Working Life: I have an e-bike which makes hills less daunting

Dara Byrne, national clinical lead for simulation at the HSE, professor of simulation University of Galway

Professor Dara Byrne, newly-appointed National Clinical Lead for Simulation, HSE

5.30am

I split my time between Galway, where I live, and Dublin, where I travel to work.

If I’m at home in Oranmore, the day gets underway at this time, but it starts an hour earlier if I am getting the train to Dublin. 

I was appointed National Simulation lead in September 2023 and I am currently setting up the National Simulation Office.

When I’m not in Dublin, my morning is spent feeding our animals (dog Bobo, two cats, Walter and Cormie, and a number of horses).

I try to get in some exercise, usually a 30-minute session with Joe Wicks on YouTube and 20 minutes on the Wattbike or Erg.

On Saturdays, I do the local 5km Parkrun in Oranmore with the children and the dog.

7.30am

I am fussy about my coffee. If the weather is fine, I cycle to one of my favourite local coffee shops. 

I have an e-bike which makes hills less daunting.

9am

Emails or meetings, either face-to-face or online. On Mondays, we always have a team meeting to plan the activities for the week and update on planned simulation events, such as a conference or speaking event, or a networking visit.

Simulation is a technique that creates a situation or environment to allow people to experience a representation of a real event for the purpose of practice, learning, evaluation, testing, or to gain understanding.

11am

I lead a simulation activity such as a train-the-trainer workshop for groups of healthcare providers, or a large translational simulation for a multi-professional team, where we are trying to improve team performance for patient safety.

1pm

Lunch, made the night before, and usually eaten in my office.

3pm

The afternoon is usually travelling to meetings with stakeholder groups to plan collaborative simulation educational and research projects.

7pm

I often work late and have dinner at 8pm. Most evenings involve taxiing the children to their activities. On Wednesdays, I go to the badminton class and have some fun.

Up until 11pm, I go through my to-do list, which I compile during the day using MS Planner. 

I am a night owl and am rarely in bed before 1am.

• The new HSE National Simulation Office serves as a hub, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals, academics, healthcare institutions, and simulation centres. 
• See: exa.mn/HSE-simulation-office