The time is right to do what is right Martin Luther King

Time is always the enemy of one who wants to achieve change – time always runs out. As I write this final blog, I think of what was achieved during my term as CEO, but also of what still remains to be done. The journey to safe high quality person-centred care is a never-ending one. We strive to make a difference.  

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” – Nelson Mandela

It  has been five years since I started my journey with you at ISQua and now it is time to say farewell. I have been honoured and privileged to be the CEO and to be tasked with transformation of the Society into a global organisation with an impact around the world. I have visited many of you over the years, meeting people who are dedicated to making a difference. I have been inspired by your determination.

"In a gentle way you can shake the world" - Mahatma Gandhi

Over the past 5 years, ISQua has moved from being a mainly upper income association of organisations and members to one that is truly global. Our members now come from just about every region of the world and this is the strength of the organisation. COVID has taught us of the need to learn rapidly and to share our experience, the humanity of suffering, redemption, sadness and joy all together.

“Always be a little kinder than necessary.” —James M. Barrie

It has taken a pandemic with all the consequences of lack of preparedness and often an inadequate response, for us to realise how fallible we are. There are many lessons on what true leadership should look like and how the absence of leadership can be catastrophic. The success of the response has rested on the hard work of those on the frontline and on the acceptance of citizens to be sensible and follow public health advice.

It always seems impossible until it’s done.  Nelson Mandela

The pandemic has been challenging to us all and has changed our lives. In the message in the last newsletter I wrote that we have had hard times but also there have been good times. 

After a year of living with COVID-19, I would like to reflect on the way we have responded to the pandemic and how it has impacted on the quality of care. While it may be easy to look back and find fault in how we responded, there are many positives and lessons that can be taken forward.

As we look to the future, the healthcare industry is at a critical juncture. The rapid development of theories on how to deliver safe, person-centred care means that we can no longer rely on the excuse that “healthcare is different” from other industries and cannot be reliable and safe. People are now demanding safety and reliability in the care they receive, and they want to be treated as people who happen to be ill rather than as a number or a disease.

The Mission of ISQua is "to inspire and empower people to advocate for and facilitate health and improvements, in the quality and safety of healthcare worldwide. Our vision is to transform health, and the quality and safety of healthcare, through global communities."

We achieve this by providing KNOWLEDGE building our NETWORK and giving you a VOICE

Over the past year, ISQua has extended its presence in all the regions of the WHO. I want to thank ISQua’s Officers, Board members, Academy Members and ISQua Experts for helping to spread ISQua vision.

The last month has been pretty busy for me as the ISQua conference took place in Cape Town. This affords me the opportunity to reflect on the key lessons that came out of the conference that may apply to the Irish Healthcare system. There is more than enough for more than one article so I probably will use the concepts over a few, writes Dr. Pater Lachman.