Research & Developmenthttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6282742024-03-26T23:29:16Z2024-03-26T23:29:16ZA methodological approach to intra-action reviews - application and adaptation of existing global guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic response in Ireland, 2021.O'Connor, EoghanO'Riordan, MaryMorrissey, Mary CDever, NiamhO'Mahony, CliodhnaRomanowski, ShemBoland, Máirínhttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6382522023-10-28T01:58:41Z2023-03-30T00:00:00ZA methodological approach to intra-action reviews - application and adaptation of existing global guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic response in Ireland, 2021.
O'Connor, Eoghan; O'Riordan, Mary; Morrissey, Mary C; Dever, Niamh; O'Mahony, Cliodhna; Romanowski, Shem; Boland, Máirín
Many countries were under-prepared for the arrival of an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. An intra-action review allows countries, systems and services to reflect on their preparedness and response to date, and revise their policies and approaches as needed. We describe the approach to undertaking an intra-action review of Ireland's Health Protection COVID-19 response during 2021. A project team within National Health Protection developed a project plan, identified key stakeholders, trained facilitators and designed workshop programmes, employing integrated collaborative web tools. Multidisciplinary representatives participated in three half-day, independently facilitated workshops on challenges and solutions within specific response areas: communication, governance and cross-cutting themes such as staff well-being. An all-stakeholder survey sought further in-depth detail. Participants reviewed the ongoing pandemic response in terms of good practice and challenges and recommended implementable solutions. We customised our mixed-methods approach using existing ECDC/WHO guidance, producing consensus recommendations during Ireland's fourth wave of COVID-19, with particular focus on pathways to implementation. Our adaptations may help others in formulating and customising methodological approaches. During an emergency, identifying and reflecting on good practices to retain, and areas for strengthening, with a clear action plan of implementing recommendations, will enhance preparedness now, and for future emergencies.
2023-03-30T00:00:00ZGovernance of Research in the HSE and HSE-Funded Healthcare Services: a scoping reportResearch and Developmenthttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6354812023-09-13T02:20:10Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZGovernance of Research in the HSE and HSE-Funded Healthcare Services: a scoping report
Research and Development
A significant level of health research activity is currently on-going in the Health
Service Executive (HSE) and associated organisations, and a wide range of clinical
and non-clinical staff members are engaged in this activity. However, a review of the
existing research governance arrangements for research has identified many gaps
and opportunities for improvement. Although there are some local examples of good
practice, the existing research governance structures are by and large uncoordinated,
fragmented and in some instances, non-existent.
Research Governance is the framework that enables institutions to approve and authorise health
research, to ensure that research is of sufficient quality, and that the rights, dignity, safety and wellbeing
of all those involved are protected. Health research governance processes must ensure that research is
planned to the highest standards before it can start, and must provide mechanisms to enable relevant
checks, which are essential to guarantee public confidence.
Examples of best practice in other countries demonstrate that effectively governed research can
contribute to an evidence-based culture that recognises the added value of research to service
improvement, recruitment and retention of staff, continuing professional development and income
generation. Research into causes of disease, methods of prevention, techniques for diagnosis, and
new approaches to treatment have increased life expectancy, reduced infant mortality, limited the toll of
infectious diseases, and improved outcomes for patients. The lack of appropriate research governance
mechanisms in the HSE may lead to wasted resources and duplication of effort, hence the beneficial
impact of research on the service may not be fully realised.
The HSE and associated organisations have responsibilities for the research activity that they host, and
the findings in this report have informed the development of the HSE Action Plan for Health Research
which will aim to address the current shortfalls.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZHSE National Framework for Governance, Management and Support of Health ResearchResearch and Developmenthttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6354802023-04-27T02:36:04Z2021-09-01T00:00:00ZHSE National Framework for Governance, Management and Support of Health Research
Research and Development
The HSE framework for the Governance, Management and Support of Research (RGMS
framework) seeks to protect research participants by ensuring that the research
activity we host is ethically sound, and that the participants’ data will be protected
and safe. It also aims to facilitate research for staff and collaboration with academic
institutions while allowing the HSE to comply with its legal and regulatory obligations,
which is, in turn, essential to guarantee public trust.
