Healthcare Systems Group
For professionals working in non-clinical healthcare safety, fire safety, facilities, estates, emergency planning and systems improvement.
About the Healthcare Systems Group
The IIESMS Healthcare Systems Group supports professionals working in non-clinical safety, facilities, estates, fire safety, emergency planning and systems improvement in healthcare environments.
The group is relevant to practitioners working with hospitals, nursing homes, residential care settings, healthcare estates and support services. Its focus is professional development, competence, CPD and the sharing of practical knowledge across healthcare-related systems and safety roles.
Professional Context
Healthcare environments often involve overlapping responsibilities across fire safety, facilities management, safety and health, emergency planning and systems improvement.
Members should be familiar with the legal, regulatory, employer and professional requirements that apply to their own role and workplace. IIESMS sector activity supports professional development and knowledge sharing, but it does not replace statutory duties, employer responsibilities or specialist legal advice.
Key Focus Areas
The Healthcare Systems Group focuses on non-clinical safety, facilities, fire safety, emergency planning and systems improvement in healthcare environments.
Healthcare Fire Safety
Fire safety management, evacuation planning and fire risk awareness in hospitals, nursing homes, residential care and other healthcare environments.
Emergency and Evacuation Planning
Planning for emergency response, evacuation support, continuity and coordination in healthcare settings.
Healthcare Facilities and Estates
Facilities, estates, maintenance, building services and operational support in healthcare environments.
Safety Management Systems
Non-clinical safety management, risk controls, procedures, audits and continuous improvement.
Resident and Patient Environment Safety
Professional development focused on safer healthcare environments, support services and non-clinical risk management.
Healthcare Systems Improvement
Using systems thinking, process improvement and professional learning to support safer and more reliable healthcare operations.
Sector Committee and Governance
The Healthcare Systems Group is chaired by Cathal Sweetman, Director of Compliance at Hamilton Park Care Facility. Cathal brings experience in healthcare governance, regulatory compliance, operational management, risk assessment, internal audits, digital transformation and safety-related infrastructure projects in care settings.
The Healthcare Systems Group operates as an advisory body to the IIESMS National Council under Terms of Reference v1.0 and reports to Council through the Business Development Officer and Education and Membership Officer liaison. Voting membership is drawn from across the IIESMS grades with a working target of up to 16 members and a quorum of three. The group meets at least quarterly and produces standard annual outputs including the Annual Work Plan (G-AWP), Council Report (G-RPT) and Expression of Interest form (G-EOI). Decision authority on matters affecting the Institute rests with the National Council; the group's role is to inform, shape and execute the work plan it has been delegated.
Professional Development
Members can use the Healthcare Systems Group to build professional knowledge, identify relevant CPD, participate in sector discussions and connect with other members working in healthcare environments.
Relevant CPD may include healthcare fire safety, emergency planning, facilities and estates management, safety management systems, audit practice, compliance updates and systems improvement.
How to Get Involved
Join the Healthcare Group in four steps.
Join IIESMS
Apply for the membership grade that matches your completed qualifications and evidenced experience. Use Find Your Grade if you are unsure.
Select Your Sector
Indicate your interest in the Healthcare Group during the application process or contact the Institute to be added to this sector group.
Attend Events
Participate in sector-specific events, webinars, and networking sessions organised by the Healthcare Group throughout the year.
Contribute
Express interest in committee work, present at events, mentor early-career members, or contribute to policy submissions where relevant. Your expertise helps support professional standards across Ireland.
Explore Other Sector Groups
IIESMS members can engage with multiple sector groups. Discover related disciplines and expand your professional network.
Fire Safety Group
Fire risk assessment, fire detection and alarm systems, passive fire protection, emergency response planning, and fire safety management.
Safety & Health Group
Occupational health and safety, risk assessment, safety management systems, workplace safety legislation, and compliance.
Industrial Engineering Group
Lean manufacturing, process improvement, operations management, supply chain optimisation, quality, and operational excellence.
Facilities Management Group
Building services, maintenance engineering, energy management, space planning, asset management, and facility operations.
Get involved
Join IIESMS and select the Healthcare Systems Group. Core membership grades apply, and relevant certified discipline grades may also apply where your evidence fits fire safety, facilities management, safety and health, or industrial/systems improvement criteria.
Related Pages and Articles
Useful next steps connected to this page.
Membership Grades
Healthcare members use the core grade pathway, with certified routes where evidence fits another discipline.
CPD Requirements
Plan CPD around healthcare safety, facilities, estates, emergency planning and systems improvement.
Healthcare Group Chair
Read the announcement confirming Cathal Sweetman as chair of the group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the IIESMS Healthcare Systems Group
The group is focused on non-clinical healthcare systems, safety, fire safety, facilities, estates, emergency planning and related professional support functions.
Yes, where the topic relates to non-clinical safety, fire safety, facilities, emergency planning, resident environment safety or systems improvement.
Yes. Healthcare fire safety is a relevant cross-sector topic for members working in hospitals, nursing homes, residential care and other healthcare environments.
Relevant CPD may include healthcare fire safety, evacuation planning, facilities management, emergency preparedness, safety management systems, audit practice, compliance updates and systems improvement.
No. The group supports professional development and member engagement. It does not replace statutory regulators, employers or legal duties.
Yes. Facilities and estates management are important parts of safe healthcare environments.
Join IIESMS, select the Healthcare Systems Group, and follow group updates, CPD opportunities and committee activity. Members can also contact the Institute to express interest in contributing.
Use the Find Your Grade and Membership Grades pages to compare the current requirements before applying.