UCD Beacon Hospital Academy

Beacon Hospital is a teaching hospital and is partnered up with UCD to create the UCD Beacon Hospital Academy

The UCD Beacon Hospital Academy was launched in February 2015 by Minister Leo Varadkar and boasts the most comprehensive private training programmes in Ireland underpinned by excellence in scholarship and innovation in all aspects of healthcare provision and transformative management and leadership.

About The UCD Beacon Hospital Academy

  • Clinical Education Programmes

    UCD Beacon Hospital Academy provides clinical education and support to many UCD accredited academic programmes, from undergraduate degrees to postgraduate certificates, diplomas and masters. The hospital is a private University affiliate for clinical placements and not the principle site for training of UCD Health Science students. The principle sites for training of UCD Health Science students are St Vincent’s University Hospital and Mater Misericordia Hospital, together with other Voluntary and Statutory hospitals within the health system.

    Clinical placement opportunities are offered to students from the following schools:

    UCD School of Medicine

    UCD School of Nursing Midwifery and Health Science

    UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Performance Science

    UCD School of Psychology

    Non clinical placements opportunities are offered to students from the following school:

    UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business

    UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice 

    The training facilities are state of the art and the staff and students enjoy direct access to the latest equipment and technology.

    Each clinical placement is designed to complement the students learning in the public hospital systems and to provide opportunities for the students to build on their clinical skills and fully submerge their learning in emerging technologies and interdisciplinary teamwork.

    Our students are recognised as the agents of change in healthcare, capable of harnessing and absorbing technology in healthcare, roles models in their professional fields and champions for interdisciplinary team work.

  • Elective Student Placements - Summer 2023

    Students are invited to submit their interest for their summer elective placement at Beacon Hospital. Students are advised to contact [email protected] for further details.

    Placements for medical students will occur only in the 2023 summer period and the maximum length of placement duration will be three weeks.

    Please follow the below steps to ensure your placement can be facilitated at Beacon Hospital.

    • Register your interest with [email protected] and enquire if there is capacity for your placement in the hospital.
    • Once the UCD Beacon Hospital Academy has confirmed capacity, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the consultant in question and request their commitment to supervision of the year placement. The Academy will require written confirmation of this commitment.
    • If there is no formal agreement in place directly between Beacon Hospital and the student’s University you are required to submit the documentation listed below:
      • Formal University documentation requesting this placement and confirming the student’s enrolment in the course.
      • Documentation outlining the training completed to date – i.e. module outline of their degree pathway.
      • Documentation surrounding the learning objectives, competencies and curricula for the module of your study pertaining to this placement.
    • Documentary evidence of the following:
      – Up to date immunisation schedule as per University’s Occupational Health Policy
      – Current Garda Vetting Confirmation
      – The University’s Code of Professional Conduct when on placement policy
      – Contact Details for a University Lecturer attached to the degree that can be contacted if the need arises during a placement.
  • Executive Management Programmes

    The UCD Beacon Hospital Academy draw on the expertise of the wider UCD network and facilitate Beacon Hospital staff to undertake executive management and leadership courses.

    Beacon Hospital Lean Academy

    Using Lean and Six Sigma principles this programme aims to assess processes within the hospital system and work towards employing time and cost saving principles at every level of the organisation. To date we have supported over 350 staff members through the White Belt (Fundamentals) programme delivered by the Beacon Hospital Lean Academy team. 28 of our staff members have received the Green Belt (Professional Certificate) and 5 have earned or are working towards the Black Belt (Professional Diploma). We look forward to introducing this innovative programme to many more staff members over the coming months.

    Through the excellent work completed by the Green and Black teams, Beacon Hospital Lean Academy were delighted to have a number of publications included in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2021. This exciting endeavour will continue with current and future projects. Follow link to webpage here.

    • A Case Study of a Whole System Approach to Improvement in an Acute Hospital Setting
    • Operation Note Transformation: The Application of Lean Six Sigma to Improve the Process of Documenting the Operation Note in a Private Hospital Setting
    • Using Lean Six Sigma to Redesign the Supply Chain to the Operating Room Department of a Private Hospital to Reduce Associated Costs and Release Nursing Time to Care
    • Releasing Operating Room Nursing Time to Care through the Reduction of Surgical Case Preparation Time: A Lean Six Sigma Pilot Study
    • The Use of Lean Six Sigma for Improving Availability of and Access to Emergency Department Data to Facilitate Patient Flow
    • Redesigning the Process for Scheduling Elective Orthopaedic Surgery: A Combined Lean Six Sigma and Person-Centred Approach
    • Lean Six Sigma Redesign of a Process for Healthcare Mandatory Education in Basic Life Support—A Pilot Study
    • The Use of Lean Six Sigma Methodology in the Reduction of Patient Length of Stay Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery

     

    HCA Academy

    Enhanced Healthcare Assistant Training Programme

    A Lean Six Sigma Green belt project was conducted to review the HCA role. During this review process it was identified that HCA’s are a working group who are valued and respected like their Medical, Nursing, and Allied health professional colleagues and who wish to develop professionally as employees.