The framework highlights the importance of patients as equal partners in the research
process and the value of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research. PPI can
increase the value and relevance of research by focusing on questions and priorities
of importance to patients and their families, increasing recruitment into studies,
shaping study design, and assisting with analysis by providing insight and the patient
perspective. PPI involvement can also inform the dissemination process by connecting
with patient organisations, and can help to avoid wasteful practice.
2021-09-01T00:00:00ZStandard Code of Governance and Management Required for HSE Reference Research Ethics CommitteesResearch and Developmenthttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6354712023-04-26T02:13:33Z2022-07-01T00:00:00ZStandard Code of Governance and Management Required for HSE Reference Research Ethics Committees
Research and Development
The HSE National Framework for the Governance, Management and Support of Health
Research1
was launched in 2021. The framework articulates how both ethical and
institutional oversight are necessary for the appropriate governance of health research
in the HSE and its funded organisations. While the Research Ethics Committees
(RECs) in the HSE and Section 38 (S38) organisations have fulfilled a very important
role in research governance to date, the current system faces significant challenges.
Hence, the full implementation of this framework will require both the reform of the
HSE Research Ethics Committees and the development of capability for research
governance, management, and support within the services hosting research activity.
The reform of the HSE Research Ethics Committee system will be coordinated by HSE
National Research and Development (R&D) in collaboration with the HSE REC Reform
working group (Appendix 1) and it will follow an agreed roadmap. The “Roadmap
for the Reform of Health and Social Care Research Ethics Committees”2
outlines the
creation of several HSE Reference RECs. Six of the Reference RECs will be aligned to
the future Regional Health Areas, as proposed in the Sláintecare Action Plan, and there
is the possibility to develop one aligned to Children’s Health Ireland. They will work
to the operational and transparency principles articulated in this “Standard Code
of Governance and Management for the HSE Reference RECs”, while supported by a
central national coordinating office. In order to achieve full national integration, the
HSE Reference RECs will seek to establish working partnerships with existing RECs in
S38 organisations and will coordinate, as far as possible, with the statutory National
Research Ethics Committees (NRECs).
This reform aims to address the challenges of an existing system which is fragmented,
uncoordinated, and under-supported, with a view to creating an efficient and effective
system that supports and encourages high quality health research activity.
2022-07-01T00:00:00ZHSE Roadmap for the Reform of Health and Social Care Research Ethics CommitteesResearch and Developmenthttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6354702023-04-26T02:13:25Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZHSE Roadmap for the Reform of Health and Social Care Research Ethics Committees
Research and Development
The HSE’s “National Framework for the Governance, Management and Support
of Health Research” (RGMS Framework) was launched in September 2021. The
implementation of the first framework for health research in the publicly funded
health service represents a stepping-stone towards nurturing a research culture in
the HSE, and recognising that research is a crucial activity, which contributes to the
improvement of services and benefits patients, their families, and the public. Full
implementation of the RGMS framework will require both reform of the HSE Research
Ethics Committee (REC) system as well as the development of capability for research
management and support within the service
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZHSE National Policy for Consent in Health and Social Care ResearchResearch and Developmenthttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6347922022-12-21T02:56:59Z2022-12-01T00:00:00ZHSE National Policy for Consent in Health and Social Care Research
Research and Development
This policy articulates the Health Service Executive (HSE) requirements
for obtaining consent for participation in health and social care research
from patients, their families, and carers, as well as from the public at large.
It aims to ensure that impactful research can be conducted ethically and in
compliance with legal requirements, while maintaining the confidence of the
participants and keeping them at the centre of the research process.
2022-12-01T00:00:00ZResearch Ethics Committee South Eastern Area: annual report 2012Lamb, Carolinehttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6269962020-09-09T12:12:02Z2013-05-01T00:00:00ZResearch Ethics Committee South Eastern Area: annual report 2012
Lamb, Caroline
Health related research continued apace within the South East in 2012 with a diverse range of projects and
participant groups being selected. The Research Ethics Committee remained committed to reviewing,
advising and approving research within the South Eastern area. The standards of research studies and those
presenting them remained consistently high with studies having great potential to shape the way health care is
delivered well into the future. The number of studies reviewed in 2012 was on a par with previous years
which is encouraging given the current economic climate Ireland is experiencing.
