The current fragmented nature of paediatric tertiary services across three hospital sites in Dublin has compromised the development of child health research, a review into the suitability of the Mater site for the new National Paediatric Hospital (NPH) has found. “Unfortunately, the fragmented nature of paediatric tertiary services across three sites in Dublin has compromised the development of child health research,” the review team stated in its report presented to Minister of Health Dr James Reilly recently.
“All concerned acknowledged the poor relative performance of child health researchers in national/peer-reviewed competition.”This relative poor performance was also documented in the Australian context, where the Brisbane child health community fragmented over two sites, resulting in a very poor relative performance compared to interstate peers on all measurable research parameters, the team, which had an Australian member, pointed out.
However, there was an opportunity with the development of the NPH to bring together committed but fragile and fragmented elements of paediatric research across Dublin, the team advised, stressing that research and education were critical elements of the mission of a tertiary children’s hospital. This development, the team said, could also be the leverage to bring the three major affiliated universities together with clinical scientists from the three Dublin paediatric hospitals to develop a shared vision for child health research for Ireland. The team even went as far as saying this represented a “very real” opportunity for Ireland to develop a health community across the age spectrum that was built on knowledge and enquiry.
Of those researchers who presented to the review panel, along with their Foundation support, it was clear that there has been no serious collaborative planning across the city, the panel said. “There appears to be good will and positive relationships (including with universities) but no core consolidated plan for research development committed to by all relevant parties. While it was noted that all researchers presenting to the review team were pleased with the research space currently designed within the planned NPH, it is of concern that such planning has occurred without a consolidated vision/plan for the future of research,” the team elaborated. They noted that the “greatest concern” of researchers was that their space was potentially disposable and hence at risk.