with
your help we have been able to
test and refine our processes
before we roll out across all offices.
Initial feedback from both staff and
suppliers on the pilot project has
been overwhelmingly positive, and
we are looking forward to it
becoming the new way of doing
our business by the end of the
year. All this feedback is being
taken into consideration in
designing the implementation plan
which will be presented at local
staff meetings in the coming
months.
Update on digital transformation for HBS Estates
Above, from top Cork University
Maternity Hospital, University
Hospital Galways, and the
National Maternity Hospital at
Holles Street.
14 the HBS news // Vol. III
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at
Temple Street, in conjunction with
HBS Estates, recently completed the
redevelopment of the St Philomena’s
Ward area of the hospital.
This redevelopment delivers eight single
patient rooms, each with its own en suite.
Comprising of an entire footprint of 440
square metres, including the new
extension to the ward, this new space
houses a number of dedicated ancillary
rooms required to serve the new St
Philomena’s Unit.
The redevelopment of the area included
the construction of a new link bridge
corridor at firstfloor level above the
emergency department laneway. This
connects to a new lift, which provides full
access to the ward for all patients, their
families and staff. Prior to the
redevelopment, the space in the old
section of the hospital was only
accessible via two staircases and had
limitations of use. In addition, the new
space will allow the hospital to address
the many challenges around infection
control management of inpatients.
Mona Baker, CEO, CHI at Temple Street,
said “We are very grateful to the Hospital
Foundation and the HSE, as this is a
stateoftheart facility that will
significantly improve the experience of
children and their families that attend CHI
at Temple Street.”
Works were carried out in a live hospital
environment by Temple Street Hospital
Projects Office, headed up by Kieran
Downes.
An investment of €1.5 million, including
equipment, was provided by the Hospital
Foundation fundraising department and
the HSE.
SStt PPhhiill''ss WWaarrdd uuppggrraaddee ttoo hheellpp iinnffeeccttiioonn ccoonnttrrooll
Above and right, the revamped St Philomena's Unit
at Temple Street.
15the HBS news // Vol. III
TTHHIINNKK BBEEFFOORREE YYOOUU IINNKK
Green printing is a good way to reduce waste,
prevent the cutting of trees, and minimise
the quantity of printer ink used reducing our
impact on the environment and saving money.
The National Health Sustainability Offices tips for improving sustainability in relation to printing:
Do not print unless necessaryThink before you print and consider areas where
you could reduce printing.
Does everyone attending a meeting need a copy
of the agenda? Do you really need to print that
email? Are there areas where you could digitise
records instead of having hard copy files?
Order environmentally responsible paper (FSC certified & recycled)This is not only the most sustainable option but
also creates a market for the product, reducing
cost and increasing availability of these products
on future national frameworks. Recycled paper
can be ordered from Antalis via the OGP
Framework for the Provision of MultiPurpose
Office Paper for Printing and Photocopying. All
other paper on the contract is FSC certified. If you
have any queries in relation to this contract or
framework and how to buy from it, please contact
the OGP's Client Service Team at
Recycle used toner and printer cartridgesThe current OGP Framework Agreement for the
Supply of ICT Consumables includes a take back
and recycling programme, whereby the supplier
(Datapac) provides a toner cartridge collection and
recycling service free of charge to the Client.
Datapac can only collect empty toners that are in
recycling boxes. If you have not yet received a
recycling box, please request one by emailing
[email protected] for more information on this
service.
Set printer default to double sided and grayscaleStart menu > "Control Panel"
Choose "Devices and Printers"
Right click your primary printer
Choose "Printing Preferences"
Set Print Type to 2sided and Colour to Greyscale
Click "apply? to set as the default
Recycle all paper, using a print room paper bin or a recycling bins under each deskEnsure at a minimum that all printers have a paper
recycling bin beside them which has clear
signage. Make sure that cleaning staff are aware
that you are segregating waste and understand
what waste stream bins should be emptied into.
