RCSI and Vhi to study the impact of student-led community health clinics

Tuesday, 31 March 2026: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Vhi have entered into a new partnership to study the impact of student-led community health clinics. The research will examine the outcomes for patients, students and local communities.

The StEP (Student Engagement and Partnership) Health Research Partnership will focus on RCSI’s student led interprofessional community health clinic, which is the first-of-its-kind in Europe.   RCSI students from dentistry, medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy, supported by qualified health professionals, will work together to deliver health checks and clinics in partnership with RCSI Engage and local residents and community groups in Dublin city. These free clinics provide accessible healthcare services to local communities, while enabling students to participate meaningfully in person-centred care.

Vhi is the industry partner for the research evaluation, and the study will use anonymised information from the clinics to assess outcomes and inform future models of care and education. Access to preventative healthcare remains uneven, particularly for low-income and marginalised communities. By addressing this gap, these clinics respond directly to unmet healthcare needs, offering monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and other key health indicators in a community setting. Working collaboratively across professions and under the supervision of experienced clinicians, students gain invaluable hands-on experience in community-based care, while community partners benefit from integrated health support.

Dr Muirne Spooner, Deputy Dean of Interprofessionalism and Community Engaged Learning and academic lead of the StEP Health Research Partnership, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Vhi on this important research. Interprofessional student-led clinics have been shown to support learners in preparing for their work in clinical practice. We are looking forward to contributing to the understanding of the ways all stakeholders; learners, community partners, patients and faculty experience student-led clinics.”

Professor Tracy Robson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, welcomed the partnership, saying: “RCSI is proud to partner with Vhi on this important study. As Ireland’s only university entirely dedicated to medicine and health sciences, we believe in pioneering innovative community well- being collaboration opportunities that also give our students the best possible education. This project reinforces our commitment as the number one ranked university in the world for our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being by recognising that community partnerships benefit our students in offering meaningful clinical experience while supporting local residents in positive health behaviours.

Dr Lynda Keaveney, Group Healthcare Officer at Vhi said: “Vhi is partnering with RCSI to evaluate how student led clinics can improve access to prevention and community care. This work supports our focus on sustainable healthcare, putting people and planet at the heart of what we do, and will help guide future models of care that prevent illness and support people earlier and closer to home. This partnership will also help to develop future clinicians and builds on Vhi’s community partnerships. Advancing this work together reflects our shared dedication to healthcare innovation that delivers value across clinical, academic and community settings.”

RCSI’s interprofessional student-led community health clinics are supported by the RCSI Engage strategy which aims to enhance human health and education by building reciprocal partnerships between RCSI staff and students and our local and national communities.

ENDS

About RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is ranked first in the world for its contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2025. 

Founded in 1784 as the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with responsibility for training surgeons in Ireland, today RCSI is an innovative, not-for-profit, international university exclusively focused on driving improvements in human health worldwide through education, research and engagement.

RCSI is among the top 300 universities worldwide in the World University Rankings (2026) and has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education. 

In 2026, RCSI opened Humanarium, a new public exhibition space and café at the heart of RCSI, exploring healthy futures for all, at 118 St Stephen’s Green in Dublin city centre. Through a rolling programme of free exhibitions and events exploring health sciences and medical research, it is a place for everyone to join conversations about how to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Visit the RCSI Expert Directory to find the details of our experts across a range of healthcare issues and concerns. Recognising their responsibility to share their knowledge and discoveries to empower people with information that leads them to better health, these clinicians and researchers are willing to engage with the media in their area of expertise.

About Vhi

Vhi is Ireland’s leading health insurer and health services provider. Founded in 1957, Vhi provides access for its members to quality private healthcare through a range of insurance plans and services. Through Vhi Health & Wellbeing and the Vhi 360 Health Centres, members can access urgent care (walk in for minor illness and injury), diagnostics, paediatrics, health checks, Hospital@Home and specialist clinics. Vhi’s purpose is to help its members live longer, stronger, healthier lives.

4^th March 2026: Registration is now open for the 2026 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, the world’s largest all-female event of its kind. Now in its 44^th year, the 10km event will take place on Sunday 31^st May at 12:30pm, with close to 30,000 women expected to walk, jog or run through Dublin City Centre on the day.

Entrepreneur Aimee Connolly, broadcaster and presenter Katja Mia, health and fitness coach Nathalie Lennon and content creator Clóda Scanlon return this year as Vhi ambassadors, encouraging women of all fitness abilities to join them on the 31^st May for what promises to be an inspiring and uplifting day.

