Michael Madigan, PPI Representative, Audit Impact Committee & Irish Heart Attack Audit Governance Committee

How I used the NOCA bursary

I attended the HSE Patient and Public Partnership Conference 2025 on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Croke Park in Dublin. The bursary covered my hotel accommodation for the night before the conference.   Conferences such as this tend to start early, and living outside the capital city means a very early start.  Staying close to the conference venue was invaluable to me and made the conference day itself a better experience for me.  

What I learned at the conference? 

I had previously attended this conference.  This year brought it home to me that patient partnership is continuing to grow in our health service.   Since I  had a heart attack almost 10 years ago, and began to become involved, this partnership has accelerated.  It is now as a movement, with a shared cause of health service improvement between patient partners and healthcare workers.  The event was co-chaired by Sandra Broderick, Regional Executive Officer,  & John Wall, Patient Partner, HSE Mid West.  Seeing John co-chair the conference, shows what can be possible on this partnership journey.  

I was impressed by the extraordinary number of poster and exhibits at the conference, showing the amount of ongoing partnership work throughout the health service.  The panel discussions with patient partners  and healthcare workers were further examples of this work taking place in hospitals, in disability services and mental health, with patient partners delivering this messages at this national forum.    

In my role as a patient advocate for patients with heart disease, I  ensure that every patient’s voice is heard, especially those who can’t speak up on their own.  I found the round table discussions valuable and dynamic, with lots of ideas generated.   The conference was also a great place to network and meet people, with new opportunities to become involved such as with the development of an electronic health record.    

What I took away? 

I am more confident that organisations such as the HSE and NOCA are listening to patient and carers, following through to shape services to meet all of our needs. 

Mandy Daly, PPI Representative, Children and Young People's (CYP) Audit Advisory Committee

How I used the NOCA bursary? 

The NOCA bursary supported my attendance at the 36th Annual Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) Federation International Trainers Meeting in Copenhagen, where I delivered the Dr. Heidelise Als Lecture and represented the parent and public voice in neonatal care. The NIDCAP Federation International seeks an improved future for all infants in hospitals and their families with individualised, developmental, family-centered, research-based care. 

Conference messages 

The meeting highlighted the central importance of partnerships with families, the lifelong impact of early nurturing environments, and the global commitment to individualised, family-centred developmental care. Key takeaways included the value of reflective practice and peer learning, the need for thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, and the powerful role of personal NICU experiences in shaping compassionate, developmentally supportive care for infants and families.   

What I took away? 

Serving as a PPI Representative with the National Office of Clinical Audit has reinforced my commitment to ensuring that patient and public voices are not only heard but meaningfully embedded in national healthcare auditing. Through active involvement in NOCA’s Children's and Young People's Audit Advisory Committee, I have advocated for clarity, accessibility, and transparency in how audit findings are developed and communicated. This role has highlighted the critical influence that informed patient perspectives can have in shaping audits that truly reflect the needs, expectations, and lived experiences of the public. It has strengthened my belief that strong, accountable PPI involvement is essential for driving equity, improving outcomes, and supporting a more patient-centred healthcare system.