Turn off printers at the end of the dayAssign the responsibility of turning off printers to
someone. In most cases the last person in the
building is cleaning or security staff so ask that
they switch off unessential equipment before
leaving at night.
Click here for more.
A Healthcare
Sustainability Seminar
titled BEYOND 2020:
The Pathway For
Change is being held
on Wednesday,
December 4th, 2019, in
Athlone Institute of
Technology. To express
your interest in
attending please
email the National
Health Sustainability
Office: [email protected].
16 the HBS news // Vol. III
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
In this issue, our spotlight is on Breda Murphy from
the Standards & Compliance Unit based at St Canice's Hospital in
Kilkenny
How would you describe your job? I really enjoy my job and have a very
interesting and motivating role within
Health Business Services. I am involved
with our team in ensuring that the
Standards and Compliance Programme
objectives are met.
This programme reviews standards in
place, evaluates compliance issues and
is designed to assure management,
stakeholders and customers that
operations are performed in compliance
with legislation, regulations, standards,
government policies and best practices.
The issue of compliance remains a
critical topic. Compliance is a prevalent
business concern because a non
compliant action can put the HBS
reputation at stake and its performance
into question.
What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy applying my previous private and
public healthcare experience to my new
job in HBS and having a clear picture of
how HBS supports core, frontline and
other health and social care functions.
This is a great opportunity for me to add
value in reducing risk, meeting our
objectives, as well as protecting the
organisation and our customers. It’s
always pleasant to come to work in the
productive atmosphere of our office. My
extended roles include Values in Action
Champion and Healthy Ireland
Champion. These roles allow me to
promote St Canice’s as a better place to
work, and hopefully enrich the working
lives of my colleagues.
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
My garden is my favourite place in the
world. I like to sow plants, trees, shrubs
and flowers and watch the magic of what
the everchanging seasons bring.
What are your hobbies or interests? I enjoy horseriding and tennis, and keep
up to date with current affairs.
You are hosting a dinner party, who are the three people whom you would like to invite and why?
I would like to invite my three best friends
from college. We have similar interests,
which makes for fun and lighthearted
conversation.
If you had to pick a quote that has meaning for you, what would it be?
Life is 10% what happens to me and 90%
how I react to it Charles R. Swindoll.
17the HBS news // Vol. III
Healthy Ireland plan for HBSThe Healthy Ireland Framework
launched by Government
provides the policy and a strategic
vision for a ‘healthy Ireland’.
The Healthy Ireland in the Health
Services National Implementation
Plan 2015 – 2017 recognised and
acknowledged how we in the health
service need to develop, value and
promote the health and wellbeing of
our staff and patients/service users
alike in everything we do. It focuses
on three strategic priorities, Health
Service Reform, Reducing the
Burden of Chronic Illness and
Improving Staff Health and
Wellbeing.
The Health Business Services HI
Implementation Plan 2019 – 2021
has been developed in the main ‘by
our people, for our people’ under the
guidance of the HBS HI Health and
Wellbeing (H&W) Steering Group.
This plan is an opportunity for HBS to
embrace and build a lasting
foundation to improve and enhance
the health and wellbeing of our
people and our communities.
The message is now clear we all
have to take responsibility for our
physical and mental health. This plan
has been influenced by our people
from all our business units' diverse
areas of work, right across the
country. There has been robust
consultation in its development and it
is clear there is a strong commitment
on the ground to progress the health
and wellbeing agenda within HBS.
The successful implementation of this
plan is dependent on each and every
one of us. HBS are committed to
supporting and delivering on this
implementation plan. HBS will provide
assistance and encourage our people
to live healthier lives.
This threeyear plan is an active
working document sitting alongside
the national Healthy Ireland
Framework and other HI strategies.
During its first year of implementation,
a suite of HBS HI performance
metrics will be developed as a way of
demonstrating progress against the
actions in the implementation plan.
