Nursing students can avail of clinical placements at a dialysis services specialist in Kilkenny thanks to a new Technology University of the Shannon (TUS) partnership.
Fresenius Medical Care signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University on Thursday, June 19th, cementing the new arrangement.
As a result students will gain vital experience at the Kilkenny branch of Fresenius working with patients with kidney issues who are in need of renal care and, in so doing, deepen their clinical knowledge.
In tandem, Fresenius Medical Care Kilkenny will benefit from the energy, skill and fresh perspectives of emerging healthcare professionals.
Beth Lodge, Director of Nursing at Fresenius said: “At Fresenius Medical Care we believe that the future of renal care lies in the hands of the next generation. This partnership with TUS reflects our deep commitment to nurturing talent, advancing education and ultimately improving the lives of people living with kidney disease. We are proud to support patients in the Kilkenny area for many years and we’re excited to mark this new chapter in local renal care. Together we’re building not just careers but a stronger, more compassionate future for patient care.”
While Fresenius is the leading provider of dialysis services in the UK, it also has other bases in Ireland as well as throughout Europe. Discussions are taking place with TUS regarding future collaborations at other sites too.
Anne Cooney, Clinical Allocations Manager, Department of Nursing and Healthcare, TUS, stated: “We are delighted to partner with Fresenius, enabling our nursing students to gain invaluable experience by working within the community and supporting patients in their daily lives. This collaboration aligns strongly with the principles of Sláintecare and enhances student learning in real-world, community-based settings.”
Dr Denise Blanchfield, Lecturer in the BSc (Hons) in General Nursing, said: “Population-based projections have identified significant increases in individuals requiring renal replacement therapy. In light of this, fostering collaboration between community-based services and academic providers is important as it enhances learner exposure to the therapeutic management of the diverse spectrum of renal disease and prepares the next generation of nurses.”
