Harney: Research key to better patient care

Health research must be encouraged to ensure patients receive top-class care, a conference heard tonight.

Tánaiste Mary Harney said the changes in the research environment over the last few years had highlighted the need to stimulate and gather information on diseases both nationally and regionally.

The health minister said: “If we are going to position Ireland at the forefront of this transformation, we need to seize the opportunity to turn the research potential in our health services into a reality.

“A vibrant research culture is emerging in Irish Health Services. We need to harness this potential in a structured way to improve health, combat racism, reduce disability and provide first class health care.”

Professor Sir John Pattison, who recently retired as director of research and development from the UK Department of Health highlighted the vital role it has played in the National Health Service over the last decade.

Health experts gathered for the two-day conference in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel to explore the way care systems must adapt to a technology oriented society.

Prof Pattison highlighted the many important benefits which research yields for patients.

In his keynote speech at the conference on the development of research in the health services, he spoke of the opportunities it allows to develop more biotechnology companies and boost the economy.

The professor told the conference, which was sponsored by the state-run Health Research Board, that innovative research led to a strong work environment with staff who believed they were helping to improve medicine and the health care services.

The board has invested €24.6m this year to provide support for researchers, strengthen the overall infrastructure and to develop links between health agencies, research charities and universities.