WIT and AIIHPC are now working together to improve the palliative care experience of people with life-limiting conditions and their families
Waterford Institute of Technology and the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) are proud to announce their new joint partnership. The aim of this partnership is to help improve the quality of research, education, practice and policy for people with life-limiting conditions on the island of Ireland and internationally.
AIIHPC is a leading organisation with national and international influence driving excellence in palliative care. The organisation is a collaborative of 27 partners including universities, hospices, health and social care groups, the Department of Health, and Irish charities. SETU is the first institute of technology to join AIIHPC as a strategic partner in what is seen as an important step for palliative care in the South East region.
Access to leaders in palliative care research
Speaking of the many benefits of the new collaboration, Dr Mark White, Vice President of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies in WIT said, “This partnership will provide SETU with access to and membership of the multidisciplinary Palliative Care Research Network which is comprised of the very best leaders in palliative care research in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Research Network also supports members to develop clinically relevant evidence-based research, and leverage significant funding for research collaborations, capacity building and knowledge transfer and SETU are happy to be at the very heart of this activity.”
Palliative care education
AIIHPC will also engage with other SETU academic staff to meet the growing demand for accessible palliative care education through collaborative enterprise, building reusable learning content which supports competence development in the field. The partnership will also help strengthen relationships with the new South East Palliative Care Centre in University Hospital Waterford.
The importance of AIIHPC’s work
Dr Brian Creedon, National Clinical Lead for the Palliative Care Programme stresses the importance of the organisation’s work: “AIIHPC raises awareness and increases public understanding of the benefits of palliative care through many initiatives such as their annual Palliative Care Week campaign. They are also fundamental in informing and shaping palliative care policy, engaging with the Department of Health to deliver on the transformation agenda to meet increasing palliative care need.”
Karen Charnley, Director of AIIHPC discusses the impact of their work, “WIT, AIIHPC and its partners will explore strategic opportunities for broadening public engagement and community involvement, as part of driving forward a Public Health Approach to Palliative Care. This broader engagement will help to meet current and future palliative and end of life care needs for an ageing society, across all serious and progressive illnesses.”