HSE productivity unit focusing on outpatient activity

Outpatient department (OPD) productivity is a key focus for the HSE national productivity unit (NPU), this newspaper has been informed.

The NPU’s work has included collaboration with statutory and voluntary clinical services to “focus on practical ways” to optimise OPD productivity, a HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent.

This process has included the use of behavioural science insights to support progress on waiting time targets. It has also involved leveraging successful initiatives and applying the lessons learned from implementing HSE strategies.

The unit, which was established in June 2024, comprises four senior HSE staff and three senior external consultants from Ernst and Young (EY). It is headed by Ms Mary Coghlan of EY, who reports directly to the HSE CEO.

The NPU has a “broad remit” including the identification of productivity improvement opportunities, advice on implementation, measurement, and publication of available data. 

“It collaborates with colleagues to identify opportunities to optimise productivity in many HSE areas; this involves many professional disciplines, including consultants. The focus is on the collective output of workstreams and practices rather than on individual professions.” 

This year, the unit’s central aim is to support the HSE CEO and the six regional executive officers to drive and deliver the priority actions of the joint Department of Health/HSE productivity and savings taskforce plan.