Tullamore Hospital Mark World Clinical Trials Day
Are you, or someone you know currently participating in Cancer Research?
Would you be interested in joining a Patient Representative Group?
Monday May 20th, was International Clinical Trials Day, an opportunity to pause in reflection, recognition, and admiration of all that has been accomplished thanks to clinical trials and the people behind them.
The clinical trial team in the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) hosted an information stand to raise awareness of the work of clinical research professionals in their relentless pursuit of knowledge, application of best practices, and commitment to championing patient well-being.
Aileen Walsh, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Clinical Trials Research Nurse and Michelle Connolly Haematology/Oncology Clinical Trials Research Nurse Co-Ordinator in MRHT were raising awareness amongst staff and the general public of a new Cancer Clinical Trials Patient RepresentativeGroup (PRG). This is being established as a joint collaboration with Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT), St James’s Hospital (SJH), Tallaght University Hospital (TUH).
Aileen Walsh said, “The PRG brings together people who have or are undergoing cancer research and care, to influence and contribute their views on cancer research in Ireland.”
What does a Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Representative do?
- Through sharing your experiences, you will work with hospital staff to help improve the quality of cancer research care for patients based on their real life experience.
- Bring the patient perspective to quality improvement projects, service developments, cancer clinical trials research, information leaflets, new facilities or refurbishments, policy and programme development.
She adds “Members of the PRG 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 MRHT, we are currently looking for people who have a lived experience in cancer research as a patient, or as a family member under the care of MRHT, SJH or TUH”.
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, “Here in MRHT, we are delighted to be participating in this joint effort with SJH and TUH in establishing a Cancer Clinical Trials PRG. The work of clinical research professionals is built upon the foundations of knowledge, best practices, and a commitment to championing patient well-being. This PRG will allow the voice of the patient and their experiences to be heard and listened to. This PRG 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, please contact:
Aileen Walsh email: aileenm.walsh@hse.ie or
Michelle Connolly email: michelleg.connolly@hse.ie Phone: 057 9358546
Image 1: Aileen Walsh, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Clinical Trials Research Nurse MRHT, Louisea Burke Director of Nursing MRHT and Michelle Connolly Haematology/Oncology Clinical Trials Research Nurse Co-Ordinator MRHT.
