The aim of the programme is to support research projects to generate evidence that will strengthen policy development or evaluate how policy is currently implemented. It will advance Ireland’s capacity to respond quickly to priority research questions for policymakers and foster collaboration among the teams of researchers and individual policy units within the DOH.  

According to Dr Mairéad O’Driscoll, Chief Executive at the Health Research Board  

“These awards focus specifically on policy priorities that have been determined by the Department of Health. They will generate timely, high-quality evidence for policymakers that will enhance decision-making in health and social care to create better outcomes for people and society.” 

According to Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D.  

“The Evidence for Policy programme is a significant step in developing new approaches to bringing health researchers and policymakers together to address important topics in health.  

“The programme, funded by the Department of Health through the Health Research Board, will help develop research projects to support evidence-based policy making in many areas of health and social care in a timely, open and transparent manner. The programme will ensure that evidence is steering our investment into the sustainability and resilience of our health service, and that it meets the needs of patients.” 

The seven successful projects will help to: 

  • Develop a person-centred, evidence-informed approach to managing waiting lists for in primary care in areas such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and speech and language therapy, to inform service planning and development. 
  • Identify existing and emerging digital health solutions such as telemedicine, AI and personalised assessment, and develop a framework to assess their value and potential use in relation to stroke given its significant impact on patients, families, and healthcare resources. Findings in relation to stroke can also help inform policy making in other areas. 
  • Evaluate the impact of Advanced Practice roles for Health & Social Care Professionals by examining the viability and impact of physiotherapists and occupational therapists providing interface clinics for musculoskeletal conditions like back pain and osteoarthritis to help improve the patient journey in the health system and reduce orthopaedic/rheumatology waiting times. 
  • Understand and tackle the rise of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Ireland and develop practical ways to improve sexual health and consequently prevent STIs. 
  • Create a definitive report on Ireland’s health system considering recent development such as economic change, a growing and aging population and COVID, which have all influenced our health system since the last report in 2009.This will help inform health system delivery and reform via Sláintecare and make comparisons with health systems in other countries. 
  • Develop data infrastructures to analyse the impact of reimbursed medicines on healthcare service use in Ireland, using national databases to assess the health outcomes experienced by patients and the costs incurred by the State, informing decision-making in relation to sustainable medicine policies 
  • Make PrEP services (a service model for prevention of HIV) more accessible and efficient, to overcome capacity and access challenges which will enable equitable access to PrEP and reduce HIV infections in Ireland. The project also aims to demonstrate how integrating digital services in healthcare can lead to better patient experiences, improved health outcomes, and more efficient use of resources. 

Lay summaries for each of the seven successful awards, along with details for communication contacts in relevant institutions are available to download here

Further information on the EfP scheme is available  here on the HRB website