WHSCT Research & DEVELOPMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AT WESTERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST
Research and development is an integral part of ensuring that health and social care services are of the highest quality and informed by the best available and up-to-date evidence. The population of the North West not only benefit in terms of health and wellbeing, but also from the wider economic prosperity that it brings ensuring that sufficient emphasis given to local needs and priorities.
There is a large body of evidence proving that research active hospitals with high levels of research participation in clinical trials and a strong research culture results in patients having more confidence in staff with better clinical outcomes compared to hospitals with low research activity. Furthermore wider access to research expands treatment options by providing novel treatments which would otherwise not be available.
The announcement of the City Growth Deal for Derry City and Strabane District Council brings the largest single regeneration investment ever seen in the region. One of the central themes in this is Life and Health Science a virtually recession proof industry exemplified by the activity during the recent Global Pandemic. The WHSCT as a partner has the responsibility to support this exciting opportunity which will drive economic growth, which in turn will drive job opportunities addressing the extremely high economic inactivity in the region.
The WHSCT will promote research and innovation as a core activity in health and social care provision, giving every member of staff and the patients/public the opportunity to influence, innovate and participate in research.
Western Health & Social Care Trust are currently actively involved in research in the following areas involving CTIMPs, non-CTIMPs, and other investigator-led studies within commercial, academic and public sectors:
- Cardiology
- Respiratory
- Obesity
- Rheumatology
- Renal
- Critical Care
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- Covid-19
- Mental Health
- Gynaecology
- Cancer: Breast, Lung,
Gastrointestinal, Prostate,
Radiotherapy, Haematology
- Cardiology
- Respiratory
- Obesity
- Rheumatology
- Renal
- Critical Care
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- Covid-19
- Mental Health
- Gynaecology
- Cancer: Breast, Lung,
Gastrointestinal, Prostate,
Radiotherapy, Haematology
If you are interested in taking part, please contact: research.office@westerntrust.hscni.net
The Research Office: 02871611156 The Research Nurses Office: 02871611294
If you are interested in taking part, please contact: research.office@westerntrust.hscni.net
The Research Office: 02871611156
The Research Nurses Office: 02871611294
WHSCT Research and Development Team
MANAGEMENT
Prof. Aaron Peace
Director of Research and Development
Diane Mackey
Research Manager
Vanessa Quinn, PhD
Clinical Programme Engagement Manager
Caitríona Lavery
Research Nurse Manager
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATORS
Kevin Bonner
Clinical Research Coordinator
Ryan Campbell
Research Nurse
Donal Concannon
Research Nurse
Tracy Donaghy
Research Nurse
Kathryn Ferguson
Clinical Research Physiotherapist
Gosia Geslak
Research Nurse
Mark Gibson
Research Nurse
Deborah Glowski
Research Nurse
Valerie Mortland
Research Nurse
Sinéad O'Kane
Research Nurse
Dawn Small
Research Nurse
Study Support Officers
Sandra McCrea
Study Support Officer
Peter O'Donnell
Study Support Officer
Hazel Thompson
Study Support Officer
Governance Team
Sharon Guille
Research Facilitator
Paulette Higgenbotham
Research Administrator
Peter O'Donnell
Research Administrator
Latest News
WHSCT Research & Development Studies
The Western Trust Research and Development team at C-TRIC are delighted to be taking part in SIREN study. This study was established early in the pandemic which involved approximately 135 sites and almost 45,000 healthcare workers participants undergoing regular COVID-19 PCR swab testing and COVID-19 blood antibody testing for up to 2 years making SIREN the largest study of its kind globally running in partnership with the PHA. Analysis of these samples helps the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to evaluate the immune response to COVID-19, build understanding of the protection offered by vaccines and provide insight into COVID-19 reinfections.
The SIREN study has provided valuable evidence on immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 vaccination, and provided surveillance data on infection and emerging variants. This evidence has played a critical role in informing the national COVID-19 response.
The Western Health and Social Care Trust Research and Development team at C-TRIC are delighted to be involved in an exciting Cardiovascular study known as “Lp(a) HORIZON”, which investigates a possible new treatment for elevated Lp(a) in Cardio Vascular Disease in collaboration with Novartis Pharma AG.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of TQJ230 in reducing cardiovascular risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with established cardiovascular disease and elevated Lp(a) when compared to placebo and looks at investigating a possible new treatment for people with established diseases of the heart, blood vessels (Cardiovascular disease) and raised Lp(a).
The North West Cancer Centre and Research and Development team are delighted to have commenced an exciting new Breast Cancer Study “Keynote B-49” in collaboration with pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Despite an overall better prognosis in the early stage setting as compared with other breast cancer subtypes, HR+/HER2- breast cancer still accounts for a majority of all metastatic cases.
The Research Gateway Team support and facilitate research activity in Northern Ireland. The service is a regional resource funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) R&D Division and hosted by the Western Trust.
WHSCT, Research and Development team, Dr Adrian Donnelly Principle Investigator and Sinead O’Kane, Research Nurse has just opened a study known as “UK ROX”.
The purpose of this study is to look at the effect of a small reduction in how much oxygen we give as many people who come into intensive care need extra oxygen to help support their breathing. This is one of the most common treatments given to patients in intensive care. Extremely high and extremely low oxygen levels can cause damage to our bodies. The benefits and risks of giving slightly less oxygen are unclear at this time, which is why this research is needed.
C-TRIC and WHSCT Research and Development are delighted to welcome two new Consultants, Dr Conor O’Neill and Dr Gerges Demian to the North West Cancer Centre who will be actively involved in cancer research studies.
October is known as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and is an opportunity to spread awareness about one of the leading causes of death mainly among women.
WHSCT Research and Development and The North West Cancer Centre have a team dedicated to innovative research, surgical options and clinical trials which give women many more options looking at all aspects of breast cancer and ways to improve tests, treatments along with coping with symptoms and side effects.
Breast cancer is most commonly a disease that affects women, breast cancer can also occur in men.
Below are some of the Research Breast Cancer Team at North West Cancer Centre.
The Research and Development Team would like to say well done to Dr John McGoran who presented “Delta Study” at USG conference (Ulster society of Gastroenterology) held in Europa hotel 19th Oct 2022.
Research and Development team would like to congratulate Donal Concannon who has completed “Train the Trainer” and who has been training the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Research Nurse on “The Delta Study”.
The state of the art cross border North West Cancer Centre is also based at Altnagelvin area hospital and has been a well-established site for delivering systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT) and is in a privileged position to enable a catchment area for residents to avail of both Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Services closer to home. The cancer centre also facilitates CTIMP research studies for the health and improvement of better care and treatment for cancer patients.
