The Principal Investigator for the FaME Ireland project is Dr Ruth McCullagh, Lecturer in Physiotherapy in the School of Clinical Therapies at University College Cork.  Our research project is funded by the Health Research Board and the HSE, and will run over two years (2024 - 2026).  We will be working closely with partners and colleagues in UCC, the HSE, RCSI and with Glasgow Caledonian University.  We will evaluate how FaME has been implemented and rolled out in a number of 'early adopter' sites in Ireland, in particular examining reach, effectiveness, value and sustainability themes. 

Our primary aims over the length of the project are to (1) DEFINE current service provision and practice across Ireland, along with a deeper analysis of service provision in 3 early adopter sites (Dublin, Kerry and Leitrim), (2) to co-DESIGN adaptations and service improvement ideas with key stakeholders, and then (3) to DELIVER the service with the changes in place, and re-evaluate service delivery.   

The FaME Ireland project design has been developed in collaboration with those working in the health service, patients and policy makers.  Now that the project is up and running, we hope to engage with a broad range of stakeholders during the length of the project.  We will be interviewing and surveying a range of healthcare professionals, service providers and service users over the length of the project.  We want to engage with a range of policy makers and clinical leaders across Ireland to further develop and expend the range of evidence-based falls management exercise programmes available to clients in many more communities.  If you are interested in knowing more about the project, do get in touch with the team.