Nurses and midwives share research ideas focused on improving care, services and patient outcomes.
Thirteen nurses and midwives working across healthcare services in the South East have showcased research ideas aimed at improving patient safety, access to services and quality of care at the MENTORR 2026 event at South East Technological University (SETU).
SETU and HSE Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit (NMPDU) Dublin and South East hosted the research and evidence-based practice event at the Cork Road Campus recently.
The theme, From Inquiry to Impact: building research capacity, advancing practice and improving patient outcomes, reflected the event’s focus on supporting nurses and midwives to use research to address challenges arising in clinical practice.
The programme opened with an address on investing in people and improving care, followed by a keynote from Dr Glenn Doherty, Director of Research for HSE Dublin and South East. His presentation explored how research, ethics and clinical leadership can support better patient care.
Participants from the 2024 and 2025 MENTORR programmes shared examples of research moving into practice. Their presentations focused on building research capacity in a memory clinic and reducing health inequalities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Supporting emerging researchers
The event showcased the work of 13 emerging researchers from acute, community, rehabilitation, older-person and specialist services. Their projects addressed patient safety, communication, care transitions, digital health, access to services and service efficiency.
Research ideas included ultrasound-guided intravenous access, safer opioid prescribing, telehealth for lipid management, medication reminder applications following stroke, structured discharge information and support for families during the transition to residential dementia care.
MENTORR combines protected learning and practical research development with facilitated, peer-based mentorship. Participants support and learn from one another as they develop a question from practice into an evidence-informed proposal, abstract, poster and research pitch.
MENTORR creates a supportive space where nurses and midwives can learn with and from their peers. Through SETU’s academic support and our partnership with HSE NMPDU Dublin and South East, participants can build the skills and confidence to turn clinical questions into research ideas with the potential to improve care.
Tracey Dermody Postgraduate Research Support Officer at SETU
Building a research-active workforce
The event also included a poster showcase, networking, programme updates and a featured address on empowering nurses, midwives and advanced practitioners through research, leadership and innovation. It concluded with a discussion on building a research-active workforce, participant recognition and awards.
MENTORR’s impact extends beyond individual presentations. The programme is building a regional community of practice, developing local research champions and strengthening links between clinical services and higher education. It also provides a foundation for further research, postgraduate study and emerging clinical-academic career pathways.
Working with its healthcare partners, SETU is helping clinicians connect research with the needs of patients, services and communities across the region.
The quality and range of the participants’ work show the value of supporting research that begins in clinical practice. Our next step is to develop clear routes that help emerging researchers progress their ideas and continue contributing to evidence-based care.
Charmaine Scallan NMPDU HSE Dublin and South East
Nurses and midwives interested in developing a practice-based research idea are encouraged to look out for future MENTORR application opportunities through SETU and HSE NMPDU Dublin and South East.