2013-05-01T00:00:00ZResearch Activity in the HSE and its Funded Organisations: a report of staff engaged in research, research studies undertaken, publication output and research networksTerrés, AnaO'Hara, Mary ClareFleming, PadraicCole, NatalieO'Hanlon, DeclanManning, Pádraighttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6269532023-02-23T11:05:26Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZResearch Activity in the HSE and its Funded Organisations: a report of staff engaged in research, research studies undertaken, publication output and research networks
Terrés, Ana; O'Hara, Mary Clare; Fleming, Padraic; Cole, Natalie; O'Hanlon, Declan; Manning, Pádraig
This study was carried out in response to the Action Plan for Health Research 2009-
2013, which placed on the HSE the responsibility for establishing a benchmark of
research activity in the health service against which opportunities can be identified,
efforts coordinated and future research activity monitored.
This report presents the results of such a study as the first attempt to benchmark the research activity
within the public health and social care services in Ireland. A variety of different accessible datasets
were used as an indication of research activity and output. The results are described around four main
categories: staff involved in research, research studies undertaken, publication outputs and Clinical
Research Networks. These indicators show that the volume of on-going research is significant and that
broad experience and capability across a variety of domains currently exists.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZHSE Action Plan for Health Research 2019–2029Terrés, Anahttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/6269522020-09-09T12:14:48Z2019-12-01T00:00:00ZHSE Action Plan for Health Research 2019–2029
Terrés, Ana
The objective of this plan is to embed a culture of research, evidence based practice and innovation in
the health service so that research becomes a critical enabler of health service delivery by attracting and
retaining the best healthcare staff, improving the quality and process of care, increasing the levels of
productivity and efficiency, and increasing patient engagement and satisfaction. It aims to develop the
mechanisms and operational infrastructure required to embed research as part of health service delivery
and decision making, positioning research as a key enabler of the transformation required to implement
Sláintecare.(2) The plan focuses on six key areas:
• Adequate research governance to ensure participants are protected: Research governance
mechanisms are necessary to ensure public confidence, by guaranteeing that research complies with all
professional, ethical, legal and scientific standards, hence reducing risk, enhancing ethical and scientific
quality and encouraging good practice.
• Support for staff engaged in research: Research management and support structures are essential to
ensure research governance is implemented successfully to develop a research culture and to build capacity.
• Increasing human and financial capacity: The health service currently faces severe financial and
staffing pressures in the process of delivering care. Hence, the service must be able to leverage external
investment and expertise to support and grow research activity, and to ensure internal investment in
research represents value for money.
• Adding value through research: In order for research to have impact, research must be relevant to the
needs of the patients, the health service and the policy makers, and the knowledge generated must be
translated into policy and practice. Dissemination and implementation are essential to achieving impact,
so that the benefits of knowledge generation are passed to other researchers, practitioners and the
wider community. Knowledge translation is the application of that knowledge by relevant stakeholders
to accelerate the benefits of global and local innovation in strengthening health systems and improving
people’s health. Institutional strategies are needed to promote and facilitate dissemination, and to
facilitate knowledge translation.
• Involving patients: The involvement of patients and the public in research plays an important role in
ensuring that patients are informed about research that is relevant to them. This can result in increased
patient participation and involvement in research. Enabling patients and their families to inform research
focus areas and processes is likely to improve the relevance of research.
1. Executive Summary 12 HSE Action Plan for Health Research 2019 –2029
• Leveraging the power of collaboration: The Health Service is a key component of the national health
research system. This includes other key actors, such as the third level sector, health funders and
charities, patient groups, the Department of Health, industry and other agencies and organisations.
The system must work in one direction to achieve maximum impact, and this can only be achieved by
establishing strong collaborative links to ensure alignment between health service needs, research and
education, policy and innovation. Hence mechanisms to facilitate alignment, engagement, knowledge
exchange and collaboration are essential to ensure success.
2019-12-01T00:00:00Z