Working Life: Sharon Foley, CEO, Irish HospiceFoundation (IHF)

A day in the working life of Sharon Foley, CEO, Irish HospiceFoundation (IHF)

7am

I awake to the sound of Alexa turning on Morning Ireland. I have a keen interest on how talks on forming a new government are going, as we work closely with theDepartment of Health and political representatives on issues like Advance Healthcare Directives, Nurses for Night Care etc.

7.50am

I leave for the Dart with my daughter and get off at Lansdowne Station so I can get a 20-minute walk in.

8.40am

At work, I check emails/messages. Coffee and ‘good mornings’ are essential. Today I’m meeting the new chair of the IHF board, Jean Callanan, on strategy and branding. We’re completing a newstrategy for the IHF which charts ourdirection for the next five years.

11am

I meet with HSE colleagues about our Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme, active in 48 hospitals. More than 40% of the population dies in Acute Hospitals, so it’s critical that each person gets quality care at end of life in this setting.

Lunchtime

At my desk. I find it easier to keep working and get out on time.2pm

Phone chat with the chair of the Midland’s ‘Hooves 4 Hospice’ Campaign PatLawlor about how we can further support the campaign to raise funds to build a Level 3 Hospice in the region. The project involves recruiting farmers willing to rear a young animal which is then sold on at12-18 months-old, with proceeds going towards the hospice fund.

2.30pm

Meeting with our head of healthcareprogrammes to discuss partnerships in 2020. We’re embarking on newprogrammes of work with the Irish College of General Practitioners and Hiqa.

3.30pm

More focus on our Nurses for Night Care service which allows people with non-cancer related illnesses spend their final days at home. We spend over €750,000 every year on this service and costs are rising. The service is in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society.

5pm

Usually, I meet with our head of fund-raising every day. We get less than 10% state funding so we need to runconstant fundraising programmes.

6pm

I don the runners and head off to finish my #100days of walking. Home to three kids which isalways fun and helps me switch off.