The Meath Foundation was founded in 1998 following the move of the Meath Hospital on the opening of Tallaght University Hospital (TUH). Since then, the Foundation has supported the development of TUH with a focus on better services, better care and better patient outcomes.
The Meath Hospital, which was founded in 1753 to provide Healthcare for the local community of Dublin’s Liberties, was Ireland’s first voluntary hospital funded entirely by voluntary subscriptions and donations from citizens. The hospital attracted some of Ireland’s most celebrated physicians and surgeons to become an internationally recognised Centre for the advancement of medical science.
The Meath Hospital had a strong ethos of community engagement. The Meath Foundation reflects this through a focus on supporting the development of healthcare provision that serves the changing needs of the community.
Advancing Healthcare Research
Since 2002 the Foundation has awarded over €5.7 million to support 134 research grant projects. Since 2017 we have awarded €525,000 to support 7 research fellowships.
Our Research funding is aimed at supporting:
- established researchers to help them to open up new channels of enquiry and explore areas based on their expertise and experience.
- those who are early career or new to research with the aim to build the base of research activity in Tallaght University Hospital.
Recognising and Promoting Excellence
The Meath Foundation recognises excellence by awarding medals and bursaries to colleagues at Tallaght University Hospital who have made an outstanding contribution in their area of expertise or to improving the delivery of a safer and better service to patients.
Educating Future Healthcare Leaders
The Meath Foundation understands the importance of education and professional development for those working in the Healthcare sector. Between 2013 and 2024 we have provided a total of €520,000 in funding to support staff development and education with a key focus on developing leadership.
Promoting and Improving Quality of Care and Delivery
Quality Improvement and Innovation is at the core of the Meath Foundation’s belief that today’s good practice can be improved to tomorrow’s better practice. The Foundation has committed around €1 million in funding since 2014 to promote and improve quality of care and delivery. The Meath Foundation provides opportunities for staff to pursue quality improvement and innovation projects arising from their knowledge of issues that directly impact the effectiveness of patient care and experience.
Promoting Better Health through the Arts
The Foundation recognises the benefits of Arts & Health for our patients, their families, hospital staff and the wider community. We have provided over €460,000 to support a creative arts and health programme specific to patient, staff and Healthcare department needs, that aims to improve the Hospital experience by making arts accessible to all.