HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champion Scholarships announced
HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champion Scholarships announced
Today Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) announces the seven HSE staff who have been successful in gaining a scholarship place on the second year of the clinician led HIHI and Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation. From almost 50 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 2020/21 cohort of HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champions come from organisations spanning the country – Cork, Dublin, Drogheda, Tullamore, Westmeath, Mayo and Donegal representing a diverse range of roles, departments and levels. These seven are now part of an action focused learning community of 18, 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 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. Our students are confident and inspirational leaders, learning to create their personal innovation framework to apply in healthcare organisations. 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 more competitive than ever, with a very high number of applications. I want to publically 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. Lectures will take place in TCD’s Tangent in the TCD business school on campus when these are lifted.
ENDS
HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champion Scholarships awardees:
| Name | Title | Organisation | Location |
| Eleanor Campbell | Clinical Specialist Radiographer in the Emergency Department (ED) | Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital | Drogheda |
| Antoinette Doherty | Clinical nurse Specialist/ Advanced Nurse Prcatitioner | CHO Area 1 | Donegal |
| John Kelly | Deputy CEO | Tallaght University Hospital | Dublin |
| Marie Prendergast | Business Manager Primary Care |
Community Healthcare Organisation 2 | Castlebar, Co Mayo |
| Niamh Gibney | Senior Occupational Therapist | Community Mental Health Centre | Mullingar, Co. Westmeath |
| Eileen Lombard | Senior Physiotherapist | Mercy University Hospital | Cork |
| Wishes to remain anonymous | Tullamore, Co Offaly |