SAP CoE Team Day: A celebration of Collaboration and Innovation
Introduction
On October 1, 2024, the SAP CoE Team Day was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo, attended by SAP CoE team members alongside distinguished guest speakers, including Damien McCallion, HSE Chief Technology Transformation Officer (CTTO); Fran Thompson, HSE Chief Information Officer (CIO); and Nodlaig Carroll, HSE Organisational Health Lead. The Senior Management Team of SAP CoE also presented updates on their areas of responsibility, setting a collaborative tone for the day. Margaret Kilmartin, Head of SAP CoE, opened the event, welcoming everyone and highlighting the importance of the gathering. This was the first time for the full SAP CoE team to meet in person since 2017 and the event was appreciated by all in attendance.
Keynote Address by Damien McCallion
The first speaker, Damien McCallion, shared insights into key developments in Ireland's healthcare system, emphasising the crucial role of digital transformation and policy support in improving care access.He spotlighted the recently approved Digital for Care program—a unique initiative backed by all political parties aimed at enhancing data access, healthcare quality, and addressing health inequalities. This bipartisan commitment signals a sustained focus on healthcare, regardless of future governmental shifts.
Damien addressed the significant challenges facing the healthcare sector, including rising service demands and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on waiting lists and hospital pressures. He underscored that digital transformation is vital for tackling these challenges, using the NHS's struggles as a cautionary tale.
Digital Framework and Future Plans
To combat healthcare pressures, a comprehensive seven-year digital framework has been launched, encompassing six key areas: patient empowerment, connected care, collaboration with tech companies, infrastructure upgrades, data-driven services, and workforce management. A significant emphasis is placed on virtual care solutions, which reduce the need for physical hospital beds and allow for more cost-effective care.
Damien also discussed upcoming digital tools, such as a patient-facing health app and Electronic Health Records (EHR), which aim to engage patients more actively in their care. He stressed the importance of reliable data for informed decision-making and the need for continued funding to advance the digital health agenda over the next seven years.
Insights from Fran Thompson, CIO
Next, Fran Thompson, CIO, expressed gratitude for the often-underappreciated contributions of corporate staff in supporting patient care. He highlighted the critical role of managing payroll and financial systems, acknowledging the complexities involved in ensuring everyone is compensated accurately. Fran emphasised the significance of projects like the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS), which will consolidate financial systems for the first time, marking a transformational milestone for the HSE. He encouraged the team to communicate clearly, moving away from technical jargon to ensure messages resonate throughout the organisation. Themes of trust and reputation were central to his message, emphasising the importance of delivering on commitments and maintaining integrity.Fran praised the team's problem-solving abilities and their capacity to drive impactful change, urging them to embrace curiosity and critical thinking while continuing to build the HSE’s credibility and success.
SAP CoE Senior Management Updates
The SAP CoE Senior Management Team then took the stage, sharing the roadmap ahead and providing updates on their respective areas, discussing recent achievements and future plans.
Employee Well-being and Psychosocial Aspects
After lunch, Nodlaig Carroll, HSE Organisational Lead, emphasised the psychosocial aspects of work and their significance on employee well-being. She noted that post-COVID workplace dynamics, particularly remote collaboration, present challenges for newer employees in forming essential relationships. In this fastpaced world, many are juggling personal challenges while striving to maintain professionalism. The overwhelming nature of modern life, exacerbated by constant technological updates, adds to this stress. Research shows that 53% of workers are prioritising their well-being more since the pandemic. Despite efforts to plan, interruptions often derail goals, amplifying stress and negatively impacting mental health. Prolonged stress is linked to serious health issues, with many employees reporting exhaustion. While flexible work arrangements offer benefits, they also pose challenges for team dynamics. Thus, prioritising mental health, fostering supportive environments, and promoting self-care are essential for enhancing engagement, collaboration, and overall well-being in the workplace.
Conclusion
The day was filled with insightful discussions, and attendees enjoyed lively breaks featuring prize raffles that added an element of surprise to the day. The fun continued with a spirited Rock, Paper, Scissors game, bringing laughter and camaraderie to the team. The competitiveness truly shone during the table quiz, where staff showcased their knowledge and teamwork. All in all, a great day for the SAP CoE Team.
