UHL Inaugural Research Symposium brings together experts involved in healthcare research

The Inaugural Research Symposium organised by University Hospital Limerick (UHL) recently took place at the Strand Hotel, Limerick. The 1-day conference covered topics from healthcare reform to surgical innovations.

Conference organiser, Professor Austin Stack, Foundation Chair of Medicine, University Hospital Limerick, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick said; “the response and enthusiasm for this inaugural research symposium was unprecedented with over 200 submitted abstracts, 176 posters, and 18 oral presentations and expert talks from 5 national and international speakers. Our first symposium here at UHL is a landmark event, bringing together research talent from across the hospital and University campus, supporting innovative science, and providing a forum for interaction and communication.”

Prof. Austin Stack, Foundation Chair of Medicine, University Hospital Limerick, Dr Aine Carroll, National Director of Clinical Strategy and Programmes, Health Services Directorate and Prof. Niall O'Higgins, Chairman of UL Hospitals Trust.

“It was a great opportunity to profile the breadth and depth of research activity in clinical departments, sub-specialties, primary care and allied health disciplines,” said Prof Stack and “this forum should serve as a catalyst for research collaboration in the Midwest Region”

The symposium attracted over 250 attendees from research, healthcare and industry sectors. The speakers included Dr Áine Carroll, National Director of Clinical Strategy and Programmes, Health Services Directorate, Professor Niall O’Higgins, Chairman, UL Hospitals Trust, Professor Peter Blake, Professor of Medicine, University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre, Professor Alison Perry, Chair of Clinical Therapies, UL, and Dr Teresa Maguire, Head Population Health of the Health Research Board (HRB).

The welcome address was given by Professor Niall O Higgins, Chairman of UL Hospitals Trust. Commenting on UHL’s symposium, he said, “The UL hospitals have been aligned successfully into a coherent entity. Now affiliated to the University of Limerick the hospitals are developing rapidly as academic centres. With such progress comes the obligation to participate in research. Research effort is of huge importance in improving the care of patients. The success of the Inaugural Annual Research Symposium of the University Hospital Limerick demonstrates that collaboration between the hospital and the university is strong. A high degree of research expertise is in place. It is hoped that the Annual Research Symposium will provide clear proof that standards of research and education continue to rise and will bring with them improvements in patient care. With continued co-operation the UL Hospitals are well-placed to become among the best academic medical centres in the country.”

Key invited speaker Professor Peter Blake, Professor of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre in Canada highlighted the challenges and opportunities in building research programmes, and chronicled the success of epidemiological, and health outcomes research at his Institution. National Director of Clinical Strategy and Programmes, Dr Áine Carroll focused on the changing face of the HSE and current developments that are focused on quality improvement and patient-centred care. The leadership role of the Health Research Board (HRB) in supporting health research in Ireland and emerging funding opportunities was discussed by Dr Teresa Maguire, Head of Population Health Research.

Professor Pierce Grace, Chief Clinical Director, UHL said; “This is a fantastic day for UL Hospitals. We aim to be one of the top three university hospitals in Ireland by 2018 and strategically we see excellence in research as one of the ways that we will achieve that goal. This symposium has brought together the UL Hospitals community around research and it is staggering to see the number and quality of projects presented here today. With our academic partner, UL we will promote research across our directorates and this symposium will become an important annual event in our calendar".

Professor Michael Larvin, Head of UL’s Graduate Entry Medical School said: “The recent inaugural joint Research Symposium marks a closening of the relationship between UL and our HSE partners, in line with the recommendations of the government’s Higgins Report launched earlier this year. The symposium has, for the first time in Limerick, brought together academics and clinical staff, junior and senior, across the entire range of disciplines involved in healthcare research. The Medical School is proud of Professor Stack’s initiative in bringing this about, and we look forward to supporting the symposium as an annual event in future. UL is delighted to have been selected as academic partner to the new hospital group for our region. Together we are committed to achieving the highest standards of safe healthcare for patients, and high-quality collaborative research is essential to ensure this.”

Awards were presented to the best oral and poster presentations from three major categories: Technology and health, Lifestyle and health and Population health Research.