    Having identified this need, a learning needs analysis was performed. The data collected formed the basis to commence development of the programme. There is a total of 16 modules included, listed below:

    • IPC
    • Pain Management
    • Physio Class 1 – Falls Prevention
    • INEWS
    • ECGs
    • Blood Glucose/Diabetes
    • Point of Care Testing
    • Oxygen & Suction Checks
    • Physio Class 2 – Orthopaedics
    • Urology – Catheter Care
    • Patient Safety & Quality
    • Communication – ISBAR
    • Reflective Practice
    • Physio Class 3 – Spinal & High Risk Patients
    • Palliative Care
    • BEACH – Recognising the Deteriorating Patient

     

    To qualify for this programme a HCA must be in permanent employment and will have completed a QQI level 5 qualification in HCA skills or equivalent plus the QQI Activities of Living Patient Care module. The HCA must also be nominated by their manager.

  • Beacon Hospital Research Institute

    Innovation in Healthcare is built into our ethos and this can be readily seen by the hospital’s involvement in 2 of the largest European Connected Health projects to date – CHESS and CATCH.

    More information about these exciting projects can be found here about CHESS.

    UCD Beacon Hospital Academy innovation programmes have evolved to the establishment of Beacon Hospital Research Institute.

    Following on from the success of the CHESS and CATCH projects, Beacon Hospital aimed to expand its research portfolio by establishing the BHRI in 2019. The BHRI Director of Research is Consultant Cardiologist Professor David Burke. The Institute is governed by a Board of Directors and the key research areas comprise of Allied Health, Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Cardiology, Orthopaedics/Sports Medicine, Oncology/Radiotherapy, General Medicine and Surgical Services are each represented by a Specialist Research Director.

    More information about research in BHRI can be found here: www.bhri.ie

  • Faculty Membership

    Faculty Membership – Many of our Consultants have been recognised by the UCD School of Medicine for their outstanding contribution to research, innovation and student education in the UCD Beacon Hospital Academy.

    • Clinical Professor Kevin Walsh – Consultant Cardiologist
    • Clinical Professor Ray McDermott – Consultant Oncologist
    • Clinical Professor Michael M Stephens – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Clinical Professor David Burke – Consultant Cardiologist
    • Clinical Professor Jenny Westrup – Consultant Medical Oncologist
    • Assoc. Professor Brice Antao – Consultant in Paediatric Surgery
    • Assoc. Professor Peter Beddy – Consultant Radiologist
    • Assoc. Professor James Cashman – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Ruth Delaney – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Silvio Gligor – Consultant Anaesthetist
    • Assoc. Professor Margaret Griffin – Consultant Endocrinologist
    • Assoc. Professor Robert Hannon – Consultant General Colorectal Laparoscopic Surgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Oleg Ilyinski – Consultant in Anaesthesia/Pain Management
    • Assoc. Professor Robert Kelly – Consultant Cardiologist
    • Assoc. Professor Carla Moran – Consultant Endocrinologist
    • Assoc. Professor Seamus Morris – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Michael Murphy – Consultant Urologist
    • Assoc. Professor Paul Murphy – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Jabir Nagaria – Consultant Neurosurgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Maurice Neligan – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Brendan O’Daly – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Turlough O’ Donnell – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Assoc. Professor Matiur Rahaman – Consultant in General Internal Medicine
    • Assoc. Professor Shiobhan Weston – Consultant Gastroenterologist
    • Asst. Professor Kelvin Boos – Consultant Gynaecologist
    • Asst. Professor Paul Burns – Consultant ENT Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Fuan Chan – Consultant Plastic Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Danny Collins – Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine
    • Asst. Professor David Coghlan – Consultant Paediatrician
    • Asst. Professor Michael Egan – Consultant Anaesthetist
    • Asst. Professor Éilis Fitzgerald, Consultant Plastic & Aesthetic Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Stephen Frohlic – Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine
    • Asst. Professor Kambiz Golchin – Consultant ENT & Plastic Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Adnan Hafeez – Consultant General Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Reza Kalbassi – Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Wajid Khan – Consultant in Anaesthesia/Pain Management
    • Asst. Professor Seamus Linnane – Consultant in Respiratory & General Internal Medicine
    • Asst. Professor Tadgh Lynch – Consultant in Anaesthesia/Pain Management
    • Asst. Professor Jonathan Lyne – Consultant Cardiologist
    • Asst. Professor Michael Mara – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Dermot McCaffrey – Consultant Cardiologist
    • Asst. Professor Joseph McKeever – Consultant in Emergency Medicine
    • Asst. Professor Peter Meagher – Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Alina Mihai – Consultant Radiation Oncologist
    • Asst. Professor Orla Ni Mhuircheartaigh – Consultant Rheumatologist
    • Asst. Professor Sara O’Kelly – Consultant in General Practice
    • Asst. Professor Diarmuid O’Riordain – Consultant General & Robotic Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Deirdre O’Riordan – Consultant in Respiratory & General Internal Medicine
    • Asst. Professor Ashgar Qasim – Consultant Gastroenterologist
    • Asst. Professor Reem Salman – Consultant Breast /General Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Niall Sheehy – Consultant Radiologist
    • Asst. Professor Maher Shuhaiber – Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
    • Asst. Professor Mary Shuhaibar – Consultant Gastroenterologist
    • Asst. Professor James Slattery – Consultant Radiologist
    • Asst. Professor Karhtikeyan Srinivasan – Consultant Anaesthetist
    • Asst. Prof Miriam Fitzgerald – Consultant Dermatologist
    • Asst. Prof Fardod O’Kelly – Consultant Paediatric Surgeon
    • Asst. Prof Aftab Jan – Consultant Cardiologist
    • Asst. Prof Su Cheen Ng – Consultant Anaesthetist
    • Asst. Prof Kieran O’Driscoll – ENT Consultant
    • Asst. Prof Eddy Ferrufino Rivera – Consultant in Respiratory & General Internal Medicine
    • Asst. Prof Lisa Prior – Consultant Medical Oncologist

