A new partnership between Atlantic Technological University and the HSE was officially signed yesterday aimed at advancing education, skills development, research and innovation in the regions.
The collaboration ensures the health service has access to ATU graduates and that ATU graduates can train in their regional hospitals, supporting the return of workers to the area.
It will also focus on addressing health inequalities, excellence in education and training, collaboration in research and innovation, and stakeholder engagement.
The Minister for Further & Higher Level Education Simon Harris launched the partnership during a visit to ATU Donegal yesterday.
Simon Harris, TD., Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (centre) during visit to ATU, Letterkenny with Tony Canavan, CEO, of Salota University Health Care Group, Dr. Áine McNamara, North West. Area Director of Public Health HSE , Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer CH CDLMS, Dr. Orla Flynn, President ATU, John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer CHO 2 and JJ McGowan, General Manager Operations NAS West signing The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifying the commitment of both organisations to collaborate and address regional and national policy objectives. Photo Clive Wasson
A five-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed by ATU and the HSE solidifying the commitment of both organisations. The partnership includes Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo (CH, CDLMS), Community Healthcare West (CH W), Public Health West and North West, Saolta and National Ambulance Service.
Minister Harris said: “This new Memorandum of Understanding seeks to address two really important issues.
“It solidifies the partnership between ATU and the health service in the West and North West to ensure the health service has access to ATU graduates and indeed that ATU graduates can train in their own regional hospitals.
“This MOU also seeks to expand the relationship to developing and enhancing skills for staff through education and training, identifying areas for research and innovation, and explore funding opportunities. This partnership will be vital for both the university and the health service.”
Dr Áine McNamara, Area Director of Public Health, Department of Public Health, HSE West and North West said, “This collaboration will build upon the long standing liaisons between ATU and the HSE in the West and North West and is an important regional development for the population. The formal partnership combined with the respective strengths of each organisation can shape the workforce and innovative agenda to better equip the Region to respond to health challenges, in particular health inequalities and to promote health equity.”
The aims of the partnership include: developing and enhancing skills through education and training, supporting clinical placements for ATU students and supporting regional diaspora to return to the area.
The partnership also aims to identify areas for research and innovation, explore funding opportunities, and collaborate with other relevant agencies.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, said the partnership will have a positive impact on the region; “This collaboration is a testament to the commitment and hard work of staff across all campuses of ATU and the HSE in advancing education, healthcare, and research. We are especially pleased to have our MOU signing witnessed by Minister Harris, given the focus on academic and research excellence, as well as our collaborative community focus.”
To oversee the development and planning of this partnership, a Strategic Planning Group will be established, featuring representatives from both organisations. The group will work towards formalising terms of reference, methodologies for work programs, and other essential aspects of the collaboration.
