CUH Charity appoints Claire Concannon as new interim executive director

Among the many innovative projects the charity has supported is the purchase of a Da Vinci Xi surgical robot which is used in the treatment of prostate cancer

Claire Concannon (left), who has been appointed the new interim Executive Director of Cork University Hospital (CUH) Charity pictured with CUH Charity chairperson Gerry O’Dwyer (right). Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

A charity which has raised over €14m for Cork University Hospital is looking forward to further fundraising challenges under new interim executive director Claire Concannon.

The CUH Charity, set up in 2012, has supported innovative projects such as the purchase of a Da Vinci Xi surgical robot at a cost of €3.2m to improve care for patients from Cork and across Munster.

Ms Concannon replaces Michael Nason who stepped down at the end of last month. Mr Nason will be remembered for his work in promoting the charity during the pandemic years especially.

Chairman Gerry O’Dwyer paid tribute to Mr Nason, who took over in early 2019 and "steered the charity during the challenging covid-19 period".

He welcomed Ms Colcannon’s appointment also as interim executive director. 

“Claire’s deep understanding and knowledge of the health charity sector would ensure the charity would maintain and enhance its primary focus of supporting CUH and CUMH in the delivery of first-class patient care and of being a safe comfortable environment for staff and visitors,” he said.

The charity works with hospital staff to identify the most urgent needs and provides financial support across all departments. Over €14m was raised between 2012 and 2022 for CUH and also the Cork University Maternity Hospital.

These include supporting work on the waiting area, courtyard and play area as well as the family room in the new Paediatric Emergency Department at a cost of €500,000.

They bought a new Carl Zeiss Kinevo Neuro Operating Microscope costing €550,000 and developed an outdoor gym area for staff use at a cost of €110,000.

Surgical robot

The donated surgical robot system is used in the treatment of prostate cancer, a consultant urologist at CUH previously told the Irish Examiner.

“The da Vinci Xi surgical system facilitates the surgery in many ways, which include improved magnification, improved surgeon ergonomics and greater technical ease of suturing in a tight space deep in the abdomen,” said Kevin O’Connor.

“This translates into better outcomes for patients in relation to less pain and a quicker recovery.” 

He said in November 2022: “CUH Charity involvement was vital in equipping CUH with the one da Vinci Xi surgical instrument we have, and with the simulator that’s used for surgery and surgical training at the hospital.”