What Listening Makes Possible: Five Years of Care Opinion in Northern Ireland

On a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, colleagues from across the health and care system gathered in Belfast to celebrate a powerful milestone: five years of Care Opinion in Northern Ireland.

In that time, more than 29 thousand people have shared open, honest stories about their experiences, in their own words and on their own terms. Across all Trusts, staff have responded with empathy and acted on that feedback to improve care.

This event was more than a celebration of progress, it was a recognition of the courage to listen, the commitment to learn, and a shared ambition to build a more compassionate, person-centred health and care system.

A Shared Commitment to Listening

The afternoon brought together a wide range of powerful voices, reflections, and examples of change. We were honoured to be joined by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Chief Nursing Officer Maria McIlgorm, who both spoke about the value of listening, building trust, and creating systems that are open, responsive, and human.

We heard from Prue Thimbleby on storytelling in Wales, and from Trust colleagues including Dr Seamus O’Brien, Louisa Lapworth, Linda Gibson, Mairead Casey, Michelle Scott, and Maggie Hamilton, who shared how they are using Care Opinion to embed listening into everyday practice. Their reflections were honest, practical, and hopeful, showing what’s possible when feedback is taken seriously and acted upon.

For me, one of the most meaningful parts of the day was hearing directly from those delivering and shaping care in each Trust. Their stories showed how Care Opinion is being used to recognise staff, improve communication, respond to concerns, and strengthen relationships with patients, families, and teams.

It takes real courage to listen — especially in times of pressure and change. The openness, humility, and commitment on display across all the Trusts speaks volumes about the kind of system we’re building together.

With Thanks

My sincere thanks go to Heather Reid, Linda Craig, and all colleagues at the Public Health Agency for their ongoing leadership and support of this work. Special thanks also to Martin Quinn, who closed the event with thoughtful reflections and a clear call to keep this momentum going.

Finally, I want to acknowledge my Care Opinion colleagues — Sarah and Liz — who have led our work in Northern Ireland with incredible dedication and care. While they couldn’t be in the room on the day, their work has been foundational to everything we celebrated.

As we look ahead, we do so with renewed commitment — to hear every voice, learn from every story, and continue building care that is safer, fairer, and more human for everyone.