UL & UHL researchers empower patients to help advance cancer research

Monday, 26 May 2025 The establishment of Limerick’s first cancer ‘biobank’ is a significant milestone for cancer research that could help develop new treatments and better screening for the disease. The biobank – a facility to store and manage biological samples for research purposes – was established in 2022 by both cancer researchers and clinicians … Read more

NCHD Conference 2025

The HSE Midwest in NCHD Conference took place at University Hospital Limerick on May 15. The conference was opened by Ms Sandra Broderick REO. This was a major success with 224 diverse research projects admitted across all disciplines. Following a rigourous selection process 13 winning abstracts were chosen as the best to represent their specialties … Read more

New Diploma in Participatory Health Research

A new postgraduate diploma in Participatory Health Research is commencing Autumn 2025. The UL School of Medicine Participatory Health Research Unit is launching this new blended learning one-year part-time postgraduate diploma. Increasingly funding agencies require health researchers to have public and patient involvement (PPI) on their projects to secure funding. Researchers now need to demonstrate … Read more

International Clinical Trials Day 2025

International Clinical Trials Day was held on Tuesday, 20 May and was marked in our region with a stand at UHL. This was well supported and you can listen here to Maureen O’Grady manager for Cancer Clinical Trials emphasising how important clinical trials are in the evaluation of new interventions particularly in oncology.https://youtu.be/kLglDkFwoy4

Launch of 2024 HRI annual Report

The Health Research Institute launched its 2024 annual report on 8/5/2025. The launch was led by Interim HRI Director, Professor Audrey Tierney, and was formally launched by Professor Deirdre McGrath, Dean of EHS, UL. The event was contributed to by a number of HSE senior staff: Sandra Broderick, Dr Catherine Peters, and Professor Declan Lyons. … Read more

Funding Opportunity for Young Researchers Intersted in Critical Care

The Irish Critical Care Clinical Trials Network, ICC-CTN, has launched their annual call for the Early Career Researcher Seed funding Awards, ECR-SFA. Launched in 2023, the ICC-CTN opens an annual call for this awards scheme which is currently planned for 4 years. After two successful years, this has been extended to include Medical students who are currently or … Read more

Official Opening of Research Directorate

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster opened the first of the HSE’s new regional Research Directorates, at St Camillus’ Hospital Limerick on 23 March 2025, hailing the initiative as a key HSE commitment to advancing the delivery of modern healthcare. “The best medical care in the world” he said, “is built upon the latest scientific knowledge, and … Read more

New National Ethical Guidance Issued

HSE National Policy for Consent in Health and Social Care Research (Version 2.0) The HSE National Research and Development | Office of the Chief Clinical Officer announced (January 2025) the publication of Version 2.0 of the HSE National Policy for Consent in Health and Social Care Research addressing the age of consent for young people, aged 16-17 years old. … Read more

Dr Aoife Leahy & colleagues hit the front page of the Lancet with the SOLAR study

Frailty screening with comprehensive geriatrician-led multidisciplinary assessment for older adults during emergency hospital attendance in Ireland (SOLAR): a randomised controlled trial Geriatrician-led multidisciplinary assessment of older adults living with frailty was associated with reduced time spent in the emergency department setting at index visit and lower rates of nursing home admission, greater increases in quality of … Read more