By Andrew Cannon, CEO, Medica Group
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of stepping into the role of a frontline healthcare assistant, joining our Medica Ireland team across our clinics in Carrickmines, Navan Road, Arklow, Swords and the Coombe Hospital. Every year, I spend time in the field, and having joined Medica last April, this week was an opportunity for me to immerse myself in the front-line operations in Ireland, meet the people behind the work, and gain a deeper understanding of both the demands and the impact of what we do.
My goal is always the same: to break down the barriers that get in the way of people’s work and to ensure our company’s purpose, improving patient lives through excellence in diagnostics and research, is fully realised. The week left me both humbled and inspired, and I’d like to share my reflections from each day.
Day one – Carrickmines
I kicked off the week at the VHI facility in Carrickmines, spending the day across several departments. From DEXA scanning and CT to X-ray and MRI, I was afforded a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of our staff, and it was great to see just how dedicated the team is to patient care. The focus on patient experience and quality was apparent throughout every interaction.
I learned so much in just one day – there’s no better way to understand the nuances of our work than by being in the field, asking questions, and seeing first-hand the incredible impact we have on patient’s lives. I left Carrickmines with a notebook full of ideas and inspiration for how we can continue to improve.
Day two – Navan Road
Day two was physically demanding as I spent the day assisting with the paediatric ultrasound service – the team there delivering short, 20-minute scans for children aged 4 to 16. Tara Fletcher, our Ultrasound Services Manager, was a fantastic mentor, and I was grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her. We had a tight schedule, and I had a lot of questions for the fantastic team of Niamh and Elaine, but they answered each one patiently whilst still running to time and anticipating the needs of a wide client group.
I had a hands-on-role in managing patient intake, from verifying IDs to prepping patients and cleaning beds between scans. I was able to observe how the team worked tirelessly to put the children at ease during their scans. The care and professionalism were exemplary, and I left the day with insights into the systems, equipment, and practices and where we might support more effectively, particularly on using Healthlink and improving the equipment in our Dun Laoghaire site.
Day three – Arklow
Arklow offered a completely different experience. Despite being a small town with a population of around 12,000, the diagnostic centre there is a crucial healthcare resource for the local community. I had the pleasure of working alongside Theresa in X-ray and George in Ultrasound, both of whom were exceptional and deeply patient-focused. The worklist was busy, and the patient group was slightly older, which required a great deal of reassurance and care throughout the day.
Michelle and team’s dedication to delivering high-quality care was truly inspiring. It highlighted just how important it is to provide rapid access to essential healthcare services, even in smaller, more rural settings. I felt honoured to work alongside such a committed team, and the experience made me reflect on the vital role we play in ensuring healthcare is accessible to all.
Day four – Swords
It was another unique experience working alongside Grace and Georgina at a VHI 360 Health X-ray clinic, supporting urgent care. The client group was diverse, but it was an incredibly valuable day. I learned about the studies that Grace and her team have led on the Ottawa guidelines for knee and ankle X-rays in cases of suspected fractures, as well as their work on quality audits. It was great to see the growing use of a guideline that aims to reduce unnecessary interventions while still effectively identifying fractures.
Day five – The Coombe Hospital
My final day was spent at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin, a hospital specialising in women’s and children’s healthcare. I had the heart-warming opportunity to support new mothers and babies at a DDH (Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip) clinic. It was incredible to work with such a compassionate team of Max and Elaine, offering reassurance to new parents and their babies.
The diversity of the families and their backgrounds made this experience particularly special and the pride I felt in the care provided by our teams left a lasting impact on me.
Reflections
Reflecting on the week, there are countless takeaways and opportunities for reflection and improvement. Above all, my key takeaway was the outstanding dedication of the Medica Ireland teams to our patients. I feel incredibly fortunate to witness, first-hand, the deep connections and commitment that each member of our team demonstrates in delivering the highest standards of care and quality.
This week reaffirmed what I’ve always known: our purpose—improving lives through excellence in diagnostics and research—is not just a statement, but something that is truly lived and breathed by every person on the team. It was humbling to see that in action every single day.
