‘Inspirational leader’ remembered at INS meeting

The late Prof Donal O’Donoghue was remembered as an inspirational leader in UK renal medicine at the Irish Nephrology Society’s (INS) Winter Scientific Meeting.

Prof Phil Kalra, Consultant Nephrologist and Professor of Nephrology, University of Manchester, spoke at the meeting on ‘Building careers together through academic advancement’.

During his talk, Prof Kalra described the late Prof O’Donoghue, who passed away in 2021, as a great friend and colleague.

Born in Cork, Prof O’Donoghue studied medicine at the University of Manchester and graduated in 1980. In 1992, he was appointed as a Consultant Renal Physician at Hope Hospital, now Salford Royal Hospital. Later in his career, he was named Honorary Chair of Renal Medicine at the University of Manchester.

Prof Kalra said that Prof O’Donoghue also made many friendships with colleagues working in Ireland.

In 2006, Prof O’Donoghue was appointed to a highly influential role as the first National Director of Kidney Care at the UK’s Department of Health. He helped change the lives of kidney patients for the better and this post became his raison d’etre, the meeting heard.

“He was instrumental in bringing eGFR into the UK,” Prof Kalra said. “He helped get it into all our labs very quickly.”

Between 2006 and 2013, Prof O’Donoghue led the implementation of the Renal National Framework and served as President of the Renal Association from 2016 to 2018. He was awarded an OBE for services to kidney patients in 2018. The Donal O’Donoghue Renal Research Centre in Salford is named in his honour.

Elsewhere in his talk, Prof Kalra encouraged entrants to the specialty to engage in research early in their careers and to consider undertaking a PhD.

He said a number of steps can be taken to develop research in the nephrology department. He said developing a culture of encouragement was one of the most important actions.

[Prof O’Donoghue] was instrumental in bringing eGFR into the UK.
He helped get it into all our labs very quickly

“For those who want to develop, there are no blocks. If they show enthusiasm, you can do it. That is the line I have always tried to take,” he said. “Appoint research- and innovation-interested colleagues and try to find them some research time.”

He also recommended engagement with clinical trials activity, as this helped researchers become known nationally and internationally.

“And commercial studies bring in funding as well, so it allows people to develop,” he continued.

“Success is dependent on harmonious working between clinical management and the research team,” added Prof Kalra.

During a questions and answers session, Prof Peter Conlon, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, highlighted that the INS has a research and ethics committee, which he chairs. He said there was a need for the specialty to become involved in more clinical trials.

“Anyone who wants to join our committee is welcome and we should set up a subcommittee [for] clinical trials,” he said. “Many hospitals around Europe set as a goal that 10 per cent, or some percentage of the patients that come into the hospital, are involved in clinical trials.”

Prof Kalra noted that hospitals that engaged in research tended to have better outcomes for patients. “It is a way of retaining good quality colleagues in your unit,” he said. A national trials network would be an important aspect of this work. He also advised colleagues not “to close the door on pharma” in terms of funding.