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BAXTER
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION GIVES $200,000 TO SUPPORT A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN IRELAND'S WESTERN HEALTH BOARD AND THE ROYAL HOSPITALS TRUST IN
NORTHERN IRELAND
Partnership to
Increase Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care in Ireland
CASTLEBAR, Ireland,
July 8, 2002 -- The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic
arm of Baxter International Inc., has awarded a three-year, $200,000 grant
to support a strategic partnership between the Republic of Ireland's Western
Health Board and the Royal Hospitals Trust in Northern Ireland. Through
this partnership, the two health-care and social service providers will
leverage clinical expertise and resources to increase access to quality,
affordable health care. They will also promote cross-border initiatives
in support of the Good Friday Agreement, an agreement signed by all political
parties in Northern Ireland who are committed to peace and supported by
the Ireland and United Kingdom governments.
On the West Coast of Ireland, The Western Health Board provides health
care and social services to a population of about 350,000 people in Galway,
Mayo and Roscommon counties. The region is predominately rural and geographically
dispersed, but includes several urban areas, including Galway City, the
fastest growing city in Europe.
The Royal Hospitals Trust, serving communities in Northern Ireland, is
the country's largest health-care provider and is recognized as one of
the leading health-care providers in the United Kingdom. It serves a population
of more than 1 million people with nearly two-thirds living within 40
minutes of its 70-acre site in Belfast.
"We are much looking forward to the exchange of ideas between the
Royal Hospitals Trust and ourselves, but this partnership is even more
significant in that it permits us to be a part of history through an initiative
which brings together links between North and South -- two very diverse
communities on a small island who will have the opportunity now to appreciate
diversity while learning to work in harmony and partnership," said
Sheila Ryan, chief executive officer of the Western Health Board.
In announcing the launch of this partnership today at Mayo General Hospital
in Castlebar, the Western Health Board and Royal Hospitals Trust representatives
were joined by country and community leaders together with team members
from The Baxter International Foundation and from Baxter's Ireland Operations.
"Partnerships provide us with a way to make the best use of available
resources. At the Royal we, therefore, engage in partnerships with a range
of organizations and companies -- recognizing the joint benefits -- the
synergy -- that results from such arrangements. I have no doubt that many
good things will come from our new links forged here today," said
Dr. Paul McWilliams, chairman of the Royal Hospitals Trust.
In its first year, the partnership will facilitate staff exchanges in
the sharing of clinical approaches and training, establish networks on
patient treatment protocols and support other programs designed to increase
coordination in the delivery of health-care services. The organizations
will also consult on clinical cases to improve diagnosis and treatment
and identify opportunities for collaborative clinical research. Long term,
the partnership is expected to result in improved clinical outcomes, increased
patient satisfaction, enhanced cultural awareness, and will hopefully
serve as a model for programs in other countries.
"The partnership between the Western Health Board and Royal Hospitals
Trust supports The Baxter International Foundation's goal to increase
access to quality, affordable health care through sustainable health-care
initiatives," said Patricia Morgan, executive director of The Baxter
International Foundation. "By working together in the delivery of
health-care services and research, they will bring even greater value
to patients and communities across Ireland."
Since 1994, The Baxter International Foundation has awarded nearly $1
million to organizations in Ireland to support health-care programs and
services for children, families and the elderly.
As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International
Foundation helps to increase access to health care in the United States
and other countries. In 2001, foundation grants totaling $4.8 million
improved access to care for children, the uninsured and the elderly, helped
prevent child abuse and neglect, promoted health education, expanded education
opportunities for health-care providers, and helped victims of global
disasters.
Baxter International Inc. a global health care company that, through its
subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening
conditions. Baxter's Bioscience, Medication Delivery and Renal products
and services are used to treat patients with some of the most challenging
medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune deficiencies,
infectious diseases, kidney disease and trauma. Baxter employs more than
1,100 people in Ireland at its facilities in Belfast, Castlebar, Dublin
and Swinford.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
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- Media Contacts:
- John Caulfield, Baxter,
+353 94 29218
Tanya Tyska, Baxter, 847-948-3256
Miriam Stack, Western Health Board, +353 91 775474
Dympna Curley, Royal Hospitals Trust, 00 44 90894702
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