UCC and Marymount University Hospital and Hospice jointly launch an innovative MSc in Palliative Care

21 Apr 2023

A new MSc programme in Palliative Care has launched in partnership with Marymount University Hospital and Hospice and University College Cork.

This clinically-oriented course incorporates leading research and innovative evidence-based practice in the field of contemporary palliative care. Its design focuses on developing competence and confidence in caring for people living with advanced illness while supporting those important to them.

The launch was held in UCC's Brookfield Health Sciences Complex on Friday 21st April.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD joined us in UCC and spoke about the impact the course will have for palliative care in the Cork region and nationwide.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD said: “I greatly welcome the launch of this new joint MSc in Palliative Care between Marymount University Hospital and Hospice and University College Cork which ensures continued high-quality education and research programmes to ensure excellent clinical care for the future. Palliative care has become increasingly important for all of us, as our population ages, people are living longer and living longer with chronic diseases. Palliative care plays a huge role in improving the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness and for those needing end of life care”.

“With Covid-19 we all know how particularly difficult it has been for many families. What has remained constant, however, is the enduring love, ethos of care and value on the dignity of the person that encapsulates the philosophy of Marymount University Hospital and Hospice. We owe a great deal of gratitude to Marymount and to all hospices throughout the country who support their communities, acute hospitals and the nursing home sector providing compassionate end-of-life care”.

Chief Executive Officer of Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Dr Sarah McCloskey said: “As a relatively new medical speciality, Specialist Palliative Care is often misunderstood by both healthcare professionals and the public. It is essential that we educate more. This Masters programme through enhancement of knowledge and awareness of palliative care will enable appropriate and faster access to specialist services which ultimately benefits patients and families.”

Head of UCC's College of Medicine and Health, Professor Helen Whelton said: “I am delighted to be involved in supporting such an important educational initiative with Marymount University Hospital and Hospice. Everyone in Cork knows someone who has benefited from the care and support offered by Marymount, Ireland’s oldest and busiest hospice having celebrated 150 years of service in 2020. As the specialist Palliative Care Centre for Cork and Kerry the institution of Marymount is much loved and universally admired”.  

L-R: Cllr Garret Kelleher, Dr Fiona Kiely, Dr Sarah McCloskey, Dr Paula O'Leary, Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD, Dr Catherine Sweeney and Professor Helen Whelton.

The joint MSc Programme in Palliative Care is an innovative part-time, blended-learning programme which has been designed to an international standard. The Postgraduate Certificate is now open to healthcare professionals who would like to develop knowledge, skills and competencies to assist them in delivering palliative care to patients and their families at a generalist level. The Postgraduate Diploma supports students to take on the delivery of palliative care at a specialist and leadership level and the MSc provides the knowledge and skills required to critically evaluate the available evidence and develop and undertake research and assume management and leadership positions in the delivery of palliative care.

Students can find out more about this innovative new programme on the UCC and Marymount websites.

For more on this story contact:

Dr Catherine Sweeney