Trinity Med Day is a charitable organisation run by medical students at Trinity College Dublin.
It would not be possible for students to learn without the generosity of Trinity's affiliated teaching hospitals and their patients. In recognition of this, hundreds of medical students take to the streets of Dublin on a November morning each year to say "Thank You!" and raise much needed funds for essential hospital services. This special day - ‘Med Day’ ends the run of a series of fundraising events throughout the year. In 2022, we crossed our most significant milestone yet - over €1,000,000 has been raised by MedDay since its inception. This year marks 25 years of MedDay and with your help, we intend to further MedDay's incredible cause well into the future and continue this fundraising success!
On the day itself, over 600 medical students come together on campus early in the morning, grab breakfast and don ‘Med Day’ T-shirts. Starting from 7am, they spread out to various locations around Dublin city with collection buckets; greeting pedestrians and asking for donations. This collection drive is supplemented by other fundraising activities such as sponsored sports, busking, bake sales, quizzes and raffles. All of the money raised from the day is used to fund worthy causes in our Trinity-affiliated hospitals.
Our beneficiaries for 2026 are as follows;
Mobile Memory and Assistive Technology Evaluation Suite for patients with dementia, cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative conditions, and physical frailty to maximise independence, safety, and quality of life - Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services
This is our major beneficiary, to which we have committed raising €20,000 for this year Dementia and memory-related conditions affect increasing numbers of individuals and families throughout Ireland. Many people wish to remain independent and continue living safely in their own homes for as long as possible. Evidence from the national MTRR programme demonstrates that assistive technology, memory strategies, and occupational therapy interventions can significantly support independence, safety, and wellbeing. Current demand exceeds available resources, limiting opportunities for assessment, demonstration of technologies, and community outreach. As part of this project, we would purchase a Tobii Dynavox eye-gaze device to support individuals living with progressive neurological conditions, certain cancers and other life limiting illnesses who experience progressive loss of speech and/or upper limb functional limitations. This technology would enable the individual to communicate independently and effectively with family members, carers, and healthcare professionals, thereby promoting autonomy in decision making and engagement in daily life. In addition to facilitating communication, the Tobii Dynavox system can be integrated with a range of environmental control technologies, enabling independent access to and control of nurse call systems, televisions, mobile phones, lighting, and automated door-opening systems. This can significantly reduce an individual's reliance on others for routine tasks and enhance their ability to manage their environment independently. For individuals with limited functional upper limb movement, eye-gaze technology provides an essential means of accessing computers and digital technologies using only eye movements. This allows independent internet browsing, email communication, social connection, access to information, and engagement in work, education, leisure, and other meaningful daily activities. An additional piece of novel technology we would purchase should we receive funding is an Obi Robotic feeding aid. Many patients within a palliative care setting lose the ability to independently self-feed due to either unilateral or bilateral upper limb weakness/loss of hand function and rely on family members or caregivers to support with all feeding. This innovative technology enables individuals to have control over their own pace, timing and method of eating, using simple switches as an adaptive access method to enable independence, dignity, and active participation in a fundamental daily activity.
Tibial Stimulation with Remedius External stimulator for Pelvic Pain in Endometriosis and related visceral pain conditions - Tallaght University Hospital
Chronic pain is common, and while chronic back pain which affects 41 in every 1000 people is well known, what is less widely known is chronic pelvic pain which can affect as many as 38 in every 1000 people. Neuromodulation therapy is the application of electrical stimulation over a nerve to produce a modification of the pain signal so that the patient experiences less chronic pain. The current service is established, but the equipment is on loan from the London Pain Clinic. This project aims to expand access to neuromodulation therapy with a device owned by the hospital, and also incorporating patient home units, allowing patients to continue the therapy at home, helping to alleviate chronic pain long-term.
Re‑Educating Nerves: A Sensory Toolkit for CIPN Rehabilitation - St. James’ Hospital
Chemotherapy‑Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common and distressing side‑effects of cancer treatment, particularly in patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy agents. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning pain, hypersensitivity, impaired balance, and reduced fine motor control. These sensory changes significantly impact daily functioning, independence, and quality of life. Within the cancer rehabilitation physiotherapy service at St James’s Hospital, CIPN has emerged as a major barrier to recovery during our ongoing rehabilitation needs analysis. Patients frequently report difficulty with walking, reduced confidence, challenges with tasks requiring hand dexterity, and distress related to altered sensation. This project will have a meaningful and immediate impact on haematology patients, staff, and the wider hospital community. This project will create a sensory rehabilitation box, with tools that help “wake up” and retrain nerves affected by treatment. Physiotherapists will use these items during sessions to help patients slowly rebuild sensation, reduce discomfort, and regain confidence in daily activities.
AIRVO 2 High Flow Therapy System for the Older Persons Long-Term Care Unit - Peamount Healthcare
The Older Persons Long-Term Care Unit at Peamount Healthcare cares for 50 residents with complex healthcare needs, including chronic respiratory disease, frailty and multiple comorbidities. While Peamount has specialist respiratory expertise, including Respiratory ANP and CNS support, 24-hour medical cover and consultant-led care, the Long-Term Care unit does not have a dedicated AIRVO 2 High Flow Therapy System. Lack of consistent access can result in residents being transferred to acute hospitals when they could otherwise be safely managed within Peamount Healthcare. The benefits of AIRVO therapy improve respiratory distress, prevent avoidable hospital transfers, enhance resident comfort, support end-of-life care and will enable many residents to remain within their familiar environment while receiving appropriate respiratory support.
Sound Proofing Psychology Therapy Rooms - St James’ Hospital
The Department of Psychological Medicine has experienced significant growth in recent years, it now employs ten psychologists with a further two posts approved for recruitment this year. This expansion has enabled the development of specialist psychology services for patients attending Neurology, Stroke, Narcolepsy, SIckle Cell Disease, Long Covid and Burns services. While staffing levels have increased, there remains a shortage of suitable clinical space where psychologists can provide confidential therapeutic interventions. The department recently secured two additional rooms for clinical use, however these rooms currently lack adequate soundproofing and therefore do not meet the standards required for the delivery of confidential psychological therapy. Soundproofing will ensure that patients can attend appointments in a private, safe and confidential environment which promotes trust, dignity and high-quality care. Staff will benefit from having appropriate clinical facilities in which to work, allowing them to deliver services efficiently and in accordance with professional standards.
Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access Simulation Trainer - St James’ Hospital
The IV Care Team at St James's Hospital was established to improve vascular access practice and reduce complications associated with peripheral intravenous catheters. Initially introduced as a pilot service, the team has expanded significantly in response to increasing demand and now provides a seven-day service supporting patients with difficult intravenous access across the hospital. The growing cohort of patients with difficult venous access and highlight the increasing need for ultrasound-guided vascular access capability within the organisation. Developing these skills within the IV Care Team would enable more patients to be managed directly, reducing reliance on other specialist services, improving timely access to intravenous medications and treatments, reducing repeated cannulation attempts and enhancing the overall patient experience.
Please help us at Med Day to say "thank you" to our amazing hospitals, their staff and their patients!
