10 College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland | Annual Report 2020
CEO’s report Mr Martin McCormack Chief Executive Officer
CEO’S REPORT
When CAI Council approved the College strategic plan 2019–2024, we hoped that it would be an enduring guide. It has proven thus, in the face of unprecedented crisis and societal change. As challenges abounded this year, our mission to “promote excellence in patient care and safety in the fields of anaesthesiology, perioperative medicine, intensive care & pain medicine”, is more important than ever. Our strong foundations, great people and the collaborative trusting partnerships with others that we continue to nurture and value contributed to our success in 2020.
STRONG FOUNDATIONS The COVID pandemic has demonstrated the value of our strategy, to change the way we work and the digital transformation to support those changes. When news of COVID-19 first reached Ireland in January 2020, our College community responded immediately. We first looked at how we could best support our trainees, exam candidates and Fellows in Ireland and overseas who were experiencing the earliest effects of the virus. Then, as the virus spread across the world and reached Ireland, we turned our attention to what we could do to keep our trainees, staff and Fellows as safe as possible. The College never closed. Our Council members understood the importance of building on our digital capabilities to determine our ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Council approved the rapid acceleration of our digital transformation programme and asked us to prioritise the progression pathway for our Trainees. This leadership has helped speed the adoption of digitisation initiatives, among both employees and our Tutors, Examiners, Trainees & Fellows. Very quickly we moved our teaching, examinations and learning online and our staff adjusted to working remotely from home. In line with our core values, we found new, innovative ways of delivering all our important work digitally. Our entire College community have shown tremendous dedication and flexibility this year – and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.
