St Finbarr’s Rehabilitation Unit in Cork has been recognised as an Age-Friendly Health System, highlighting the HSE South West team’s commitment to high-quality, person-centred care for older people.
The international designation, awarded by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), recognises the unit as “Committed to Care Excellence”. The achievement comes as St Finbarr’s Rehabilitation Unit celebrates 50 years of caring for older people in Cork and surrounding communities.
HSE South West advances age-friendly healthcare in Cork
The 70-bed inpatient rehabilitation service, based at St Finbarr’s Hospital Campus, secured recognition after embedding the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms framework across its everyday practice.
The work was led by Senior Occupational Therapist Maureen Johnson and Senior Physiotherapist Máire Fitzgerald, with support from the Age Friendly Health Systems South West programme. The programme is helping services adopt age-friendly approaches as HSE South West works towards becoming Ireland’s first Age-Friendly Health Region.
Staff introduced the framework through training, revised clinical documentation, service improvements and regular audits. Data collected over several months indicated that the 4Ms had become fully integrated into patient care.
What are the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms?
The 4Ms provide a practical approach to improving outcomes and experiences for older adults:
- What Matters: Care is aligned with each person’s health goals, preferences and priorities.
- Medication: Medicines are reviewed to reduce potential effects on a person’s priorities, mobility or cognitive wellbeing.
- Mind: Teams work to prevent, identify and manage dementia, depression and delirium.
- Mobility: Older people are supported to move safely every day and maintain their independence.
Person-centred rehabilitation for older adults
The framework ensures that rehabilitation is not limited to treating a medical condition. It also considers what each individual wants to achieve, whether that involves returning home, maintaining independence or taking part in meaningful daily activities.
Máire Fitzgerald said the recognition reflects the team’s shared commitment to evidence-based care that focuses on what matters most to every patient. Professor Emer Ahern, Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine and National Clinical Advisor for Older Persons, described the achievement as a testament to the dedication of the entire unit.
Applying the 4Ms can also support staff and multidisciplinary care teams by creating a consistent structure for assessment, communication and care planning.
What the recognition means for patients and families
For patients and families, the designation signals a service-wide focus on dignity, safety, independence and informed care. It also demonstrates how rehabilitation teams can translate an international framework into practical improvements within an Irish healthcare setting.
St Finbarr’s achievement adds to the wider work of the Health Service Executive to improve services for older people. Its 50th anniversary year provides an important backdrop to the recognition, celebrating five decades of rehabilitation care in Cork.
Key takeaway
The recognition of St Finbarr’s Rehabilitation Unit as an Age-Friendly Health System shows how the HSE South West is strengthening older persons’ care through the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mind and Mobility. For older adults and their families, the focus is clear—care should be safe, personalised and centred on the life each person wants to lead.
Article/Image Courtesy: HSE
