Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs the Irish Health Research Forum?
The Irish Health Research Forum is run by Health Research Charities Ireland. In 2014, HRCI commissioned a report on the health research landscape in Ireland, which made a number of insightful recommendations, including an overarching recommendation to establish an Irish Health Research Forum – a mechanism to provide a single Irish voice for research to improve health.
As an independent organisation, representing 40 charities and with a strong patient-focus, HRCI is ideally placed to bring people together to tackle the big issues in health research and to bring about change. We are supported in all Irish Health Research Forum activities by an exceptional and diverse Steering Group of leaders. For more information, see: www.hrci.ie/ihrf
Where does the Irish Health Research Forum take place?
Currently we host the Irish Health Research Forum in the Ashling Hotel, 10 – 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8, D08 P38N. The event space is wheelchair accessible via stairlift. There is a car park onsite and the hotel is located directly across from Heuston train station. It is served by the Heuston Luas stop (Red Line).
What is the purpose of the Irish Health Research Forum?
The Irish Health Research Forum considers key health research issues at two events every year and produces widely used reports and recommendations. The events are constructive and inclusive, with benefit to patients and the public being at the heart of all activities.
Is it possible to access the Irish Health Research Forum remotely?
Due to the discussion-based nature of the events, a hybrid option is not possible. The HRCI team is very small and we don’t have the capacity or funds to simultaneously host an in person and online event. However, we endeavour to record the talks and share them afterwards. We also produce a report from each event and disseminate widely to our mailing lists, policy makers, political representatives and members. We live tweet from the event using the #HealthResearchMatters and encourage those in the room to also use this #.
Who is invited to attend the Irish Health Research Forum?
We extend invitations for each Forum to all stakeholders working in health research in Ireland. This includes SFI, HRB, the Department of Health, the PPI Ignite offices, public servants, university research offices, consultants, patient and public representatives, researchers, charity representatives, our own members and of course the members of the Forum Steering Group.
We have a strong mailing list of over 1200 people which we use to send invitations and reports from the events. We also share the event widely on Twitter, via our newsletter and encourage colleagues to share with their networks.
Who decides what the theme for each Irish Health Research Forum will be?
The Irish Health Research Forum Steering Group includes representatives from the HSE, Science Foundation Ireland, the HRB, Cancer Trials Ireland, the National Clinical Trials Office, the National Research Ethics Committee Office, Irish Research Nurses & Midwives, the National Children’s Research Centre, the National PPI Ignite Network, the Technological Higher Education Association, HRCI members and patient and public representatives.
The Steering Group meets 4 times per year to agree on topics for the Irish Health Research Forum events, share knowledge and listen to feedback from previous events. Steering Group members work with HRCI to determine themes for events and decide on who should be invited to speak and sit on panels. They assist in moderating discussion tables at events and assist in forming the recommendations which come from the Forum events.
I didn’t get to ask a question/ make a comment- how can I pass it on?
We ask all attendees to complete a feedback form at the event. They are passed around during closing remarks. We also send the feedback form by email. We keep the forms short so that they don’t take up too much time. There is plenty pf space to tell us what you find useful, what you would change for next time and to leave comments on the events theme etc. The feedback forms are collated and used to inform future events and recommendations for the event report.
Why is the Irish Health Research Forum always a half day event?
Attendees often provide feedback asking why the event did not run for a full day. Unfortunately, we have tried running full day events and have seen a large drop off in attendees after lunch. Because the Irish Health Research Forum is aimed at high level participants, attendees are often pressed for time and cannot commit to a full day. HRCI and the Forum Steering Group endeavour to include as many perspectives as possible at the half day events and occasionally host 2 events on the same theme to ensure it is well covered.
Where can I find more information?
You can find further information on the Irish Health Research Forum here
If you would like to be kept up to date on the work of Health Research Charities Ireland and receive invitations and reports from the Irish Health Research Forum, please join our mailing list.
If you have a query that has not been answered here, please contact Linda@hrci.ie
