§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to strengthen existing links and priorities in medical research in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement about additional resources for the Province in this field.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 22 January 1990]: The integration of the hospital, community health and primary care services, together with the personal services, in a unified management structure in Northern Ireland gives the Province a considerable advantage in identifying research opportunities in both the clinical and operation fields which reflect its particular needs.
The research programme of the DHSS in Northern Ireland is undertaken principally through three separate organisations whose activities are co-ordinated through common research priorities and an overlap in membership. Central direction and funding of clinical and operation research is secured primarily through the department research group (DRG). This considers research proposals in the context of the Department's priorities, which are selected having regard to national priorities. Secondly, the Department also provides direct funding for a core programme of research undertaken by the recently established health and health care research unit (HHCRU) located in the faculty of medicine of the Queen's university of Belfast. The membership of the unit's programme of work is drawn from the health and social service boards as well as the university medical faculty and the Department. The third element of the Department's research programme is the support of local
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1987–88 1988–891 Full-time Part-time FTE2 Full-time Part-time FTE2 St. Mary's College3 4 5 635 292 n.a. 692 450 n.a. Stranmillis College4 5 636 153 n.a. 663 246 n.a. The Queen's University of Belfast 7,537 1,696 7,908 7,680 1,690 8,086 research undertaken on its behalf by the clinical research awards advisory committee (CRAAC). This committee is made up of senior clinicians with research backgrounds together with departmental, university and board representatives. The committee considers applications for grants for research projects in the clinical field against priorities determined locally.
The Government intend to strengthen existing links with the services through regular discussions with boards on research priorities. These priorities will then provide the content for the commissioning of research by the DRG, HHCRU and CRAAC. This initiative will strengthen existing arrangements for the identification and funding of research projects in both the clinical and operational fields. Currently available resources are considered adequate For the Province in this field.