Impact

At a time of unprecedented challenges to health care provision, and a need for recognition of widening diversities, this group will take a proactive stance to promote equitable and accessible care, across the life span. 

Aims & Objectives

Aim:

To conduct research that investigates and promotes the provision of just, universal, ethical, and sustainable healthcare by trusted professionals, providing inclusive care.

Specific Objectives:

1. To collaborate locally, nationally and internationally to share knowledge, build interdisciplinary and global networks, and advance the field of equitable and accessible healthcare.
2. To support the expansion and translation of research to promote care that is consistent with the values of equity and inclusivity
3. To develop and test interventions that support caring, ethical, and inclusive practices in hospital and community healthcare settings

Projects and Collaborations

The following are a sample of current research projects and collaborations undertaken by the J.U.S.T.I.C.E research team:

The Pandemics Ethics advisory group

The Pandemic Ethics Advisory Group (PEAG), was established by the Department of Health on the 19^th March 2020 as an expert sub-group of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), to act as an ethics advisory body to government, policymakers and health service providers relating to COVID-19 preparedness and response. Dr. Joan McCarthy, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC was invited on to this multidisciplinary group as an expert in healthcare ethics. The terms of reference, membership and activities of the Pandemic Ethics Advisory Group are available at: 

https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/504017-nphet-covid-19-subgroup-pandemic-ethics-advisory-group-peag/

Living Well with the Dead in Contemporary Ireland (Wellcome Small Grant in Humanities and Social Science)

Dr. Joan McCarthy is a collaborator and an active member of the research team on a university wide project which aims to develop a medical humanities network to research changing Irish social imaginaries of living well with the dead. Detailed information on this project is available at the following link:  Living Well with the Dead in Contemporary Ireland

Evaluation of the Irish Hospice Foundation Design and Dignity Programme

Dr. Nicola Cornally (PI) in conjunction with a number of researchers from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC, including Dr. Caroline Dalton undertook an evaluation of the Irish Hospice Foundation Design and Dignity Project. The Design & Dignity Programme was launched in 2010, in collaboration with the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) and Health Service Executive (HSE). This programme funded the development of over 30 end of life care spaces for both patients and their families. This project was commissioned by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care in collaboration with the Irish Hospice Foundation. Detailed information on this project is available at the following link: Evaluation of the Irish Hospice Foundation Design and Dignity Programme

CONCORDAT (inCOrporatiNG ACP intO Routine COPR mAnagemenT) research group

Dr. Nicola Cornally is the lead researcher on the CONCORDAT. This project is a collaboration between University College Cork (UCC), Respiratory Medicine at Mercy University Hospital (MUH), Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, COPD Support Ireland, Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF), All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) and Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme St James' Hospital Dublin. The group was set up to address the knowledge and skill gap of HCPs regarding the palliative care needs of people with COPD with the support of a medical education grant from GSK Ireland. 

End-of-life care supports and decision-making practices in specialist intellectual disability residential services

Dr. Caroline Dalton recently completed her PhD which focused on End-of-life care supports and decision-making practices in specialist intellectual disability residential services. The study identified that people with an intellectual disability and their families should be included in end- of-life care at a much earlier stage than is currently the case. The supports required by people with an intellectual disability, their families and staff need to be made explicit to ensure the autonomy of people with an intellectual disability is protected and promoted when making end-of-life decisions. Detailed information on this study is available at the following link: https://cora.ucc.ie/handle/10468/9950    

Providing Comfort Care at End of Life Webinar

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Caroline Dalton was instrumental in organising a webinar focused on providing comfort care at end of life for people with an intellectual disability.  The webinar us undertaken in collaboration with the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC), The Cope Foundation and the Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) in the Health Service Executive (HSE). The webinar was presented by Geraldine O’Callaghan, Candidate Advance Nurse Practitioner at Cope Foundation and was facilitated by Dr Cathy Payne, AIIHPC. A link to this webinar is available here:http://www.professionalpalliativehub.com/covid-19/project-echo-aiihpc-webinars-intellectual-disability-services#1

Economic Impact of Bereavment

Dr Caroline Dalton (PI) in conjunction with researchers from the School of Nursing and Midwifery  and the Cork University Business School undertook a study to explore in-depth the economic impact of bereavement on people who have been bereaved, from the perspectives of the bereaved and professionals supporting them. This study was undertaken in conjunction with the Irish Hospice Foundation and was funded by the Dept of Social Protection.

People

Dr. Joan McCarthy   j.mccarthy@ucc.ie

Areas of interest: nursing/midwifery/healthcare ethics; ethical issues at beginning and end-of-life; feminist ethics, moral distress of health professionals

Dr. Nicola Cornally   n.cornally@ucc.ie

Areas of interest:  Dementia Palliative Care, Contemporary issues in End-of-Life Care, Pain Assessment and Management in Older Persons and Professional Development in Gerontological Nursing

Ms Caroline Dalton   c.doconnor@ucc.ie

Areas of  interest: Human rights, healthcare ethics, End-of-Life Care, Advanced Care Planning and the impact these topics have on the lives of those with an intellectual disability, dementia and acquired brain injury and autism.

Dr Angela Flynn   angela.flynn@ucc.ie 

Areas of interest: Intersection of nursing and broader social scientific perspectives, the social determinants of health, health inequalities, social inclusion, cultural competency/safety in nursing, supporting vulnerable migrant students, solidarity, and historical genealogical research methods.

Dr Valeria Venditti  valeria.venditti@ucc.ie