ON THE COUCH:Vanessa Hamilton is a physiotherapist and a healthcare consultant with PA Consulting
Family/personal:
Originally from Sligo, I lived in Crete and Australia for a while and am now based in Dublin.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Mary Robinson for all her human rights work both in Ireland and abroad.
What do you regard as the top three problems facing Ireland’s health system?
First, delivering the migration from hospital to community-based service delivery.
Second, identifying the leaders to reform the health system, while realising that not all clinicians are leaders.
And third, formalising the clinical governance structures and controls across the entire health system.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My car, a MX5 Mazda.
What is your most unhealthy habit?
Not taking enough exercise.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
My family and friends of course. Also, Brendan Kennelly and Pat Shortt to keep us laughing and U2 for a bit of background music.
And finally, Brad Pitt and George Clooney just to make up the numbers.
How do you relax?
Travelling, reading, going out with friends and training for sprint triathlons.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A sunny day in Sligo and having nothing else to do but read a good book.
What trait do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty.
What talent would you most like to have?
To have the voice of Maria Callas.
Do you use alternative/complementary medicines or therapies?
Yes. I have used reiki and traditional Chinese medicine in the past.
What is your earliest memory?
Sitting on the kitchen floor in my parents’ house playing with our dog Lulu.
What is your most treasured possession?
My health.
What other career might you have chosen?
Solicitor or historian.
What books or films do you believe have inspired you?
I found Lance Armstrong’s book It’s Not About The Bike very inspirational.
In conversation with Fiona Tyrrell