Even before opening its doors at Tallaght in 1998, the naming of the hospital was highly debated and much discussed. Despite emerging with the title “The Adelaide and Meath Hospital Dublin Incorporating the National Children’s Hospital” the reality on the ground is that patients, public, media, funders and most of the staff have almost always referred to it as Tallaght Hospital. Therefore, the three Foundations and the Patient’s Forum have agreed with the new Interim Board to finally acknowledge that reality and to change the name to Tallaght Hospital.
The changing of the title to Tallaght Hospital also reflects changes happening in the hospital’s governance and executive structures.
A new Interim Board of Tallaght Hospital was established in December 2011 consisting of 9 Non-Executive Directors and 7 Executive Directors. The Non-Executive Directors were appointed to meet skill sets and competencies regarded as important for contemporary governance in healthcare. The Executive Directors are all employees of the Hospital and understand the healthcare business. Working together, the Directors of the Interim Board are focusing their collective energy on assuring the delivery of safe care to patients, continuous improvement in quality and safety and assuring strong financial stewardship.
The Interim Board has established a new committee structure, including, an Audit Committee and a Quality, Safety and Risk Management Committee, to assist the Board in its governance remit to assure strong financial stewardship and safe, high quality care for patients served by Tallaght Hospital.
While the official title of the Hospital will remain for the time being as the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin Incorporating the National Children’s Hospital until changes in governance legislation are enacted, naming the hospital Tallaght Hospital reflects its focus on the community it serves. In making this transition, the hospital will also highlight our status as a respected teaching hospital of Trinity College Dublin.
Marking the new development at the unveiling of a new sign at the Hospital entrance, Ms Eilísh Hardiman, the new Chief Executive of Tallaght Hospital explains, ‘We want the hallmark of our Hospital to be high quality care and a commitment to patients, their families and our community. Our sign has a simple and clear message about what we are “Tallaght Hospital - A Teaching Hospital of Trinity College Dublin” Our focus is on delivering safe care to patients, ensuring continuous improvement in quality and safety, improving how and where we deliver care and embedding strong financial controls.”
Speaking at the unveiling of the new Hospital title, Marie Price-Bolger, Chairperson of the Hospital’s Patient Forum stated that ‘We are very supportive of all the changes we are seeing take place in the Hospital. We are delighted that the Interim Board will promote and actively encourage openness and transparency. We are also encouraged by the fact that the Hospital is reaching out to the community more than ever before. We are aware that plans are underway in this area. Tallaght Hospital is an integral part of our community and we all look forward to working together to benefit the entire community.’
The interim Board is placing patients, staff and the public at the centre of its activities.
ENDS
