Honoured to share stage with @svig2 @EstherMclarty and members of @ASiTofficial as we discuss recovery of surgery, training and collaboration with stakeholders including industry partners @ASiTofficial @JCST_Surgery @hiranihealth @RCSEd @RCSnews @RCSI_Irl @rcpsglasgow @healthdpt
Delighted that nearly 800 surgical trainees are in Belfast this weekend along with all the College Presidents, invited speakers and faculty. You will find a very warm welcome from the city of Belfast. I look forward to joining this extremely important conference @VisitBelfast
A picture of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt next to text, which reads; “Mike Farrar has a long and impressive track record of health service leadership in the United Kingdom and brings considerable experience of healthcare systems in this country and overseas. This will be of great benefit as we tackle the tremendous challenges in health and social care in Northern Ireland. “I have often spoken of my admiration for Peter May whose wisdom, experience, integrity and leadership has proved invaluable during an extremely challenging period for our health and social care system”
The Health Minister welcomed the appointment of Mike Farrar as interim Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health.
Minister Nesbitt also paid tribute to the retiring current Permanent Secretary Peter May.
🔗health-ni.gov.uk/news/health-minister-welcomes-interim-permanent-secretary-appointment
Thought for the day!
I didn’t realise NI had so many experts on the running of safe, high quality, positive outcomes, elective and emergency General Surgery service (ie abdominal surgery). Part of an explanation of why we can’t bring about necessary reform in this country!!
Ok 2025 let’s make it count! Many challenges ahead with our health and social care service! Collective actions MORE, fine words of intent LESS🙌
Still some places available for this “Update on Pancreatic Cancer” @kingsbridgehosp.bsky.social Training Academy
2025 will be an exciting year for @sonotarg
Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and Prosperous New Year!
4/4
Change is very difficult and made much harder by personal attacks and professional rivalries! Everyone of us must ask a simple question. Will our actions make a difference for the better for our patients. Spent ten years trying to influence such change and getting very tired
3/4 As @rafabengoa said medical and managerial re-integration is key. Leadership tight on outcomes but loose on the ways to achieve it. 2025 must be a year of constant delivery and strong, visible medical leadership. We have more than enough reports and expert opinions
2/3
However one thing for sure. Every day our staff come into work to try and deliver the very best care they can. Often frustrated by situations outwith their control. There is a real onus on system leaders to embrace a ‘bottom up’ approach. Trust the people at the coalface!
As Christmas approaches reflecting on last year in our HSCNI. Despite some rays of light (ambulatory centres, EOSCs, assembly back, framework and three year plan) there is still a massive amount of work to do! Does it feel different on the ground? I’m not sure! 1/2
Very busy weekend but delighted to have made it to @BelfastTrust General Surgery Christmas dinner at Waterman restaurant Belfast. Wonderful to have whole team (except those on-call) together! Happy Christmas everyone
Amen
Hard to believe #pancreaticcancerawarenessmonth is over. However, every day of the year someone, somewhere is told that they have pancreatic cancer. We must continue to raise as much awareness to achieve earlier diagnosis and continue global research to improve prognosis 🙏
We're excited to announce our partnership with Kingsbridge Private Hospital, co-funding Northern Ireland's first Pancreatic Cancer Support Nurse to help patients and families. More details soon! Learn the symptoms: nipanc.org/symptoms #PCAM #TimeMatters
youtu.be/nxobp_f5bYs
Professor Mark Taylor interviewing Mary Peters, Philip Doyle and Ewen McAteer
Should Nolan be worried Mark? You're turning into quite the prolific interviewer
What a honour for me! Interviewing Lady Mary Peters, Olympic rower Philip Doyle and the amazing gymnast Ewen McAteer at the study day in Lisburn Civic centre today!
And we are GO! @210MMR annual clinical study day. Fantastic range of speakers and the opportunity to interview Lady Mary Peters, Philip Doyle and Ewen McAteer three of our wonderful sporting heroes in NI
It’s World Pancreatic Cancer Day! Today we spotlight symptoms, early diagnosis, and our work improving patient pathways. Follow us for updates from Dublin’s Pancreatic Cancer Society meeting & our new Kingsbridge partnership. nipanc.org/symptoms #PCAM #TimeMatters
And we are off! President @ThePancSocGBI @OonaghGriffinRD starts the conference on World Pancreatic Cancer Day.
I am so sad to hear this news today about Ken Reid. Was talking to Ken only a few weeks ago. One of the best!
2 Timothy 4:7-8 comes to mind “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Rest sir!
Looking forward to a couple of days of education and discussion at PSGBI conference in Dublin
@mmeatock.bsky.social welcome across! Like you X was not for me anymore….
Exactly what I am doing William
Very much looking forward to presenting at @ThePancSocGBI in Dublin this week. Superb programme put together by current president @OonaghGriffinRD Delighted that @NIPANC_ trustees will be there for World Pancreatic Cancer Day….watch this space!!
This is really important information.
Only a few more days left to respond to our IMTAC survey about how easy it is for Deaf, disabled and older people to travel to access health services.
Take the survey surveymonkey.com/r/5BDHBH3
Please share.
It’s already Week 3 of World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month! ⏰ Through our Partners in #TimeMatters campaign, we’re highlighting new services for those facing pancreatic cancer. Learn more: buff.ly/3YRE9jg #PCAM
Just linked to William NI list