In line with its terms of reference,
these metrics will be reviewed
regularly by the HBS HI H&W
Steering Group to monitor its overall
implementation progress, with
particular emphasis on our two pilot
sites HBS Business Excellence &
Innovation Unit and HBS staff within
Merchant’s Quay. The HBS HI H&W
Steering Group will report progress to
both the Deputy Director HBS and
also to the National Lead for Healthy
Ireland.
For further updates on the Healthy
Ireland Plan for HBS click here.
18 the HBS news // Vol. III
Successful completion of the initial
National integrated Staff Records and
Pay Programme (NiSRP) took place in
the HSE East during May 2019 and some
18,000 HSE staff members are seeing the
benefits.
The SAP HR/Integration ensures staff
continue to be paid accurately and on
time. The rollout of the NiSRP Self
Service online tool for employees and
managers means the previous reliance on
paper will be replaced in time, improving
processes to record HR actions and
maintain accurate staff records.
NiSRP Self Service is an important
opportunity to deliver worldclass
business services across our health
system and to give staff control of their
own information. Self Service access is
available through a website or a
downloadable app. It is free, easytouse
and available whenever needed.
Since GoLive in May current HSE East
employees and pensioners are now being
paid through the new system. In order to
support implementation and roll out, the
NiSRP team undertook a detailed
programme of support.
This incorporated a series of engagement
sessions, the setup of a Helpdesk along
with a Support Information Hub on
HSE.ie. This support will continue until
the system is fully embedded.
Miriam Keegan, NiSRP Programme
Director, said she was: “pleased with the
uptake of NiSRP Self Service and to see
the high levels of staff logging in and
using the system on a daily basis.
"By working collaboratively with HSE East
staff, we have successfully introduced
NiSRP to the health system."
Miriam further stated that the programme
is next scheduled for implementation in
HSE South East. (Area C under the new
Sláintecare regions).
Click here for more.
1188,,000000 ssttaaffff iinn EEaasstt bbeenneeffiitt ffrroomm NNiiSSRRPP
* Figures as of 7/10/2019
The NiSRP team mark golive in the HSE
East region.
19the HBS news // Vol. III
The Future Health Summit is the global gathering for
healthcare in Ireland and provides a unique
opportunity to promote, educate and network at Irelands
largest Healthcare Conference.
With over 400 healthcare leaders and decision makers,
both international and domestic attending this established
annual event, HBS were delighted to play a pivotal and
influential role on the day.
At this year’s summit Jane Carolan, HBS National
Director opened the breakfast briefing by sharing the
HBS Digital Transformation journey with attendees.
The day featured an impressive lineup of keynote
speakers across a selection of specialised healthcare
related themes.
There was significant interest on the HBS session jointly
presented by Jane Carolan, HBS National Director, and
Maria O’Loughlin, HBS Assistant National Director,
Organisational Digital Change, on 'Collaborating to build
a culture to embrace Digital Transformation'.
This session demonstrated the importance of
engagement, communications and climate as key
enablers for organisational readiness for change.
Speaking about the day Jane Carolan said “It was a great
honour to represent HBS at this year’s Future Health
Summit and take the opportunity in showcasing the good
work and progress being made within our business
division of the HSE.
"This event is particularly important in terms of
collaborating with the expertise that exists across the
healthcare environment.”
HBS's digital journey takes centre stage at Future Health
Jane Carolan, HBS National Director, speaking at a breakfast briefing at the Future Health Summit earlier this year.
20 the HBS news // Vol. III
The Pension Improvement Programme is
a multiyear project relating to pension
services covering compliance, legislation,
digital development, resources, and
supporting Section 38, voluntary and
nominated health agencies.
Phase one of the programme has
focussed on compliance with the Single
Public Service Scheme.
The Single Public Service Pension
Scheme (“Single Pension Scheme”)
benefit statement received by HSE
employees during November outlines the
benefit earned by Single Scheme
Members as of December 31, 2018.
