Tullamore Hospital staff mark World Clinical Trials Day
Monday of this week, May 20, was International Clinical Trials Day.
The day was marked locally by the clinical trial team in the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT), which hosted an information stand to raise awareness of the work of clinical research professionals.
A new Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Representative Group is currently being set up by the hospital in Tullamore, in collaboration with St James's Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital.
In Tullamore on Monday, Aileen Walsh, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Clinical Trials Research Nurse, and Michelle Connolly, Haematology/Oncology Clinical Trials Research Nurse Co-Ordinator, were raising awareness among staff and the general public of the new Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Representative Group.
Aileen Walsh said: "The patient representative group brings together people who have or are undergoing cancer research and care, to influence and contribute their views on cancer research in Ireland."
Through sharing their experiences, cancer clinical trials patient representatives work with hospital staff to help improve the quality of cancer research care for patients, based on their experiences.
They also bring the patient perspective to quality improvement projects, service developments, cancer clinical trials research, information leaflets, new facilities or refurbishments, and policy development.
Aileen added: "Members of the patient representative group will also gain support from being part of a wider patient group and hopefully they will find being part of our team constructive and valuable."
Michelle Connolly stated: "Here in Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, we are currently looking for people who have a lived experience in cancer research as a patient or as a family member.
"Patients and family members have a range of experiences within the hospital. They serve as an advisory resource to hospital staff helping them to understand experiences from the patients’ perspective."
Louisea Burke Director of Nursing MRHT said, "We are delighted to be participating in this joint effort, with St James’s Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital, in establishing a Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Representative Group.
"The work of clinical research professionals is built upon the foundations of knowledge, best practices, and a commitment to championing patient well-being.
"This patient representative group will allow the voice of the patient and their experiences to be heard and listened to. This group has the opportunity to make a real impact on the future of clinical trials and research."
* If you are interested in becoming a member of the Patient Representative Group or have any questions, contact: Aileen Walsh (aileenm.walsh@hse.ie) or Michelle Connolly (michelleg.connolly@hse.ie) or phone: 057 9358546.