As 2022 draws to an end, it is an opportunity not only to panic about all the things you still have not done for the festive season, but also to reflect on all that has happened in the past year!
It was definitely an end of an era for JACIE to say goodbye to Eoin McGrath whose leadership has set the foundations of JACIE as we know it today. Understandably, I am still known by most people as ‘the new Eoin’, but it has been lovely to meet JACIE people across Europe in the course of the year and to have the opportunity to join some of the National Meetings to talk about our plans for the coming year. I am very much looking forward to continuing these discussions in the coming months.
However, JACIE is not about the Office in Barcelona, but about the hundreds of volunteers, our inspectors who commit their time and expertise. They do not just carry out inspections, but they also spend hours weekly or monthly in reviewing the reports (Accreditation Committee); developing and delivering training to new and existing inspectors (Inspector Committee); pull together the Quality Management Day at the EBMT Annual Meeting (Quality Management Committee) and importantly – develop the strategy and policy for the JACIE to continue improving and meeting any challenges head on. JACIE is nothing, but a team effort. So, a huge thank you to all of you individually and collectively.
Heading into 2023 feels both a bit daunting, but also hugely exciting! We have already launched our new inspector training format and will be running number of training courses in the new year. We are also looking at incentives for both the Transplant Centres and the Inspectors not only to continue to add to our numbers, but also to ensure that all of our inspectors feel appreciated and the Centres our inspectors work in, can see the value they bring back to their services.
Other projects we will continue to work on are: ISO16507 Accreditation for JACIE process; the development of an end-to-end accreditation platform and we will also begin the review process for the 9th Edition of FACT-JACIE Standards. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved and we look forward to working with you and hearing your ideas.
So, from all of us at the JACIE Office, wishing you and your families happy holidays, and a happy, healthy New Year 2023!
Tuula Rintala
Director, Advocacy and Quality of Care