New Research Highlights the Benefits of Movement for Women’s Health

To mark this year’s launch, Vhi commissioned research with 500 female runners to highlight the positive impact of running and walking on women’s physical and mental wellbeing. Key findings reveal:

• 74% of women say walking or running improves their overall physical health.
• 73% say it boosts their mood; 53% say it helps manage stress and 68% cite mental health benefits as a key reason they run or walk.
• 64% say running or walking helps manage PMS or menstrual symptoms, but 74% say they have been prevented from exercising due to symptoms; 89% feel these symptoms impact their confidence when exercising.
• Among women who have given birth, 80% say running or walking supported their recovery.
• 77% believe signing up to a mass participation event would help them stay motivated and 82% say joining a community run group would help them reach their goals.

Support from Sign-Up to Start Line

With campaign theme “Because You Can,” Vhi is aiming to inspire women to take that first step, whichever way they choose to participate. The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon website now features an AI assistant to guide participants through registration, answer FAQs and provide instant event support.

Vhi members can continue to claim a refund on their entry fee via Snap & Send in the Vhi App, helping to make healthy choice that little bit easier. Participants will also have access to training plans for walkers, joggers and runners, plus healthy, nutritious recipes developed by Vhi ambassador Nathalie Lennon. These are all available at vhiwomensminimarathon.ie and on @VhiWMM social channels.

New for 2026, Nathalie Lennon will also host a Vhi Run Series; a three part programme with 3km, 5km and 8km running events to help women build their distance gradually across the 12-week campaign in a supportive community environment. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Participants can also access certified training and health tips from Vhi health experts on Vhi Verified at vhi.ie/blog.

Every participant will receive a Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon finishers medal and an official event t-shirt is available as an opt-in during registration. Early sign up is advised. Last year’s event sold out in record time.

Aimee Connolly, Vhi ambassador and entrepreneur said: “The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is such a powerful event and I’m proud to be a Vhi ambassador. It’s not about pace - it’s about participation, community and proving to yourself that you can do challenging things. That’s what ‘Because You Can’ means to me.”

David O’Leary, General Manager of the Women’s Mini Marathon, said: “After two unprecedented sell-outs, the excitement around this year’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is already building. We’re seeing an incredible running boom and a real cultural movement of women coming together to challenge themselves, support one another and build community.

Event day is an unforgettable celebration full of colour, music, laughter and pure joy, and we can’t wait to welcome tens of thousands of participants back for what promises to be the best start to summer. With the support of our fantastic sponsors, we’re ready to deliver another extraordinary event.”

Brighid Smyth, Head of Corporate Affairs in Vhi: ‘Vhi is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Women’s Mini Marathon and our commitment to supporting women’s health and wellbeing at every stage of life. The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is more than a race; it’s a powerful movement that brings women together in support of each other and their communities.

This year’s theme, ‘Because You Can,’ is about empowering women to take that first step, whatever that looks like for them. It has been fantastic to see so many young women taking part in recent years and making health and wellness a priority in their lives. Our latest research reinforces just how transformative movement can be - for physical health, confidence, motivation and overall mental wellbeing.”

Register now at: http://www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie

ENDS

28^th January 2026 - Vhi today announced that it will introduce an average price increase of 3% across its health insurance plans from 1^st March 2026. This adjustment is necessary to ensure that we continue to meet the healthcare needs of our members. The cost of delivering healthcare continues to rise as more people access essential healthcare services and the cost of providing those services increases. In 2025, Vhi saw private hospital claims costs rise by approximately 13% and the volume of private hospital claims increase by approximately 8% compared to 2024, reflecting the continued increase in demand and the higher cost of delivering care.

Increasing costs across the healthcare sector both in Ireland and internationally are being driven by factors such as medical inflation, an ageing population, and the introduction of new drugs, technologies, and procedures. We have seen an increase in the number of members accessing healthcare and this increased demand contributes to higher healthcare costs.

Mr Aaron Keogh, Managing Director, Vhi Insurance DAC said “Whilst the biggest contributors to overall claims costs continue to be cancer care, orthopaedic treatments, cardiac care, digestive conditions and psychiatric care, our members have access to healthcare in more ways than ever before, not only in hospitals but also through day care and ambulatory settings.”

He continued “The rising demand for healthcare and the increasing cost of delivering it mean that we must adjust our pricing accordingly. This enables us to maintain the high level of care our members expect and rely on from Vhi. We recognise that health insurance is a significant financial outlay for our members, so we will continue to provide a range of plans at different price points to suit differing needs and budgets.”

In 2025, Vhi delivered over half a million healthcare interactions through its own healthcare services, including urgent care, paediatrics, dermatology, radiology, physiotherapy, hospital at home and women’s health services. We also provided thousands of virtual consultations with GPs, physiotherapists, dieticians, and mental health professionals, ensuring convenient access to care.

Vhi is the only provider in the market that exists solely for the benefit of our members. Any profits made are reinvested to enhance Vhi members’ healthcare and services.

ENDS

Issued by:
Brighid Smyth / Niamh Walker
Vhi Group Services DAC
M: 086 8270905 / 086 608 6764
E: Brighid.smyth@vhi.ie / Niamh.walker@vhi.ie

Examples of Price Changes