New partnership between Atlantic Technological University and HSE aims to build a healthier future

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) including Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo (CH, CDLMS), Community Healthcare West (CH W), Public Health West and North West, Saolta and National Ambulance Service have formed a new partnership aimed at advancing education, skills development, research and innovation to build a healthier future. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially launched by Minister Simon Harris at ATU Donegal Letterkenny, solidifying the commitment of both organisations to collaborate and address regional and national policy objectives.

Strategic priorities of the partnership include regional service development, addressing health inequalities, excellence in education and training, collaboration in research and innovation, and stakeholder engagement.

The MoU, effective from Monday, January 22, 2024, outlines a five-year agreement between ATU and the HSE. The partnership aims to strengthen the existing relationship between the two organisations and provide a platform for development of stronger health and academic links into the future.

The Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, Simon Harris, commended the partnership, stating, "I am delighted to be here in Letterkenny to formally launch this new phase of collaboration between ATU and the HSE. This new Memorandum of Understanding seeks to address two really important issues.

It solidifies the partnership between ATU and the health service in the West and North West to ensure the health service has access to ATU graduates and indeed that ATU graduates can train in their own regional hospitals. This MOU also seeks to expand the relationship to developing and enhancing skills for staff through education and training, identifying areas for research and innovation, and explore funding opportunities. This partnership will be vital for both the university and the health service."

Both ATU and HSE have respective organisational goals and objectives and these are embodied into the work of the partnership in a collaboration.

This collaboration will build upon the long standing liaisons between the ATU and the HSE in the area and is an important regional development for the population. The formal partnership combined with the respective strengths of each organisation can shape the workforce and innovative agenda better able to response to health challenges of the future.

Dr Áine McNamara, Area Director of Public Health, Department of Public Health, HSE West and North West said, “This collaboration will build upon the long standing liaisons between ATU and the HSE in the West and North West and is an important regional development for the population. The formal partnership combined with the respective strengths of each organisation can shape the workforce and innovative agenda to better equip the Region to respond to health challenges, in particular health inequalities and to promote health equity.”

The aims of the partnership include: developing and enhancing skills through education and training, supporting clinical placements for ATU students and supporting regional diaspora to return to the area.

The partnership also aims to identify areas for research and innovation, explore funding opportunities, and collaborate with other relevant agencies.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, said the partnership will have a positive impact on the region; "This collaboration is a testament to the commitment and hard work of staff across all campuses of ATU and the HSE in advancing education, healthcare, and research. We are especially pleased to have our MOU signing witnessed by Minister Harris, given the focus on academic and research excellence, as well as our collaborative community focus."

To oversee the development and planning of this partnership, a Strategic Planning Group will be established, featuring representatives from both organisations. The group will work towards formalising terms of reference, methodologies for work programs, and other essential aspects of the collaboration.

Photo caption: Seated L-R:  Tony Canavan, CEO, of Salota University Health Care Group, Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer CH CDLMS, Dr Orla Flynn, President ATU and Prof Jacqueline McCormick, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, ATU. Back from left are Dr Áine McNamara,  North West. Area Director of Public Health HSE , John Fitzmaurice,  Chief Officer CHO 2, Virgina Reid, Senior Planner HSE and JJ McGowan, General Manager Operations NAS West signing The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifying the commitment of both organisations to collaborate and address regional and national policy objectives.

Aidan Haughey 
ATU Communications Manager /
Bainisteoir Cumarsáide OTA
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA), Éire
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland       
Tel: +353 86 086 6913
www.atu.ie/communications