The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has announced a significant partnership with B. Braun Avium Ireland (Wellstone Clinic) following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership marks a major development in healthcare education, enabling TUS nursing students to gain valuable clinical experience at B. Braun’s state-of-the-art renal care facilities in Portlaoise.
Speaking at the signing event, TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are proud to be partnering with B. Braun Avium Ireland in what marks a significant step forward for both healthcare education and clinical practice in the region. This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to providing students with hands-on, real-world experience, but it also aligns with our mission to shape graduates who are ready to meet the demands of a dynamic healthcare landscape. By working closely with leaders like B. Braun, we ensure that our students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver the highest standards of patient care in Ireland and beyond.”
The partnership with B. Braun, a global leader in renal care, will see nursing students from TUS gaining clinical placements at the B. Braun Wellstone Midlands Renal Care Centre in Portlaoise. This clinic, operational since 2019, offers advanced dialysis care and follows a patient-centred shared care model, providing students with an immersive experience in community healthcare settings.
Dr. Des Cawley, Head of the Department of Nursing and Healthcare at TUS, noted the importance of this collaboration for the university’s nursing programmes. “This partnership provides our nursing students with the critical opportunity to broaden their clinical experience in community settings, ensuring they are fully prepared to deliver high-quality patient care in a variety of healthcare environments. The hands-on training and exposure to different healthcare settings will make our students more adaptable and better equipped for the challenges of modern healthcare.”
Supporting Healthcare Workforce Development
This MOU also aligns with national policy initiatives such as Health Workforce Planning Towards 2032, which aims to address Ireland’s growing demand for competent healthcare professionals. The collaboration between TUS and B. Braun will provide students with opportunities to learn from experienced healthcare professionals while also supporting Ireland’s health workforce needs.
B. Braun Medical, a subsidiary of the international B. Braun-Group, operates over 360 renal care centres worldwide. In Ireland, the company has been delivering world-class dialysis care for over 15 years, serving more than 180 patients across its Galway, Wexford, and Portlaoise clinics. These clinics provide essential services for patients with advanced or end-stage kidney disease, and the new partnership with TUS offers nursing students an opportunity to engage with some of the most advanced renal care facilities in the country.
History of Nursing Education at TUS
For over 25 years, the Department of Nursing and Healthcare at TUS has been a leader in nursing education, offering degree programmes in General Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. This partnership with B. Braun represents the department’s ongoing commitment to expanding clinical placement opportunities in both public and private healthcare sectors.
The MOU was signed at TUS’s Athlone Campus on October 1st, with representatives from both B. Braun Avium and TUS in attendance, including Mr. Liam Ferguson (Managing Director, B. Braun Medical and B. Braun Avitum Ireland), Mr. Gerard Farrell (Clinic Manager), Ms. Cathy Gleeson (Renal Business Lead), and key university staff members such as Dr. Don Faller (Dean of the Faculty of Science) and Ms. Denise Doolan (Academic Team).