HSE Dublin and South East launches inaugural Patient and Service User Partnership Council

“Patients, service users and staff strengthening our health service together”

HSE Dublin and South East has marked an important step in strengthening patient and public partnership with the establishment of its first Patient and Service User Partnership Council. The Partnership Council will bring patients, service users, carers, community representatives and staff together to help shape and improve health services across the region.

The Partnership Council held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, providing members with an opportunity to build relationships, establish a shared vision and agree how they will work together to influence and strengthen regional health services.

What is the Patient and Service User Partnership Council

The Partnership Council brings together public partners and regional staff, with the aim of making positive change in the health system. The Partnership Council will advise regional leadership on priorities for service improvement and make recommendations informed by lived experience, evidence and community perspectives.

This reflects the region’s commitment to delivering more accessible, equitable and integrated care.

Who is on the Patient and Service User Partnership Council

Following a public recruitment campaign, 10 patient and public partners were selected to join the Partnership Council, bringing a wealth of experience advocating for their communities, patients and organisations. There are also 10 staff members on the Partnership Council from social inclusion, mental health engagement, public health and the HSE Dublin and South East leadership team.

Members represent the three integrated healthcare areas in the Dublin and South East health region and have a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. This supports them to advocate for different groups of people and communities, particularly those who may have adverse life experiences and health outcomes.

Martina Queally, Regional Executive Officer (REO), HSE Dublin and South East, said: “Today represents a significant step towards a new way of working, one based on genuine partnership between patients, service users, carers, communities and health service staff. This Regional Partnership Council has the opportunity to deepen our understanding of how partnership works best and to share that learning across the HSE.

“The strength of the Partnership Council lies in the diversity of experience, perspectives and expertise around the table. I look forward to the valuable contributions our Partnership Council members will bring to our work in HSE Dublin and South East and to the impact we can achieve together for the people and communities we serve.”

Lorna Kerin, Regional Patient and Service User Engagement Lead and Council Co-Chair, welcomed the development. “It is exciting to launch this new regional Partnership Council bringing patients, service users and staff together in genuine partnership to improve health outcomes and experiences of care.

“Our members bring extensive experience of service use, service delivery, service management, advocacy and health research. This diversity of perspective ensures discussions are informed, balanced and focused on achieving meaningful improvements.”

Lorna noted the Partnership Council’s priority will be to “co-design an evidence informed, outcomes-based work programme that draws on patient experience data, population health information and community insights to help identify opportunities for service improvement across the region”.

“Our inaugural meeting was an important first step in building relationships, developing a shared vision and establishing how we will work together to create positive change,” she continued.

Anne Cleary, Council Co-Chair, added: ”By engaging in this process of partnership, we insert a critical link between the service and the service user. Working together in a trusting and transparent way, there is the potential to improve services which will result in better outcomes for patients, communities and populations in our health region. This first meeting represents an important step towards embedding patient and service user voices within regional decision making and partnership structures.”

Anne Lawlor, Partnership Council Member and former Co-Chair of the HSE National Patient Forum, said: "Over the past decade, I have seen how meaningful partnership between patients, service users and healthcare staff can influence positive change. By listening to lived experience, focusing on what matters most to people, and working together towards the shared vision of Sláintecare, we can help create a health service that delivers the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“This Regional Partnership Council provides an important opportunity to build on that experience and support sustainable improvements for our families and communities.”