The Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation at Trinity’s School of Nursing and Midwifery Launched

Posted on: 12 March 2012

A newly formed Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin was recently launched (March 8th, 2012).

The Centre will bring together clinical practice staff in nursing and midwifery, aligned with academic strengths in a partnership that aims to provide improved models of service delivery and practice for the benefit of all patients, service users and society.  As part of the initiative, it also aims to develop a national network of Practice Innovation Units that will work together sharing resources and developing research in nursing, midwifery and healthcare.

Commenting on its significance, its new director, Professor Catherine Comiskey explained: “In these challenging times for health services and research in Ireland this new Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation provides a framework to work in partnership with those in clinical practice, the health services and technology, with the common aim of improving the design, planning, delivery and implementation of healthcare for the benefit of all. This new initiative aims to place Trinity College Dublin as a leader in Ireland in fostering innovative and sustainable methods of enhancing healthcare, through research and innovation.”

Ms Carolyn Jackson, Centre for Practice Development,  Canterbury Christ Church University; Prof Catherine Comiskey, Director of the Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation, Trinity College Dublin; Prof Agnes Higgins, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin; Prof Gary Rolfe, Wales Centre for Practice Innovation, Swansea University.

A number of international experts in the area of practice development and innovation were in attendance at the launch of the Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation.  Professor Gary Rolfe and Dr Dave Barton of the Wales Centre for Practice Innovation at Swansea University, together with Ms Carolyn Jackson from Centre for Practice Development at Canterbury Christ Church University and Alice Webster of the NHS presented on their experience and the benefits of similar Centres for nursing and midwifery practice.  Dr David Prendergast, Intel Ireland, also presented on his vision for innovation within healthcare.