HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champion Scholarships 2021/22 announced
HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champion Scholarships 2021/22 announced
Today joint government initiative of the Department of Health and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) announce the seven HSE staff who have been successful in gaining a scholarship place on the third year of the clinician led HIHI and Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation. From 54 applicants these seven, (detail in notes) were identified as high potential change makers in the Irish health system and offered a scholarship place among a class of health industry and health sector students.
A HSE and Enterprise Ireland partnership, HIHI holds a number of places for HSE scholarships, offering reduced fees. The aim is to reach right across levels, grades and disciplines in the health service offering the academic opportunity to all. The 2021/22 cohort of HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champions come from organisations across the country representing a diverse range of roles, departments and levels. These seven are now part of an action focused learning community of 25, focused on accelerating change within their organisations. Over the 12-month programme, the students will complete eight modules, have access to workshops, resources and events to share challenges and experience, learn from expert guest lecturers.
Focusing on new health solutions, students gain a practical understanding of applying new technologies in healthcare. Examining the role of health economics, quality improvement and the principles of governance in leading effective, innovative health services is a key learning. The postgraduate course culminates with modules seven and eight focusing on a practical project comprising two phases. Along with their fellow students, HIHI/HSE Innovation Champions will be supported to identify and implement an innovative solution suitable for each participant’s workplace, that will have a positive impact in Irish healthcare. As the HSE continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, innovation – new ways of doing things – is vital to the health sector.
Course Director and HIHI TCD Principal Investigator Prof Seamas Donnelly said:
“Speaking as a clinician on the frontline, I know we need to adjust and reset some approaches in healthcare in Ireland and this postgraduate course is part of that effort. All of our students share a common vision of creating an innovative healthcare system to change the system and improve outcomes for patients.
”The application process for this year’s Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation was the most competitive ever. I want to publicly congratulate the outstanding applicants who have been accepted onto the programme.”
Sustained innovation in Irish healthcare, at an economically and fiscally responsible pace, must be a collaborative effort, requiring input from key players across the health landscape. HIHI and TCD recognise this and deliberately recruit students from both the health sector and the enterprise of health to the postgraduate diploma in healthcare innovation. The Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation is currently delivered entirely online in keeping with government recommendations but aims to return to TCD campus later this year.
Notes
| Name | Position | Organisation |
| Mícheál Bailey | Senior Physiotherapist in Pain Management and Musculoskeletal Outpatients | St Vincent’s University Hospital |
| Jacinta Greene | Senior Paediatric Dietitian | Children Health Ireland
(CHI) at Tallaght |
| Mary Hickey | Quality Improvement Lead | Tallaght University Hospital |
| Arathi Noronha | Higher Diploma Midwifery
Practice Co-ordinator |
Coombe Woman and Infants University Hospital |
| Dr. Síle O Connor | Senior Antimicrobial Pharmacist | University Hospital Kerry |
| Dr. Ivan Yu | Paediatric Specialist Registrar
(SpR) and National Fellow for Innovation and Change with the Spark Programme |
Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar |
| Cliodhna Cotter | Senior Pharmacist | Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown |