The overall aim is to use this funding to run more clinical trials in the Mid-West, which will benefit patients in our Region.
We will increase the number of trials by expanding the partnerships between the Hospital, the University and the Community.
While we have opened trials in the areas of breast and lung cancer, we will now expand to colorectal, prostate and blood cancer treatments with newly appointed specialist consultants covering these areas. We will also test whether non-drug treatments such as exercise or lifestyle changes prevent cancer or improve patients’ recovery. We will provide training and education for new investigators looking to have a career in cancer clinical trials.
Our plan is to develop more patient-centred research, working with our Patient Council and leading experts in UL. We will invite patients to sit on project management teams and advise on all aspects of our projects. This will include review of trial protocols and advice on increasing participation in trials. In a study carried out in our region, we found a huge demand for reliable information about clinical trials in cancer from both patients and professionals. We will work with patients and healthcare professionals to understand how they would like to hear about our clinical trial findings.
We will test new technologies working with UL Computer researchers. This can lead to improved processes in the hospital that are safer and allow more efficient and accurate diagnoses. By studying cancer samples in the laboratory, new and more effective treatments can be developed.
Finally, we will create a website and use social media to share information widely. The team will also meet other experts and stay up to date by attending national and international meetings. This means we can tell our patients about other trials that may benefit them.
