The All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) has launched a €1.25 million Structured Research Network for palliative care research.
The network brings together experienced researchers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from a broad range of disciplines, academic institutions and service sites, to work together on research and capacity-building initiatives, improving the quality of care for patients across the island.
Within the network, there are two complementary research strands, each incorporating a number of projects.
The social justice strand is led by Professor Phil Larkin, Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing (Palliative Care), University College Dublin, and focuses on the current inequalities that exist in relation to access to palliative and hospice care in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Projects will examine inequalities in palliative care delivery for specific vulnerable groups, including those with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and life-limiting conditions.
The measurement and evaluation strand is led by Professor Charles Normand, Edward Kennedy Professor of Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, and focuses on measuring the needs, impact and evaluation of palliative care services. This strand will also examine ways to share findings and knowledge arising from the Network itself and how best these can translate into practice.
Commenting on the launch of the Structured Research Network, Dr Sonja McIlfatrick, Head of Research AIIHPC, said, “We are delighted to launch our Structured Research Network. The fact that experienced researchers from a range of backgrounds can come together to share their knowledge and experience and work more collaboratively on research projects is a new development and a real step forward. By working together we have an opportunity to produce robust, evidence-based research which will have direct impact on patient care.”
AIIHPC’s vision is that the network will continue to grow, developing links with more researchers, clinicians and non-researchers, as well as other international research collaboratives.