UCC and St Patrick’s Mental Health Services collaborate
A new strategic partnership to enhance pharmacy-related research and clinical collaborations has been announced in Cork.
The partnership between the Pharmacy Department at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and the School of Pharmacy at UCC will see the two organisations come together over the coming five years to advance research and clinical training in mental health pharmacy.
Through a wide range of collaborative activities, the partnership aims to foster innovation and enhance collegiality. Central to the partnership is the facilitation of clinical teaching for pharmacy students at UCC and the advancement of evidence-based research into mental health difficulties, with the goal of improving service user outcomes and informing best practices in mental healthcare.
Speaking about the partnership, Ciara Ni Dhubhlaing, Chief Pharmacist at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, said: “This partnership with UCC signifies a significant step forward in a shared vision of improving education, training, and research.
“By working together, we will leverage our collective strengths to drive innovation in clinical training and to pioneer new research as we strive to improve outcomes for service users and inform best practice in mental health services,” added Ms Ni Dhubhlaing.
The partnership will enable a wide range of activities including:
Research: The partnership will support research into mental health and enhance evidence-based knowledge.
Clinical teaching: Dedicated administrative links will be established to oversee integrated clinical teaching and research between both organisations.
Professional development: Both organisations will facilitate mutual professional development, ensuring continuous learning opportunities and growth for staff members within St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and UCC, and pharmacy students.
Sharing expertise: There will be active exchange of information and consultation on matters of mutual interest, fostering informed decision-making and collaboration. Staff from both organisations will establish and strengthen collaborative links, sharing expertise and resources to enhance capabilities.
Professor Helen Whelton, Head of the College of Medicine and Health, UCC, said: “By focusing on those facing mental health difficulties, we are confident that this strategic alliance will significantly enhance pharmacy-related research and clinical collaborations. This endeavour will yield substantial benefits, improving patient care and health outcomes across hospitals, primary care, and the community, while contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and compassionate world.”
Professor Laura Sahm, Vice Dean of School of Pharmacy, UCC, added: “I am thrilled to be part of this exciting new partnership, which will form part of the transformation of UCC’s research culture. This will be achieved through the implementation of engaged research and open research with clinicians at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services. I would welcome other UCC colleagues to join in this collaboration and see how we can effect positive change with person-centred research and learning.”
The partnership announcement comes as St Patrick’s Mental Health Services continues to progress its academic institute which, established in 2022, will be progressed into an international research centre, pioneering research in the field of mental health.