New funding will support world class Palliative Care research across Ireland

Health Agencies on the island of Ireland have announced a joint cross-border three year investment in palliative care research to grow clinical knowledge and improve patient experience.

The investment of €210,000 / £180,000 has been made to the Palliative Care Research Network (PCRN) which works to strategise and co-ordinate the commissioning and learning from palliative care research in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The funding provided by the Health Research Board (RoI) and HSC Research and Development Division, Public Health Agency (NI) will support the recruitment of additional staff to manage research in the sector and to maximise knowledge transfer of findings into policy and practice.

The 2017-2019 funding follows a five-year investment of €1.25m / £1.07m in the PCRN from 2012-2016 by the Health Research Board. The PCRN is housed within, and managed by, the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC).

Recruitment will include two new half-time Project Manager roles, one in research management and the second in knowledge transfer and exchange.

Since its launch in 2012, the PCRN has made significant advancements in terms of clinical innovation, patient / public involvement and the dissemination of research findings to improve policy and practice. The Network has also built an island-wide palliative care research community who work with an overarching strategy and culture of collaboration.

The PCRN has recently established a Strategic Scientific Committee representative of academics, practitioners, service users and carers as well as funders to plan for palliative care research from 2017-2022 and to ensure that this work engages with parallel research in other areas including primary care and chronic diseases.

Committee Chairperson Professor Sonja McIlfatrick (Ulster University) said: “This award marks a significant milestone in terms of recognising the impact of the Palliative Care Research Network, for the research it is delivering and the experts it involves. It gives us a strong footing on which to ensure world-class palliative care research across this island and internationally.”

AIIHPC Head of Institute Karen Charnley said: “We welcome both health agencies continued endorsement of the PCRN and view it as an exciting opportunity to build upon what has been achieved to date and also to support strategic integration with other health and social care research networks.”

AIIHPC is also advertising a third research post to fill its Programme Manager position. In particular, the post-holder will lead on the Institute’s research work programme and on supporting the continued strategic development of the PCRN.

The closing date for all three posts is the 3rd March 2017.

Further Information
Ronan Cavanagh, Cavanagh Communications 00353 (0) 86 317 9731.

The Palliative Care Research Network
The Palliative Care Research Network (or PCRN), was formed in 2012. It is an all-island entity bringing the best minds in the area of palliative care research to work together. It is housed within the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC).

The PCRN builds on the work being done by palliative care researchers across the island of Ireland, bringing people together in a coherent network, encouraging the sharing of knowledge and collaboration across a broad range of areas.