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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Forms and Policies
Participant Information Leaflet
When you visit the hospital clinic or participate in a "Volunteer Biobank Drive" you will receive a Participant Information Leaflet which will explain about how we collect, store and manage your samples and personal information, and what research we do. You are free to take this form home with you.
When you agree to participate - in the hospital clinic or at a "Volunteer Biobank Drive" - you will receive an Informed Consent Form to sign. This consent form will go to the research laboratory where the Biobank is located to be stored with your samples and personal information.
Why are biobanks important for research?
This short brochure and video (3mins) will tell you all you need to know about how biobanks are managed and how they help research
Withdrawal from the Cancer Biobank
You can withdraw from the Cancer Biobank at any time. Your withdrawal will have no impact on your clinical care.
If you wish to withdraw, please contact us by post or email to request a participant withdrawal form, choosing one of the following options:
No further access: This means that the Cancer Biobank will not access your medical records any further, but will still have your consent to use the samples and data you already provided.
No further use: This means that samples you donated to the Cancer Biobank can no longer be used for research and will be destroyed along with your data. All remaining fixed tissue blocks will be retained in hospital pathology departments.
Your signed consent and withdrawal form will be kept as a record of your wishes.
Data Protection
Personal data relating to your participation in the Cancer Biobank will be processed under the University of Galway/Saolta Cancer MCAN Joint Data Controller Agreement. The Joint Controllers have conducted a Data Protection Impact Assessment DPIA202300027. This is a living document which is routinely updated by the Cancer Biobank management and data protection officers.
What personal data will be used and will my medical records be accessed?
By participating, you give the Cancer Biobank consent to collect and store identifiable information provided by your clinical team or your medical records, e.g. name, date of birth, address, board number, hospital number, consultant, procedure and specimen related details, family history, medical history, and lifestyle data.
What will happen to my personal data and who can access it?
Your data will be collected and stored in the Cancer Biobank and pathology databases and used only for cancer research. Only data that is needed for the cancer research project will be processed.
As a participant you will be given a unique identifier to pseudonymise your identity in the Cancer Biobank. Your data will not be completely anonymised as it is important to maintain a link between your samples and associated data. Your identifiable data will be stored indefinitely by the Cancer Biobank. Your pseudonymised data will be stored by relevant researchers for the duration of the research project and will be completely anonymised and/or destroyed upon project completion.
The Principal Investigator is the Data Controller for the research project using pseudonymised data. Your pseudonymised data may be analysed at the University of Galway or may be transferred to another research laboratory or statistician for additional analysis. If your data is transferred to researchers outside of the EU, appropriate GDPR compliant safeguards will be ensured, as per Article 45 of the EU Regulation 2016/679.
How can I be assured my data will be protected?
Your privacy is very important to us. We take many steps to make sure that we protect your confidentiality and keep your data safe.
Here are some examples of how we do this:
- The Cancer Biobank database is located on a secure HSE/Saolta server. Access to this server is restricted to Cancer Biobank personnel with approved user credentials. All data files containing your data are encrypted using password protection. Pseudonymisation ensures that your identity remains confidential.
- A joint Saolta/University of Galway Data Protection Impact Assessment DPIA202300027 was performed on data processing for the Cancer Biobank. A low level of risk was identified.
- The Cancer Biobank Data Controllers (Saolta Cancer MCAN and University of Galway) are bound by a professional code of secrecy in relation to your personal data. The Data Processors (University of Galway Cancer Biobank personnel), are bound by a Data Processing and Confidentiality agreement. Research teams are bound by a Cancer Biobank Data Protection Policy agreement. All authorised Cancer Biobank staff and research teams are trained in data protection law and data security.
What is the lawful basis to use my personal data?
We use your information (the data subject) for biobanking and cancer research. The legal basis is that processing is necessary for the purposes of scientific research that is in the public interest in the area of public health Articles 6(1)(e) and 9(2)(j) of GDPR. For more information, please see: GDPR Directive 95/46/ EC.
What are my data protection rights?
GDPR ensures that the rights of the individual are protected. For further details regarding your rights as a data subject, please see our CB011 Cancer Biobank Personal Data Privacy Statement. You may exercise these rights by contacting the following offices:
- Cancer Biobank: adminbiobank@universityofgalway.ie
- Data Protection Officer(s):
- Saolta Data Protection Officer: Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway ddpo.west@hse.ie +353 (091) 775373
- University of Galway Data Protection Officer: dataprotection@universityofgalway.ie
Under GDPR, if you are not satisfied with how your data is being processed, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Data Protection Commission:
- Data Protection Commissioner: Canal House, Station Road, Portarlington, Co. Laois. info@dataprotection.ie; +353 (0761) 104800; LoCall 1890 252231 www.dataprotection.ie
Researcher Forms
Accessing samples and data from the Cancer Biobank is a collaborative process between principal investigators. To enquire about working with the Cancer Biobank please contact the Biobank Committee at adminbiobank@universityofgalway.ie or a member of the academic-research staff in the Discipline Surgery.
Once approved to access the biobank, documents specific to your study will be made available to you.
