Cork to become health research hub

Cork is set to become a national “health innovation hub” as part of a project that could transform the health service and create jobs.

The news came last night as University College Cork announced separately it is adding a new professorship in general practice to its team of medical experts.

The professor will be based at a new primary care centre and healthcare campus planned for the site of St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital on the northside of the city.

The professorial post will involve clinical care and joint research projects aimed at developing and improving primary care.

UCC president Michael Murphy also said the college will be making further announcements about developments on the St Mary’s site soon.

Meanwhile, innovation minister Sean Sherlock, confirmed that UCC, Cork Institute of Technology, the HSE and global leaders in Cork’s life sciences and pharma industries have signed a formal agreement to work together as part of the health innovation hub initiative.

They will identify and introduce savings and efficiencies in the health system, research and develop new medical processes and devices, and identify areas for job creation.

The results of the group’s work will be introduced and tested in the Cork area first, and Mr Sherlock said if they prove successful, they will be rolled out nationwide.

“This is designed to drive more innovation through the health service through the use of new technologies and processes, and engage more on the relationships between primary, secondary and tertiary health care systems,” he said.

“We want to use all the resources and agencies and companies we have.”

He said Health Minister James Reilly and Richard Bruton, the minister for jobs have already exchanged letters agreeing the health innovation hub as a matter of government policy.

Mr Sherlock said it will ensure key people across all sectors are working together towards specific goals.