Recent News & Events
Meet Dr Anda Dumitrescu, our 4 year Module Coordinator and Head Beekeeper on Cork University Hospital (CUH) Campus
One of the big areas of research in Paediatrics has been allergy led previously by Prof Jonathan Hourihane and for the last number of years Dr Juan Trujillo. ork University Hospital(CUH) is the national centre for the treatment of children who have endured life-threatening allergic reactions to bee and wasp stings (anaphylaxis).As biodiversity is a key theme underpinning the Sustainable Healthcare Change programme at CUH and within the University we worked in collaboration with the CUH to install beehives on CUH campus.
One of the big areas of research in Paediatrics has been allergy led previously by Prof Jonathan Hourihane and for the last number of years Dr Juan Trujillo. Cork University Hospital(CUH) is the national centre for the treatment of children who have endured life-threatening allergic reactions to bee and wasp stings (anaphylaxis). The treatment requires intensive, long term escalating doses of venom, given by injection. UCC Department of Paediatrics & Child Health is also based on CUH campus.
As biodiversity is a key theme underpinning the Sustainable Healthcare Change programme at CUH and within the University we worked in collaboration with the CUH Sustainability Manager and CUH Maintenance Department to install beehives on CUH campus. Unfortunately with covid, this project had to take a back seat and Prof Hourihane has moved on to RCSI in Dublin, but we are now back up and running with Dr Anda Dumitrescu as the Head Bee Keeper.
Not only will the beehives bring more biodiversity on the campus, it will also allow supervised, graded re-introduction of immunotherapy-treated children to this popular and eco-friendly pastime, allowing them to play their own role in securing food security for present and future generations. Other children attending CUH as inpatients, sometimes for several weeks, will learn about bees, and their complex ecosystem as part of their science curriculum in CUH’s school. Visits to the proposed hives in CUH could be facilitated with the provision of protective clothing and would enhance their experience while in hospital and improve their quality of life while recovering. Children attending CUH as day cases or outpatients will be able to watch hive activity on CCTV, in the OPD waiting area.