Annex 4: Summary of the Committee's Visit
to Belfast City Hospital and The Queen's University, Belfast
20th June 2000
BELFAST CITY HOSPITAL AND THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY
Northern Ireland is in a unique position within the
UK. The Northern Irish research community, including Belfast City
Hospital Trust, has close and growing cross-border partnerships
which have flourished under the peace process. International partnerships
also feature strongly. There is a special relationship between
the Hospital and the NCI in the United States which has been confirmed
by a memorandum of understanding between the UK and US Governments.
Meetings with Mr Quentin Coey, the Chief Executive
Officer of Belfast City Hospital Trust, Professor Patrick Johnston,
Director of the Research Centre and Professor of Haematology,
Professor Terry Lappin, Deputy Director of the Cancer Research
Centre and Professor of Haematology, Dr Seamus McAleer, Senior
Lecturer and Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Professor Stephen
Downes, Director of Cancer and Ageing Programme, University of
Ulster, Professor Ingrid Allen, Director, Research and Development
Office for Health and Personal Social Services in Northern Ireland,
Dr Anna Gavin, Director, Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and
others.
Topics discussed:
Cancer service development; cancer incidence in Northern
Ireland and demands on care services; the importance of partnerships
in research; The Northern Ireland Cancer Research Centre; clinical
trials and ethics committees; the Cancer Research Programme at
the University of Ulster; Recognised Research Groups; The Northern
Ireland Cancer Registry; relations with the National Cancer Institute
in the United States; barriers to translational research; barriers
to industry investment in cancer research; research culture.
The Committee also toured the Cancer Treatment
Centre and the Research Laboratories.
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