Clinical Trials are the cornerstone of medical progress; they are the only means by which we can quantify the unbiased attributable risks and benefits of clinical interventions. They are by-definition complex, highly-regulated and require substantial specialized resources. Since 2012, the HRB and UCC have co-funded the CRF-UCC in order to help researchers, clinicians and patients to collaborate in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of clinical trials using best international practices. Between 2017-2020 we supported 154 trials and led Ireland’s first national Department of Health sponsored Regulated Trial examining Covid-19 treatments. The current proposal will build on these strong foundations and resource us to: Develop the capacity to see participants in their homes or in a convenient community setting, thereby avoid using the hospital and allowing us to recruit a broader range of the public and anticipate future community research opportunities created by the Sláintecare programme, (https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/slaintecare-implementation-strategy/). Expand our services to University Hospital Waterford; Establish (2023) a new centralized 575m2 research hub in CUH at the current Oral Health Services Research Centre Building; Build robust capabilities in Public and Patient Involvement, Data Management, and Health Economics; Upskill some of our highly trained research nurses by developing a bespoke Research Nurse-Manager Academy to better empower them to manage academic trials and support clinicians; Improve our efficiency of study conduct by ‘Quality, On Time & To Target’ service delivery, and demonstrable Quality Assurance by obtaining ISO9001 certification. Prioritize our supports on well-defined core partners and on developing Academic trials, focusing on less expensive pilot studies that are integrated into clinical care, our ‘Affordable Pilot Trials’ initiative.
With the continued support of the HRB, University and Hospital Group, these enhanced capabilities will allow us to deliver impactful Clinical Trials to the ultimate benefit of our patients.