The Single Scheme applies to firsttime
entrants to the public service recruited to
pensionable positions on or after
1 January 2013 (the commencement date
of the Single Scheme). It also applies to
former public servants returning to public
service employment on new pensionable
contracts, having previously ceased to be
a public servant for more than 26 weeks.
A spokesperson for Pensions said; “We
worked closely with our Health Business
Services colleagues in Payroll, Digital
and HR Payroll Systems and Analytics to
ensure that relevant data has been
collated for payment periods to enable a
full historical statement to issue”.
Benefit statements will reflect the period
from 2013 2018 inclusive and following
on from this year, will issue on a yearly
basis.
Further Single Scheme Pension details
are available here. Information supports
for Legacy Pension Schemes members
continue to be available on HSE.ie
profiling the following:
• Interim Grade statements
• Pension estimator
• Local Pension Area contact details
Please email [email protected] for any
further queries.
General Manager Martina O’Byrne, from the Pension Improvement Programme describes this “as the first initiative in the progression of our multiyear programme of work which encompasses developing and enhancing how Pension information is gathered, collated and communicated to our employees”.
Project Manager Fiona Doohan has led the programme team on this significant work in data collation for the Single Scheme encompassing all payment areas nationally, resulting in approximately 35,000 pension benefit statements issuing to HSE employees.
Pension Improvement Programme – developing and enhancing our pension information
21the HBS news // Vol. III
HBS Standards & Compliance supporting the Internal Control Review Process 2019 The HBS Standards & Compliance
(S&C) Unit have initiated and
developed an awareness programme to
support HBS staff.
The HBS Internal Control Review Process
(ICRP) is there to assist staff with the
completion of Controls Assurance Review
Process (CARP) and promote awareness
of the importance of HBS being compliant
within its Internal Controls.
The HSE Annual Review of Internal
Controls Process is currently underway.
The purpose of the annual review is to
provide evidencebased assurance to the
chief executive officer and the board on
the effectiveness of the controls in place
within the HSE, and that any weaknesses
are being addressed. The assurance
provided is relied upon by the chairman in
writing to the Minister For Health on
certain matters as set out in the Code of
Practice for the Governance of State
Bodies. The HSE 2019 CARP is for staff
at Grade VIII (or equivalent salary grade)
and above.
What is Required?Grade VIII (or equivalent salary grade)
and above are relied upon to be
responsible for the tasks that are
assigned to them and to carry out these
tasks in compliance with relevant Policies,
Procedures, Protocols & Guidelines
(PPPGs) & Laws. There is a requirement
to provide assurance to line managers in
this regard on an ongoing basis and
annually in this HSE CARP.
In preparation for this, the HBS
Standards & Compliance Unit have an
ICRP Awareness Programme Library, on
the S&C page of the HBS Site.
There is a repository of relevant
documentation and key information
available to support staff with the ICRP
this November. We want staff to
understand, be comfortable with and be
well prepared for this process.
Contact the unit if you have any
queries: [email protected]
ICRP Checklist
You will be required to:
1. Complete the Internal Control
Questionnaire (ICQ) online.
2. Complete and Sign the following
Statements:
Statement of Positions Held in a
Charitable Body/Voluntary
Fundraising Committee, if
applicable and,
Data Protection It's Everyone's
Responsibility Confirmation Form.
3. Complete and sign the Controls
Assurance Statement (CAS).
22 the HBS news // Vol. III
AAmmbbaassssaaddoorrss ffoorr FFuuttuurree HHeeaalltthh SSkkiillllss PPrrooggrraammmmee
Health Business Services and the Office of the
Chief Information Officer have collaborated
with the Department of Communications, Climate
Action and Environment to launch a programme
for HSE staff. The aim of this foundational
programme is to guide staff through utilising the
digital tools they already have access to and build
on their digital literacy skills. Within the Health
Service environment, there is great advantage in
networking in order to align change and service
improvement at local and national level. A
framework of support to managers and staff
across the health and social care system is a key
enabler for supporting these change initiatives.
