HSC Northern Ireland CRDC

The Northern Ireland CRDC encompasses a variety of research delivery and support infrastructure working together across NI, allowing a "One NI" approach to delivery of commercial trials. Clinical research takes place across all Trusts and Primary Care and the VPAG Investment Programme has allowed Northern Ireland to create dedicated resource for efficient end-to-end delivery of commercial trials. 

Patients - Northern Ireland has a population of 1.9 million and the roll-out of the EPIC software platform in 2025 means there is a digital integrated health and social care record for all patients.  Our small geographical size and population, enables close links between clinicians, patients and the community which is instrumental in accelerating patient identification and recruitment for trials.   

Infrastructure and Services - Our highly skilled workforce are experienced in running trials across primary and secondary care and they have access to cutting edge clinical research facilities and infrastructure including (but not limited to):

·       Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility (NICRF) 

·       The Northern Ireland Cancer Trials Network (NICTN) 

·       Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN)

·       SEHSCT Clinical Trial Centre based at the Ulster Hospital

·       SHSCT Clinical Research Delivery Unit located at the Craigavon Area Hospital due to launch in September 2026

·       Mobile Clinical Trial Vehicle due to launch in September 2026