Delivering exceptional care
With a strong vision to be a leader in healthcare in Ireland, innovative to new medical developments and services, and empowering to staff in reaching their full potential, Bon Secours Health System’s future is optimistic. John McPhillips, Group HR Direct
“To continue to support the healthcare needs of our communities, one of our main goals is to grow our services and invest in new developments,” says McPhillips. “Bon Secours Health System is currently investing €150 million over the next five years, as part of its ambitious 2020 Plan to deliver Advanced Medicine Exceptional Care across its hospital sites in Ireland.”
Bon Secours Health System is the largest private Hospital Group in Ireland, with a network of five modern JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited acute hospitals in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Tralee, as well as a Care Village in Cork. The Group employs over 3,000 staff who, with 450 leading consultants, work in partnership to provide the highest standard of care to more than 280,000 patients each year across all hospitals and the Care Village.
“Recently, Minister Jim Daly marked another important milestone in the history of Bon Secours Hospital Cork, turning the sod on a €77m development at the largest private hospital in Ireland, which has been treating patients in the Munster region for over 100 years,” says McPhillips. “The extensive expansion is the largest ever investment undertaken by the Bon Secours Health System. Other developments include the recent acquisition and development of Bon Secours Hospital Limerick at Barringtons, the opening of a new Cath Lab in Galway, the expansion of our Care Village, and the development of new theatres and Consultant Clinics in Tralee.”
McPhillips says innovation is also vital in the ever-changing healthcare landscape.
“We need to continue to invest in our
THERE ARE EXCELLENT CAREER PROSPECTS. IN PARTICULAR, A KEY PRIORITY FOR 2017 WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NURSE RECRUITMENT ACTION PLAN
infrastructure and facilities, along with our innovative practice to benefit our patients. Such an example of innovation includes the launch of our Direct Access Endoscopy Service at Bon Secours Hospital Dublin, together with the simultaneous commencement of the innovative small bowel capsule endoscopy pilot programme for PillCAM.
“These are all testament to our plans for growth, and continuous development.”
OPENING DOORS
These new developments open up a door full of opportunities for both candidates moving back to Ireland after living abroad, or those already living here.
“There are excellent career prospects. In particular, a key priority for 2017 was the development of a Nurse Recruitment Action Plan,” says McPhillips. “We have already increased our workforce in 2017 with the development and launch of our new services. The Bon Secours Health System has invested heavily in the recruitment of nurses through attendance at Jobs Expo, overseas recruitment initiatives, open evenings and targeted social media campaigns. We are planning to expand our Care Village in Cork in 2018, which will require an increase in Nursing Staff and Health Care Assistants.”
McPhillips adds, “Bon Secours Health System is a well-respected and progressive employer. We want to become a better one and to be recognized as a healthcare provider and employer of choice. We have an ambitious and exciting plan to get there – our People Strategy 2017-2020. Being a ‘Great Place to Work and an Employer of Choice’ means proactively building a workplace environment where staff trust those they work for, appreciate working as part of an innovative team, and becoming part of the Bons family. It means having pride in what they do and enjoying working with those around them, within the distinct culture of our organisation.
“We will enhance and strengthen our employer brand in ways that enable us to attract, engage and retain the most talented people to make a positive difference in healthcare delivery.”
When asked about the type of candidates the Bon Secours Health System looks for, McPhillips says “enthusiastic, self-motivated employees with a passion to make a difference.”
He continues, “Our employees embody the Bon Secours Health System’s values of respect, justice, integrity, stewardship, innovation, compassion and quality. They are what make our ‘outstanding people’. Such values empower us all to achieve our very best for the patients we serve.
“Complementary to our vision to create a great workplace, we will continue to promote, champion and support our staff in their leadership and management growth with a view to creating an organisation built on excellence and continuous development. As part of our People Strategy, we have developed a Leadership and Management Development Strategy, including a Leadership and Management Competency Framework aligned to our values.
“In partnership with the Institute of Leadership at the RCSI, we will continue to build on the targeted suite of the Leadership Development Programmes and Nursing Development Programmes already in place. We will also introduce further programmes to meet the needs of our staff and the organisation, for example, frontline management and clinicians.”
PATH TO SUCCESS
McPhillips says the Health System will also be introducing career pathways and succession management programmes to identify career opportunities that prepare and stretch employees to succeed. This is envisaged to span all staff categories across the organisation, and to be part of the Group’s talent-spotting commitment to new joiners and existing staff, leading to career skills, matching and development.
As well as a commitment to the career development of staff, the Group also believes that the unique skills, diversity and hard work of staff should be celebrated and rewarded.
“The Bon Secours Health System maintains competitiveness, with attractive rates of pay and allowances. For staff to feel recognised and valued, the Bon Secours Health System host a group-wide Annual Staff Recognition and Awards event to celebrate their success, achievements and dedication. This is in addition to a range of initiatives taking place locally, which also highlights our commitment to recognising staff.
“We have done a considerable amount of work to ensure we look after the health and wellbeing of our staff. We are committed to caring for them through our occupational health facilities, health screening, employee assistance programmes, stress management support such as mindfulness training, and wellbeing promotions such as staff mindfulness, pilates and yoga programmes.”
McPhillips considers the new year to be a great time to take stock of your career and look for new opportunities.
“Look for roles in which you can make a real difference and work in a culture that values your talent and contribution. Bon Secours Health System is waiting for you and is always seeking talented individuals and professionals who have a passion for change, career development and want to deliver excellence in patient care.”
For further information on careers and opportunities available within the Bon Secours Health System, visit www.bonsecours.ie/careers. The full details of the 2020 Action Plan are outlined on www.bonsecours.ie/2020-strategy-plan