Annual Report 2010 - St. James's Hospital
Annual Report 2010 - St. James's Hospital
Annual Report 2010 - St. James's Hospital
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Corporate <strong>Report</strong>s I Introduction from the Chairman <strong>2010</strong><br />
Allied to these developments is the innovative proposal put<br />
forward by Ian Carter for an integrated system of care of the<br />
elderly and the management of chronic disease. The proposal<br />
would link primary, community, long-term care and acute<br />
hospital services in a coordinated and comprehensive care<br />
system. It offers an effective remedy for the longstanding<br />
misuse of acute hospitals for the care of elderly patients<br />
who need the customised services of a nursing home or<br />
step-down facility rather than acute care. It is hoped that the<br />
proposal can be quickly implemented.<br />
There are many other ideas and developments that keep<br />
emerging and that shows the vitality of the institution and its<br />
culture of advancing knowledge and new solutions alongside<br />
its services. <strong>St</strong>. James’s offers abundant evidence that an Irish<br />
hospital can match the best in the world.<br />
This is my last Chairman’s introduction to the <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong>.<br />
My second term as Chairman ends in early 2011. I am<br />
very grateful that I had the privilege of chairing the Board of<br />
the hospital over past nine years. It has been a stimulating<br />
learning experience that has greatly increased my respect<br />
for the quality and dedication of those who work in the<br />
hospital sector. I have had the privilege of working with two<br />
outstanding CEO’s, John O’Brien and Ian Carter.<br />
I want to thank them, and all the members of the Board who<br />
have served with me and have generously, and in a most<br />
constructive spirit, given their time and talent to help guide<br />
the work of the hospital. I also want to thank the entire staff<br />
of the hospital who, even in diffi cult times, have shown an<br />
inspiring esprit de corps and a concern to put care of patients<br />
ahead of all else. I owe a special word of thanks to Therese<br />
O’Connor, who in addition to her other duties, has acted as<br />
my personal assistant. She is a special person of high ability<br />
and dedication.<br />
I am particularly happy as I end my term that my successor<br />
will be Professor Derry Shanley. He is admirably qualifi ed as a<br />
former Dean of the Dental School and of the Faculty of Health<br />
Sciences. I have had fi rsthand experience of his effectiveness<br />
as a leader and of his dedication to public service and to the<br />
advancement of healthcare. I wish him well.<br />
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