Clinical & Research Academy

“A fully fledged University Teaching Hospital serving the growing population of Co. Donegal will bring certain health, economic and educational boosts to a region previously short-changed in terms of national infrastructural support.”That’s according to Henry McGarvey, Chairman of the Donegal Clinical Academy Trust, who are spearheading the development of the Donegal Clinical and Research Academy in conjunction with National Unversity of Ireland Galway. The Academy is a new initiative which will embed a lead site for medical education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Donegal. It will be a hub for clinical research in a range of areas of importance including cancer, cardiac disease, renal and respiratory diseases in both adults and children. This will have the knock-on effect of attracting and retaining high quality medical researchers in Donegal. Operating under the auspices of the National University of Ireland Medical School, Galway, this €4 million facility will be developed on the grounds of Letterkenny Hospital. €2 million of the cost of this facility is being provided by NUI, Galway, meanwhile, the Trust has commenced fundraising for the remaining €2 million, which will be required to complete a 300-seater auditorium with additional research capacity.

The operational funding for the project is being provided by NUI, Galway. This will continue to be the case on completion of the new facility and the long- term sustainability of the Academy’s activity is assured with regard to this operational funding.

At present there are 40 fulltime medical students resident in Letterkenny expanding to 60 in 2012 and eventually it’s is anticipated that there will be 100 full-time students resident in addition to post graduate students involved in research work.

In addition to this student/researcher cohort, the Trust intends to provide opportunities for students from the U.S. to avail of courses and research opportunities in the Academy. They are working with partners in the Irish International Immigration Centre in Boston on this aspect, in close cooperation with their Intern Programme Manager.

Mr. Michael Sugrue, Consultant Breast Surgeon at Letterkenny Hospital and Trust Secretary says, “The North West Clinical Academy Trust believes this project will be of interest to members of the Irish Diaspora and to friends of Ireland who may wish to contribute to the development of such a project with its range of tanigle benefits. As such we are launching our campaign on the international stage to engage individuals and corporations who have an interest and empathy in our work.”

Further Information on the Donegal Clinical and Research Academy contact:

Henry McGarvey on 353 87-4192223 

Michael Sugrue on 353 87-7614906 or email michael.sugrue@hse.ie