Manager praises hospital staff and her family as she retires

“No organisation could match the commitment, dedication, and willingness to go beyond the call of duty like the staff here in Mullingar hospital do every day.”

That’s according to Kay Slevin, who has retired from her position as hospital manager after 41 years of service in the HSE.

Speaking at a function in the hospital to mark her retirement, which was attended by colleagues past and present, Ms Slevin said that her career in the HSE has been “so rewarding, working with staff who show their true commitment by doing their best every day”.

She also thanked her husband Mossie and sons Conor and Brian for their support during her time in the demanding role of hospital manager.

“Over the last three and a half years, without the support and understanding of my family, I could not have given the commitment to my role as hospital manager that I needed to give.”

Ms Slevin said that during her tenure, the hospital has been “fortunate in terms of securing funding for capital project developments in recent years, and that is thanks to the commitment of our Estates team in recognising the needs of the hospital”.

Those developments include the hospital’s new MRI service, which opened on a phased basis in August, and the new Outpatients Building, due to open in the coming weeks.

Work is also set to commence shortly on the replacement of the hospital’s almost 600 windows, and funding has also been approved for the refurbishment of the catering department and a new acute floor.

Ms Slevin paid tribute to the Friends of the Regional Hospital Mullingar “for their support and commitment to fundraising for the MRI machine, as it a service is much needed for Mullingar hospital and our patients”. She also thanked Minister Peter Burke and Deputy Robert Troy for their support and assistance.

Ms Slevin joined the HSE in December 1983 and was first based in Mullingar, later moving to Central HR in Tullamore, and then to the Dublin Midlands Group. She was appointed hospital manager in 2021, at the height of the pandemic.

Despite the challenges posed by the worst public health crisis in a century and the cyber-attack on the HSE systems, which also occurred in Kay’s first months in her new role, she says she was thrilled to return.

“The first time I left Mullingar, I didn’t really want to leave the hospital – however, I made it back, and that was the icing on the cake for me, as Mullingar hospital was always a special place to work – instilled in me by my parents many years ago.”

The last three and a half years were among the most eventful in the history of the hospital, but every member of staff met each challenge head-on.

“In my view, no organisation could match the commitment, dedication, and willingness to go beyond the call of duty like the staff here in Mullingar do every day. Staff did this through the challenges of Covid, the cyber-attack, and many other challenges staff at every level face on a day-to-day basis.

“Throughout my career, and particularly as hospital manager, I can honestly say that no matter what was asked of staff, often with limited resources, we pulled together and got it done.

“I would like to thank every staff member, at every level here in Mullingar, the department managers whom I have had such great support from, each having a passion to continue to provide the best quality service, putting their case forward for their service despite the current staff replacement challenges, and balancing that with finances.

“Thank you for driving your services forward for our patients, and thank you all for your amazing support and commitment. Keep doing what you are doing, keeping our patients at the forefront.

“I will truly miss you all. Take care and keep up the great work.”

Among those to pay tribute to Ms Slevin at the function were clinical director Professor Desmond Toomey, Professor Murat Kirca, and Reverend

Alastair Graham.