From left, Dr Maurice O’Kane, Western Trust Director for Research and Development; Deborah Glowski, Western Trust Renal Research Nurse; Billy Burke, Clinical Trials Participant; Mark Gibson, Western Trust Clinical Research Nurse and Steven Barr, Western Trust Cardiologist.
Members of the public are being encouraged to consider taking part in clinical trials by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust).\
Tomorrow (Tuesday) marks International Clinical Trials Day and the Trust is urging the public to find out more about clinical research.
Clinical trials and research in Health and Social Care are aimed at finding more effective ways to look after patients.
Evidence from trials is used to determine which treatments, drugs and therapies work best and to compare different approaches to preventing and treating illness.
The Weatern Trust has a large team of research staff – medical, nursing, pharmacy, laboratory – undertaking research in a range of disease areas and purpose built facilities at the Clinical Translational and Research and Innovation Centre [C-TRIC] on the Altnagelvin Hospital campus.
Dr Maurice O’Kane, Western Trust Director for Research and Development said clinical trials were essential for developing better tests and treatments for disease.
He added: “Patients who participate in clinical trials have an opportunity to access cutting edge developments.
“The Western Trust is strongly committed to clinical research and has an active research programme with around 120 studies ongoing at any one time and approximately 60 new studies starting every year.”
Dr O’Kane said he was keen that as many patients as possible should have the opportunity to take part in research studies.
He added: “Anyone who is interested should ask their doctor or nurse for more information.”
Every year thousands of people agree to become participants in research studies, contributing to advances in health care.
In recognition of the importance of promoting patient participation in clinical trials and involvement in research, an information stand will be available at Altnagelvin Hospital tomorrow for patients, members of the public, visitors and staff to find out more.
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