Dr Niamh Clarke accepting from Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, the award won by the CHO8 Children’s Services Design-Led Project, watched by, on left, Andrew Walsh, programme management lead, Change and Innovation, HSE Dublin and Midlands; Anne Marie Hoey, HSE chief people officer; Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO; Sharon Kennelly, general manager, Change and Innovation, HSE Dublin and Midlands; and Dr Michelle Howard, clinical design and innovation lead, Spark Innovation Programme; with, on right, Carole Broadbank, integrated healthcare area manager, Dublin and Midlands Regional Area.

Children’s services project wins national HSE Excellence award

Published: Tue 30 Dec 2025, 9:56 AM

Last updated: Tue 30 Dec 2025, 10:49 AM

A children’s services initiative led by Loughnavalley health professional Dr Niamh Clarke has won national recognition at the HSE Excellence Awards.

The project, titled CHO8 Children’s Services Design-Led Project, was named winner in the patient experience category at the awards ceremony, in Farmleigh House on Thursday December 4.

The award recognises initiatives that improve patient and service user experience across the health service. In total, the HSE Dublin and Midlands Region had four winning projects and a runner-up at the event.

The project led by Ms Clarke, general manager with the IHA Midlands, focused on creating a more unified, timely and family-focused children’s services model. Central to the work was extensive engagement with families, young people and professionals, with more than 370 stakeholders involved in shaping the final outcomes.

The initiative placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that the voices of children and their families directly influence how services are accessed and delivered. As part of the project, the team co-designed a Single Point of Access, an integrated Autism Assessment pathway, and a range of parent communication resources aimed at improving clarity, consistency and support for families navigating the system.

Welcoming the awards, regional executive officer for HSE Dublin and Midlands, Kate Killeen White, said the recognition reflected the commitment and innovation shown by staff working to improve care.

"These awards are more than a celebration of achievements, they are a tribute to the passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment of our colleagues who make a real difference every day," she said, adding that the work carried out by the teams exemplified a patient-centred approach to service design.

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster also praised award recipients for their creativity and dedication, noting that such projects help pave the way for a stronger and more responsive health service.

The HSE Excellence Awards aim to showcase best practice and share learning across the organisation, with winning projects often influencing service delivery beyond their original region.