RSS FeedsHealth Research Centres (HRCs) are virtual hubs for research across a number of disciplines and institutions, driven by a common health priority and a commitment to improve healthcare. The aim is to ensure that: -
- the research is driven by identified needs within the health system nationally
- the research findings around a common priority area are shared and any duplication of effort is avoided
- the outcomes of research are relevant and applied to the health system
- the research will be translated into care or lead to a change in practice
Two awards were made in 2007, the first of their kind in Ireland. They will receive between them €10 million funding over five years in a bid to make substantial progress in their respective areas.
The HRB centre for Primary Care Research will have its virtual base in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The research team lead by Professor Tom Fahey will undertake a programme of work that examines the quality of care provided to vulnerable patient groups - the elderly, children, pregnant women and drug users. Through the research programmes the team hopes to: -
- identify quality standards for safer prescribing of medicines for Irish patients
- improve diagnosis in primary care so that patients receive appropriate and timely treatment or referrals if required
- develop new Information and Communications Technologies that will improve patient care and promote self-management among patients with chronic illness.
