Back to the Future: Inaugural Lecture of Prof Andrew Davies

Posted on: 18 May 2023

Professor Andrew Davies will deliver his inaugural lecture entitled “Back to the future” on Thursday 25 May at 6pm in the Tercentenary Hall, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI). This event is free and open to the public, and you can register for it here.

About Back to the future

Palliative Medicine is a relatively new medical speciality, which was founded on the principles of holistic (personalised) care, and equally evidence-based care. Moreover, clinical research was seen as a fundamental component within pioneering specialist palliative care services (and the means-to-the-end of providing “optimal” care for patients). ​​​​​​​

Prof Davies will look back at these pioneering services, and his own career within Palliative Medicine, to identify strategies for overcoming current problems within palliative and end-of-life care (i.e. limited resources, variable outcomes), and for improving palliative and end-of-life care for current and future patients. He will also discuss the role and limitations of current specialist palliative care services. 

Prof Davies comments: “Evolution is a fact of life, and Palliative Medicine needs to adapt like all medical specialties. However, it needs to retain its founding principles, and never forget the reasons behind its initial success”.

About Prof Davies

Prof Andrew Davies is Professor of Palliative of Palliative Medicine at Trinity, and Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services. He is a Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Our Lady’s Hospice, and is an Honorary Consultant in Palliative Medicine at St James’s Hospital. He is head of the Academic Department of Palliative Medicine, which is a collaboration between TCD, UCD and Our Lady’s Hospice. His research interests include pain and symptom control (e.g. oral symptoms, opioid-induced constipation), clinically-assisted hydration, circadian rhythm disorders, remote monitoring, and cancer survivorship.

About Inaugural Lectures

It is the tradition in Trinity that newly-appointed Professors are invited to give an inaugural lecture. The lecture represents the official recognition of their promotion to Professor, and the lecture itself provides an opportunity to showcase their achievements in research, innovation, engagement and teaching activities before an audience of members of the University community, invited stakeholders and the general public. An Inaugural Lecture is a significant event in an academic staff member's career.

Register for this lecture on Eventbrite.

Media Contact:

Ciara O’Shea | Media Relations | coshea9@tcd.ie | +353 1 896 4204