Thousands of patients help shape the future of care through vital research in the South Eastern Trust
During 2025, more than 2,700 patients took part in research studies across the South Eastern Trust, highlighting the vital role research plays in improving patient care and shaping future treatments across Health & Social Care in Northern Ireland.
Throughout this period, the Trust supported 87 open research studies, with 45 new studies opened over the course of the year.
These studies spanned a wide range of clinical areas including Cardiometabolic Services, Surgery, Women and Child Health, Cancer, Mental Health and Autoimmune and Inflammatory conditions, ensuring that research opportunities were available across many hospital settings.
In October 2025, a new Research Development & Innovation Centre was opened at the Ulster Hospital. This was a joint partnership between the Trust and Health and Social Care Research & Development (HSC R&D) following a significant £12.6 million VPAG investment in Northern Ireland research over the next five years.
Throughout 2025, patients participated in a wide range of research and clinical trials, contributing valuable insights that are helping to advance knowledge, improve services and support better health outcomes for current and future patients.
Patient satisfaction surveys revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback, with participants clearly motivated by the desire to help others and advance medical knowledge. 100% of patients said it was somewhat important or very important to help researchers learn new information about the conditions they treat, while 100 per cent also cited helping future patients with the same condition or disease as a key reason for taking part.
Patients also praised their experience of participating in research. 72% highlighted the professionalism and compassion of Research Teams.
Clinical Research Director and Consultant Cardiologist at the South Eastern Trust, Professor Patrick Donnelly, said: “Research is fundamental to improving patient care and the level of participation we have seen this year is truly encouraging.
"Our patients are not only willing to take part in research, but are actively motivated by the opportunity to help others and contribute to future advances in treatment. I would like to thank every patient and member of staff who made this possible.”
South Eastern Trust, Research Manager, Stephanie Kelly, added: “The positive feedback from patients is a real testament to the dedication of our Research Teams.”