Mission Matters Issue 3 Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 32
Powering the Mission:
Infrastructure for Compassionate Care
This issue, Mission Matters meets Head of Estates &
Facilities Declan Tynan and gets a glimpse as to how
the wheels really move behind the scenes in the hospital
Q&A
How does the Estates team help
bring that mission of the Mater to
life every single day behind the
scenes?
The Estates & Facilities Department
brings the Mater's mission to life by
ensuring the physical environment
consistently supports compassionate,
reliable and high quality healthcare
delivery every day. This is achieved for
our patients and staff by ensuring the
MMUH, as one of the country’s largest
healthcare facilities, is compliant with all
applicable legislation, standards &
statutory obligations from both design
and maintenance perspectives.
Estates touches almost every corner of hospital life. What are
some of the unseen ways your team supports patients, families
and staff?
Most of our contributions happen quietly behind the scenes, however they
have a direct impact on patients, families and staff every day. From
maintaining comfortable temperatures and reliable lighting to ensuring
that lifts, alarms systems and critical essential systems are always
operational. We also play a key role in infection control by maintaining
ventilation and water quality. The Estates and Facilities Department also
provides 24/7 rapid response maintenance processes to ensure clinical
staff can continue to provide lifesaving care. In addition to day-to-day
operations, the Estates and Facilities Team also support the future growth
and development of the hospital through the delivery of Capital Projects
and the Hospitals expansions programmes. From planning, designing and
delivering new clinical spaces to refurbishing and modernising existing
spaces we ensure that the Hospital can continue to meet the growing
healthcare needs of the country and adapt to advances in patient care.
What would surprise readers most about the contribution the
Estates team makes to the overall patient experience?
Many aspects of the patient experience are shaped by the work of the
Estates & Facilities Department behind the scenes. From maintaining
critical infrastructure, including lighting, electrical infrastructure,
plumbing, ventilation/air conditioning, water quality, medical gases and
ensuring they operate reliably, the Department plays an essential role in
supporting patient care every day. We also support the Hospital's future
through sustainability initiatives and capital projects that keeps facilities
modern and fit for purpose.
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