My Career: ‘A big part of my job is listening... and understanding what GPs and patients need’

Name: Avril Coleman

Age: 45

Lives:

Married to Kevin and mum to two girls, aged 13 and 11. I live in the countryside outside Ballyclough, near Mallow.

Grew up in Ballincollig and spent 10 years living in Mallow.

Job title:

GP Liaison, Mater Private Network Cork

Salary bracket:

I’m paid well - but there’s always room for more!

Education and career background:

I studied food science and business, completing a BSc Food Business followed by a Masters in Food Marketing.

I started my career with IAWS Cuisine De France before moving into pharmaceutical medical sales, which brought me into daily contact with GPs across Munster.

I’ve been calling to GP practices since 2006, so by the time I joined the Mater Private Network Cork in 2019, I already understood the pressures GPs are under and how important good communication and trust are.

That experience really shaped the role I’m in today.

What does your role involve?

I work very closely with GPs across Munster, visiting practices most days and acting as a direct link between primary care and the Mater Private Network Cork.

A big part of my job is listening — understanding what GPs and their patients need, where pathways can be improved, and how access to services can be made clearer and more streamlined.

I also co-ordinate educational and professional development events where GPs meet directly with consultants and surgeons to discuss emerging trends, evolving challenges, and new developments and innovations in patient care.

Describe your job in five words:

Varied, social, cross-functional, engaging, problem-solving.

What makes the role interesting?

Around 70,000 patients attended Mater Private Cork last year for tests, treatments, and procedures.

My role sits right at the point where patients, GPs, and hospital services connect.

One day, I might be helping a GP to secure urgent cardiology or ophthalmology input, the next I’m talking to them about a new consultant or service that Mater Private Network Cork has introduced.

Being embedded in the region means I have a good understanding of where unmet needs exist in Munster, and I see first-hand where demand is growing — areas such as neurology, dermatology, and rheumatology, for example.

I’m passionate about improving access to services so that doctors can refer with confidence and patients can be seen in a timely way.

Although much of the role involves working independently across the region, the support of a strong immediate team and the wider Mater Private Network of hospitals across Ireland is central to how I work day-to-day.

Being out on the road means relying on trusted internal relationships - knowing who to call and being able to connect quickly with colleagues not only helps me do my job effectively, but also creates a real sense of camaraderie, connection, and teamwork.

Describe yourself in five words:

Honest, realistic, motivated, reliable, and decisive.

Personality needed for this kind of work?

You need to be organised, approachable, and trustworthy. GPs rely on you, and there’s a huge responsibility that comes with being part of the patient’s healthcare journey, even indirectly.

Being perceptive and genuinely interested in helping others is essential.

Describe a typical working day:

Most mornings are spent visiting GP practices across the Munster region, having practical conversations about referrals, available services, and how patients can be seen quickly.

In the afternoons, I’m usually back at my desk following up on queries, organising educational events, or linking GPs directly with consultants or departments.

Healthcare has changed hugely — patients are more informed, and expectations are higher. My role is to help GPs navigate that reality by making it easier for patients to access the right care, at the right time.

How many hours do you work?

It’s a full-time role, with flexibility needed for evening or weekend events like GP study days or clinical conferences. Healthcare doesn’t always fit neatly into office hours.

Is the job stressful?

It depends on the time of year. From September to May, there’s a heavy focus on education and events alongside the day job. I’d probably rate it a 7 out of 10 at busy times — but it’s a good kind of busy.

Best bits:

Helping people. Even though I’m not patient-facing, I know that when a referral pathway works well, or an issue is resolved quickly, it can make a real difference to someone’s care and peace of mind.

Worst bits:

Administration — like most jobs!

What advice would you give someone who wants to do your job?

Work on your people skills. Be resilient, determined and genuinely interested in others. Relationships are everything in this role.

Any final thoughts?

I really enjoy the variety of the role and the relationships I’ve built over time. There’s a strong sense of collaboration between GPs, consultants and hospital teams, all focused on delivering the best possible care for patients across Munster.