National Office of Clinical Audit

𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗔 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 The NOCA Annual Conference 2026 takes place on Tuesday 10 February 2026 as part of @RCSI_Irl Charter Week. Theme: From Audit to Action: A Culture of Improvement Submissions are still open for the NOCA Quality Improvement Champion Award 2026, as well as our call for abstracts for poster presentations. Accepting submissions until Wednesday 14th January. The event will see the launch of the Irish Heart Attack Audit National Report 2024 and the NOCA Impact Report 2026. Further details and registration: noca.ie/news-events/noca-ann… #NOCA2026 #ClinicalAudit #QualityImprovement #FromAuditToAction

Reminder: Registration is still open for our upcoming webinar introducing the Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration Ireland (PCOCI) Quality Improvement Programme as it joins NOCA’s national audit and registry portfolio. Thursday 11th December 2025, 10:30 – 12:00 We are also delighted to announce that @BernardGloster, CEO of the HSE, will provide the welcome address for this important event. The session will explore how PCOCI supports person-centred, data-driven improvement in specialist palliative care, using structured assessment tools to strengthen outcomes for people living with life-limiting conditions. Attendees will hear about the programme, why it matters, and how it is being integrated into NOCA’s wider work. 🔗 Register here: noca.ie/news-events/welcomin…

Last Thursday, we had the pleasure of bringing together our NOCA Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) Representatives for an afternoon of connection, reflection and collaboration. We now have a community of 30 PPI representatives, supporting NOCA’s portfolio of audits and registries and representing 17 advocacy organisations across Ireland. The atmosphere in the room was genuinely uplifting - open, warm, honest and deeply collaborative. The conversations will play a central role in shaping how we enhance involvement, strengthen quality improvement, and refine the development of our next strategy. We celebrated the inclusion of patient stories across seven national reports this year, the growing visibility of patient voice at eight NOCA events, and the incredible contributions our PPI group has made across committees, advisory groups, focus groups and co-design work. The energy and commitment shown reaffirmed something we hold strongly: PPI is not a tokenistic exercise - it is a vital part of how we deliver audits that matter, drive improvement, and keep patients at the centre. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, contributed and created such a positive space. It’s a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated group, and we look forward to all we will achieve together in 2026.

Registration is now open for our upcoming webinar introducing the Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration Ireland (PCOCI) Quality Improvement Programme, which is joining NOCA’s national suite of audits and registries. Thursday 11th December 2025 10:30am – 12:00pm PCOCI is an evidence-based assessment and response framework that uses five clinical tools to help identify and manage common symptoms experienced by people with life-limiting conditions. Its introduction within NOCA will support consistent data collection, national and international benchmarking, and continuous improvement across specialist palliative care services in Ireland. We’ll share an overview of the programme, why this work matters for patient care, and progress to date as PCOCI becomes part of NOCA’s national portfolio. 🔗 Further details and registration here: noca.ie/news-events/welcomin… #PalliativeCare #ClinicalAudit #QualityImprovement

If you missed the launch of the Irish Hip Fracture Database National Report 2024 or would like to revisit the presentations, the full recording is now available to watch back. 🔗 Watch the launch event: vimeo.com/noca/ihfdreport202… Read the IHFD National Report 2024: noca.ie/documents/ihfd-natio… The event featured national trends, best practice, and improvement work across Ireland and internationally. Thank you to all speakers, attendees and the clinical teams whose work underpins the IHFD. Your contributions continue to strengthen hip fracture care for older adults across Ireland. #IHFD2025 #HipFracture

We are delighted to recognise @TUH_Tallaght as the winner of the 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 in the 2024 Irish Hip Fracture Database National Report. Tallaght delivered the largest improvement of any hospital, increasing its Best Practice Tariff (BPT) achievement from 14% in 2023 to 37% in 2024, a 23-percentage-point improvement in just one year. This reflects the commitment, collaboration and determination of a truly multidisciplinary team. As detailed on page 32, the hospital introduced several key changes that strengthened the entire hip fracture pathway: - Hip Bleep system to ensure immediate alerting of hip fracture cases in ED. - A streamlined ED-to-ward admission pathway, prioritising early assessment, bed allocation and rapid Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for pain relief. - A ring-fenced Hip Fracture bed, enabling timely transfer and improved performance on the 4-hour standard. - 7-day physiotherapy service, supporting early mobilisation and adherence to IHFS 7. - Establishment of the Orthogeriatric service, providing comprehensive geriatric assessment, falls prevention, bone health assessment and delirium screening. The team has also embedded a culture of reviewing audit data regularly, using it to identify delays, refine processes and sustain improvement. This award celebrates their outstanding progress and their commitment to ensuring that older adults with hip fractures receive timely, high-quality and compassionate care. #IHFD2025 #HipFracture 🔗d7g406zpx7bgk.cloudfront.net…

Today we are proud to highlight the recipients of the 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, recognising exceptional achievement in hip fracture care through Ireland’s Best Practice Tariff (BPT). @stjamesdublin has been awarded the Golden Hip for the second year in a row, achieving 51% BPT compliance, the highest in the country. Their story shows what is possible when strong leadership, cohesive team dynamics and an open culture come together with a clear focus on improvement. Their CodeHip team emphasise: • A shared vision, clear roles and consistent clinical priorities. • A culture where staff can ask questions, test ideas and learn together. • Real-time data used as a driver for change. • Sustained and scalable improvements supported by effective use of BPT funds. • Digital innovation, including an integrated electronic hip fracture pathway enabling real-time visibility and MDT coordination. This award reflects a service where improvement is embedded, measurable and transferable across pathways. #IHFD2025 #HipFracture 🔗 Read their full story on Pages 30-31 in the Irish Hip Fracture Database National Report 2024: d7g406zpx7bgk.cloudfront.net… @GerMcMahon1

𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗔 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗛𝗶𝗽 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. 🔗 noca.ie/documents/ihfd-natio… The report presents data on on 4,294 patients admitted with hip fracture across 16 hospitals in Ireland. This year’s most notable gain is in timely admission from the emergency department: 36% of patients were admitted to a ward or theatre within four hours, a seven-point improvement on 2023. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: - 77% of patients received surgery within 48 hours. - 86% were reviewed by a geriatrician or advanced nurse practitioner. - 87% received a specialist falls assessment. - 90% underwent a bone-health assessment. - 84% received a pre-operative nerve block for pain management. - 85% were mobilised by a physiotherapist on the day of, or day after, surgery. - <1% had a documented surgical site infection. - Ten hospitals are now collecting follow-up data on 30-day mobility, quality of life and one-year mortality. Thank you to the clinical teams, Audit Coordinators and hospital staff who continue to prioritise high-quality audit and improvement work in hip fracture care. #IHFD2025 #HipFracture

Just a few days to go. Join us next Tuesday 25th November (10:30–12:30) for the launch of the Irish Hip Fracture Database National Report 2024. This national webinar will share the latest findings on hip fracture care in Ireland and celebrate excellence through the Golden Hip Award and Most Improved Hospital Award 2024. There’s still time to register: noca.ie/news-events/ihfd-nat… #HipFracture #IHFD2025

Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) data from NOCA’s Irish National Orthopaedic Register (INOR) has been highlighted in the newly released @OECD Health at a Glance 2025. The inclusion of INOR data reflects the value of capturing patient-reported outcomes and the contribution Ireland is making to international benchmarking in orthopaedic care. A sincere thank you to Carlo Lodola, Senior Data Analyst at NOCA and @ProfJanSorensen for preparing and submitting the data, and to all colleagues involved in this work across the country. 🔗 Read the full report here: oecd.org/en/publications/hea…

At today’s launch of the Irish National Audit of Stroke National Report 2024 and Organisational Audit 2025, we heard from three hospital teams leading the way in quality improvement: - @Beaumont_Dublin - @julie_lynch1 presented the FAST Button QI Project: streamlining stroke alerts to reduce response times. - Connolly Hospital - @LisaDonaghy1 shared their 10-week “FAST” Simulation Training: bridging the gap between theory and practice through regular stroke simulations. - Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda - @ClairePrenderg6 discussed Early Supported Discharge for Stroke: enhancing communication and continuity of care for stroke survivors. Each project demonstrates how local innovation, collaboration and digital transformation can drive better outcomes for patients. 🔗 Read the full INAS Report here: noca.ie/documents/irish-nati… #StrokeAudit2025 #ClinicalAudit #QualityImprovement

𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy at @Irishheart_ie presented at the webinar launch for the report this morning. He called for continued investment to fully implement the National Stroke Strategy and to deliver the staffing required for a network of stroke units. He noted "we still know little about what becomes of stroke patients after discharge, nor do we have enough evidence to know the most impactful combinations of clinical and non-clinical services and supports to meet the individual needs of stroke survivors." Chris stated we have to pursue a broader focus, including psychological impact, activity participation and quality of life at different time points after discharge from the acute hospital to ensure that a life saved is always a life worth living. #StrokeAudit2025 #ClinicalAudit #QualityImprovement

𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 - 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆'𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 In November 2017, national radio DJ Gerry Stevens suffered a life-altering brain haemorrhage caused by undiagnosed high blood pressure, leaving him unable to move the left side of his body or speak properly, an especially devastating blow for someone whose life revolved around communication. His recovery was long and challenging, involving months of rehabilitation, as well as emotional healing, during which he rebuilt his independence and confidence step by step. Determined to help others, Gerry launched The Strokecast podcast to raise awareness about stroke and inspire survivors, ultimately returning to the airwaves and continuing to be a voice for hope and resilience. Watch his story here: vimeo.com/noca/gerrysstoryin… #StrokeAudit2025 #ClinicalAudit #QualityImprovement @strokecastirl

𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 Professor Joe Harbison has officially launched the Irish National Audit of Stroke Summary Report 2024 and Organisational Audit Report 2025 this morning. The report provides a comprehensive overview of how stroke care is organised and delivered across Ireland. Since 2021, the number of annual stroke admissions has increased by 13%, while the number of stroke unit beds has risen by just 2%. All 24 hospitals that provide acute stroke care have a designated stroke unit, and in 2024, 73% of patients with a stroke were admitted to one, an increase from 70% in 2021 but below the national target of 90%. Key findings: • 92% of hospitals have a consultant physician with specialist stroke knowledge. • 96% of hospitals provide a 24/7 thrombolysis services, and 2 hospitals provide a national 24/7 endovascular thrombectomy service. • 22 hospitals receive an ambulance service pre-alert for all FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) calls, which is an increase from 17 hospitals in 2021. • Access to Early Supported Discharge (ESD) increased from 10 to 14 hospitals. You can access the report and associated documents here: noca.ie/documents/irish-nati… #StrokeAudit2025 #ClinicalAudit #QualityImprovement

Just over an hour to go - we start at 10:00am. Join NOCA for the Irish National Audit of Stroke National Report 2024 & Organisational Audit 2025 launch webinar. Hear key findings from Prof Joseph Harbison, a patient story “From Stroke to Strength” from Gerry Stevens, QI case studies from hospitals, and an update on the National Stroke Strategy from the National Clinical Programme for Stroke. Still time to register: noca.ie/news-events/inas-nat… #StrokeAudit2025 #ClinicalAudit #QualityImprovement @2013_Sylvius @Irishheart_ie @ClairePrenderg6 @LisaDonaghy1 @ronancollins7