This programme:– Will inspire and encourage staff to become
confident online by working on existing digital
platforms and services along with fostering
valuable partnerships in supporting digital
transformation
– Is part of the Government's Digital Skills for
Citizen Scheme which will be hosted in Carlow,
Cork, Dublin and Kerry
– Will be delivered over three halfday sessions
in three consecutive weeks
Foundational topics covered within this programme:
– Introduction to the internet
– HSE online services
– Social Media
– Search Engines
– Email and more
Click here to learn more about the programme.
This initiative is sponsored by HBS National
Director Jane Carolan and Fran Thompson,
Interim Chief Information Officer, eHealth Ireland/
OoCIO.It is funded by The Department of
Communications, Climate Action and
Environment.
The Ambassadors For Future Health Skills is in
line with the National Digital Strategy, focused on
encouraging and empowering employees and
citizens to participate fully in Ireland's digital
economy and society.
Driving Digital
If you have any further
queries, contact
23the HBS news // Vol. III
Retirement Tribute: Kevin McConville,
Head of HBS HR Payroll Systems & Analytics
During October 2019, there were
many heavy hearts in HBS as Kevin
McConville, Head of HBS HR Payroll
Systems & Analytics (HPSA), began
his life of retirement.
Kevin joined the HSE in 2001 as
Head of Financial Services for
Eastern Health Shared Services
(EHSS) in Parkgate Street. Over the
years, Kevin went on to reach many
milestones throughout his career.
He was part of the management
team that steered the delivery of
financial services to the Eastern
Area Health Authority and three area
health boards at a time of significant
challenge and change.
Kevin and his team also oversaw the
introduction of programme services
that facilitated the establishment of
Tusla Child and Family Services.
Following the establishment of the
HSE and the associated
restructuring programme Kevin went
on to be appointed to Head of
Enterprise Resource Planning
Services (ERPS) which later became
HPSA, SAP Centre of Excellence, as
we now know it today.
More recently Kevin played a key
role in the implementation of the
migration of all HSE East employees
to an integrated SAP HR and Payroll
System and the roll out of the NiSRP
selfservice online tool otherwise
known as ESS/MSS. These
milestones are to name but a few
that Kevin and his team have
successfully reached over the
years.
It is safe to say that Kevin has paved
the way for HPSA to continue the
excellent work in contributing to and
leading national projects over the
coming years.
We would like to thank Kevin for his
consistent work
ethic, leadership,
support and
friendship over
the last number
of years, and we
wish him the very
best of luck
with this new
chapter.
HR Payroll Systems and Analytics unit launches Desktop Assistant The HR/Payroll Systems & Analytics (HPSA)
Desktop Assistant was launched during
September 2019.
This application provides a popup assistant
for new users within the SAP HR/Payroll
System.
Desktop Assistant offers 3 modes of support
to our users Demo, Concurrent and Practice
mode.
Demo: The Demo Mode plays the recorded process as demonstrations and displays
explanations for the executed actions.
Concurrent: The concurrent mode is based on the demo mode and is played
back with an additional smaller browser
window next to the live application. This
supports the user by offering help during the
live process. The user must execute the
process in the live application and click to
continue to the next step.
Practice: Expects the user to act within the simulated environment in the same way
as the live application. The mode will only
move to the next step after the user has
followed the instructions in the correct order
shown.
In the initial golive stage the Desktop
Assistant will be exclusively for use by Time
Returning Officers/Time Administrators in the
East. A roll out plan is currently underway in
conjunction with our colleagues in Office of the
Chief Information Officer (OoCIO). The
Desktop Assistant will be of benefit to all new
users of the SAP HR/Payroll System for all
modules in due course.
If you are a Time Returning Officer and you
require access to this support tool please visit
the link below to complete the Desktop
Assistant access form.
Desktop Assistant Access Form available here Please note it is a prerequisite that you log
in to Citrix Storefront https://
storefront.healthirl.net/Citrix/AppStoreWeb/
to enable use of this facility. Kevin McConville
24 the HBS news // Vol. III