What is HSE South West? 

There are six health regions in Ireland. Each region is in charge of providing hospital care and community care to the people who live there. HSE South West is one of these regions, and we cover Cork and Kerry. 

We provide lots of different types of services, like: 

• Hospital care 
• GP and community care  
• Supports for older adults and people with disabilities 
• Mental health care and support 
• Medical cards and other schemes 

Why are Patient and Service User Partnership Councils being set up in Ireland? 

Ireland’s health plans say patients, service users, and staff should work together. Patient and Service User Partnership Councils will help local people improve health services. Each health region will set up a Patient and Service User Partnership Council. 

What is the Patient and Service User Partnership Council? 

• The council brings patients, service users and carers together with HSE staff. 
• We work as a team to improve health services in the region. 
• The council gives people who use health services a clear way to share what matters to them. Their feedback helps to plan, prioritise and improve services. 
• The council will also give advice to the regional healthcare management team. 
• This will help them provide better services for patients and service users. 

Who can apply? 

You can apply if: 

• You live in Cork or Kerry. 
• You are over 18 years old. 
• You have used health or social care services yourself, or you have helped someone who has used them. 

Who we are looking for: 

You may be a:

1. Patient, service user, carer, or person with lived experience of health or social care. Worker in a voluntary or advocacy group that helps people with health or social care needs. 
2. We want the council to include people from all parts of Cork and Kerry. 
3. We encourage people from under-represented communities to apply. 

For example: 

• People with disabilities 
• Ethnic minorities 
• LGBTQIA+ individuals 
• People with lived mental health experience 
• People from areas affected by social or economic disadvantage
• What is the role of a council member? 

As a council member, you will: 

1. Share your own experience to help shape how health care services are set up and carried out.
2. Describe what services work well and what services could be improved. 
3. Give advice to health leaders and suggest changes to make care more person‑centred. Think about how changes may affect patients and service users. 

What will I do in this role? 

As a council member, you will: 

Attend and take part in council meetings (about every two months). 

Join discussions or engagement activities on service planning and improvement. 

Give feedback on plans, ideas, and other information to help improve services. 

Consider joining extra working groups in the region. 

Work together with other members and HSE staff in a respectful way. 

Skills and qualities that help in the role 

You do not need formal qualifications. 

Helpful qualities include:

• An interest in improving health and social care services. 
• Links to a wider patient or service user community and the ability to share their views. Openness to engage with people who may have different views. 
• Confidence taking part in meetings, giving constructive feedback, and reviewing documents. 
• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Experience working with groups such as committees, forums, or steering groups. 

Understanding the role and the time commitment 

Role type: 

This is a voluntary (unpaid) role. 

We will repay approved costs including: 

• Travel 
• Meals 
• Accessibility supports 

Agreed activities Term: 

• The role lasts for two years. 
• You can take part as a council member for up to two terms. 

Meetings: 

• Meetings usually last two hours and occur every two months. 
• They may be in person, online, or a mix. 
• Extra meetings can take place if members ask for them. 
• We will plan meeting times that suit patient and service user partners. 

Preparation and follow‑up: 

Please plan to spend about 2 to 4 hours each month reading and doing follow‑up tasks. The time commitment is around 4–6 hours per month in total. 

Support and training As a council member, you will: 

• Go to training to help you start the role and get ongoing support. 
• Be repaid for agreed expenses in line with HSE policy. 
• Get support from the HSE Patient and Service User Partnership Team, including a named staff contact for questions or help. 
• Get access to the documents and resources needed for meetings. If you need any supports, we will work with you so you can take part completely. 

Conflict of interest 

A conflict of interest is anything in your life, work, or finances that could make it hard for you to be a council member. 

This could include the following: 

Possible Conflicts It may be a conflict if you: 

• work or live with others who work in the health sector. 
• own or have shares in a health or health technology company. 

Money interests 

It can also be if you are being paid by, own part of, or are receiving benefits from a group connected to the HSE or patient services. 

Being neutral It can also be if there is any situation where someone might ask if you can be neutral, because of your personal life, work, or other connections. 

Even if you feel you can be neutral, it is still important to declare the situation if it could look like your views might be influenced. 

Having a conflict of interest If you think you may have a conflict of interest, this does not mean that you will not be considered as a potential Council member. 

This means we may need to put simple steps in place to make sure things stay fair, such as limiting your role in certain decisions or votes. 

You don’t have to decide yourself whether something is a conflict. 

Simply tell us about anything that might be, and we will guide you. 

Confidentiality and conduct As a council member, you should: 

• Engage with others in a respectful and considerate way. 
• Keep information confidential and maintain HSE values and standards. 
• Work in partnership to create a positive, inclusive, and solution‑focused environment Share any possible conflicts. 

What happens after I complete my Expression of Interest form? 

All expressions of interest for the council will be reviewed by a panel, including the Council Chair (a member of the public) and regional HSE South West staff, based on agreed criteria. 

People selected to move the next stage may be invited to an informal meet and-greet conversation. 

Other ways to get involved in Patient and Service User Partnership in HSE South West What is the Patient and Service User Partnership Panel? 

The Panel is a group of people who want updates about partnership roles and who may apply to join a working group, advisory panel, or committee. 

What is the Patient and Service User Partnership Mailing List? 

The Mailing List is a group for people who want partnership news, event invites, and training information. Over time, some people may choose to move from the Mailing List to the Panel. 

How can I join the Patient and Service User Partnership Panel and the Mailing List? 

To sign up for the Panel and Mailing List please complete the Expression of Interest Form for Patient and Service User Partnership in HSE South West. 

Contact for questions 

If you have questions or need more information, please contact: 

Name: Mr Jimmy Burke 

Role: Regional Patient and Service User Lead, HSE South West 

Email: partnership.southwest@hse.ie Phone: 087 451 7250