     

  • Patient Information

    We provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.

    In order to enhance our student experience, students may be present and partake in some of your care during your stay at Beacon Hospital. These students will be under the supervision of a staff member and this supervision with be in line with best practice guidelines as laid out by the respective universities and international accreditation bodies. The staff member will always ask you in advance, if you are comfortable for a student to present during any care intervention.

    Please be advised that you may be invited to give feedback on your experience with a student. If you do not wish to participate please inform the student tutor.

    Please let the reception staff know if you would prefer not to have a student involved in your care while at Beacon Hospital.

    Alternatively, please feel free to contact the UCD Beacon Hospital Academy directly and we can relay this message.

  • Student Information

    Academy Building: The Academy building is located at Suite 13-15 in the Orange Mall in Beacon Court.

    All seminars, tutorials and lectures will take place in this building. The Student library is also located at this facility. Virtual lectures will be offered in the event that numbers are large or if a need for social distancing is in place.

    Lockers: You will have access to a small locker while on clinical placement. These lockers require a lock and key to secure them. Please remember to bring in your own key and lock.

    Dress Code: Please follow your individual schools’ policy on appropriate dress code while on clinical placement. Please note uniforms must not be worn outside of the hospital.

    Transport: The hospital is easily accessible.

    • Bike: There is a bike rack available in the hospital main car park. The hospital accept no liability for any damage or theft of your bike while your bike is locked to this rack.
    • Luas: The Luas (green line) goes directly from St. Stephen’s Green to Sandyford. Beacon Hospital, Dublin is located in Sandyford, 10 minutes’ walk from the Kilmacud Luas station. On exiting the Luas at the Kilmacud station, take the lift/stairs and follow the pathway to the entrance of the station. Turn left here and you will see Beacon Hospital located at the top of the road at the crossroads (this is right beside the Beacon Hotel).
    • Bus: Beacon Hospital is serviced by the following bus routes:
      • No. 11 bus from Wadelai Park (via O’Connell Street). Alight at stop no. 4847 Blackthorn Drive, Luas Car Park
      • No. 75 bus from Tallaght/Dun Laoghaire. Alight at stop no. 449 Blackthorn Road, Corrig Road

     

    WiFi: There is Wi-Fi available in the hospital and this is free for all students to use. Students also have access to Eduroam in both the hospital and academy buildings. 

  • Key Staff

    Ailish Daly

    Ailish is the Director of Education, Innovation & Rehabilitation 

    A physiotherapist by profession, Ailish joined Beacon Hospital in 2008 with a special interest in client rehabilitation following serious illness. Ailish graduated from Manchester University in 1999 and gained physiotherapy experience in the NHS, in Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway before returning to Ireland in 2006 to take up a role in the HSE prior to joining Beacon. Since joining Beacon, Ailish has lead service innovations including launching oncology / lymphoedema out-patient physiotherapy service, supporting PHD physiotherapy candidates in researching the use of Sensor based technology in orthopaedic and oncology research. Ailish has also been involved in delivering undergraduate and post graduate teaching to physiotherapy and medical students. She is currently completing her MSc in Leadership, Innovation and Management for Healthcare.

     

    Kathryn Kane

    Kathryn is the Senior Administrator at UCD Beacon Hospital Academy. Kathryn has been an employee of Beacon Hospital for the past five years as an administrator and is very enthusiastic about the Academy and the numerous innovative projects it supports within the hospital. In one of these projects Kathryn played a central role in researching, developing and managing the newly established Healthcare Assistant Academy & its Enhanced Care Programme.

    Kathryn has a background in healthcare having run her own business and her passion for the industry has led her to Beacon where her skills and experience are widely utilised.

    In 2019 Kathryn received a Professional Certificate (Green Belt) in Lean Six Sigma Management from the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems and in 2022 completed a Professional Diploma in Project Management.

     

    Contact

    For further queries please contact: [email protected].

Contact: Chloe Griffin