Innovation service – TUH role

Innovation in Tallaght

TUH are first hospital to create dedicated innovation centre

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) has announced the appointment of Dr Natalie Cole as Head of Innovation. Dr Cole will lead on the establishment of the new Innovation Centre at TUH. Dr Cole is also joined by Dr Hannah O’Keeffe, Innovation NCHD, who will support the establishment of the Centre and lead on the delivery of the clinical innovation portfolio for TUH.

With COVID-19 as the impetus, this year has been a flagship year for healthcare innovation worldwide. While technologies like telehealth played a key role in changing the way healthcare is delivered, the year also brought a shift in overarching strategies and approaches to innovation.

“At TUH we are assessing how innovation can not only address the COVID-19 crisis but also build a more effective, efficient, and equitable healthcare system in the future. Leadership in research & innovation are central to delivering better care and is one of the key pillars of the Hospital’s current corporate strategy,” said a Tallaght hospital spokesperson.

The Innovation Centre will provide an opportunity for partners to test healthcare innovation projects across clinical and non-clinical departments (eg human resources, finance, facilities etc). The newly established Innovation Hub is a one of a kind dedicated physical space in the main atrium of the Hospital. This space will support the provision of ‘idea clinics’ for the development of ideas from a problem solving stage through to development and implementation.

The establishment of the new Centre and Innovation Hub will build on the already high-calibre innovative projects underway throughout the Hospital with links established with academia, HSE Digital Transformation and HIHI. The appointments of Dr Cole and Dr O’Keeffe (both pictured above) are the first steps in enhancing the Hospital’s reputation and track record in this area with a view to becoming a recognised leader in Innovation. The appointment of Dr Cole is supported by the Meath Foundation.

Lucy Nugent, Chief Executive, TUH, said, “We appreciate and recognise the value of innovation and whilst TUH has a long and very proud history of innovation we need to ensure that we are building a sustainable approach to innovation building on our capabilities. Successful innovation enables the hospital to be more effective, efficient and competitive. These appointments and the creation of the Innovation Hub, a physical space in our hospital, will help to nurture and develop a culture of innovation creating a system for innovation that continually scans for new ideas and takes them through to widespread use.”

Dr Cole said she was ‘incredibly energised by this opportunity’.

“To deliver real advances in healthcare you need commitment and enthusiasm from staff, strong relationships with academia and industry. TUH has all of these elements. We are looking forward to nurturing and developing innovation capability with the clear aim of delivering benefits for patients," she said.