{"id":12616,"date":"2025-06-25T14:43:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T14:43:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/?p=12616"},"modified":"2025-06-30T07:32:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T07:32:40","slug":"working-together-for-change-clinical-trials-transforming-diabetes-care-across-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/chronic-conditions\/working-together-for-change-clinical-trials-transforming-diabetes-care-across-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"Working together for change: clinical trials transforming diabetes care across Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-12635\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26084720\/vicky-1750927639-SharonConway.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26084720\/vicky-1750927639-SharonConway.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26084720\/vicky-1750927639-SharonConway-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Sharon Conway<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Programme Manager, <br\/>Diabetes Collaborative <br\/>Clinical Trial Network<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-12636\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26084901\/vicky-1750927740-ChrsitineNewman.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26084901\/vicky-1750927740-ChrsitineNewman.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26084901\/vicky-1750927740-ChrsitineNewman-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Dr Christine Newman<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Consultant Endocrinologist, <br\/>University Hospital Galway <br\/>&amp; Clinical Lecturer, <br\/>University of Galway<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-11037\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/03\/07205907\/ProfFidelmaHiggins-9928-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/03\/07205907\/ProfFidelmaHiggins-9928-1.jpg 250w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/03\/07205907\/ProfFidelmaHiggins-9928-1-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\"><strong>Professor Fidelma Dunne\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Director, Institute for Clinical Trials, University of Galway<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-12637\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26085214\/vicky-1750927934-SeamusSreenan.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26085214\/vicky-1750927934-SeamusSreenan.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/26085214\/vicky-1750927934-SeamusSreenan-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\"><strong>Professor Seamus Sreenan\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Consultant Endocrinologist, Connolly Hospital, Dublin\u00a0<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Diabetes poses a significant public health challenge in Ireland, with many cases undiagnosed and limited data available. Tackling it requires coordinated action, quality care and robust research to guide clinical decisions and reduce societal and economic impacts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Christine Newman, Consultant Endocrinologist at University Hospital Galway, explains: \u201cWith the right infrastructure, partnerships and vision, Ireland can lead in diabetes research.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-collaborative-diabetes-research-network\"><strong>Collaborative diabetes research network<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Centred at the University of Galway and funded by the Health Research Board, the <a href=\"https:\/\/diabetestrialsctn.ie\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network<\/a> (DC-CTN) is a national research network with members from across the island, positioned to facilitate change through research. Seamus Sreenan, consultant in diabetes at Connolly Hospital, Dublin, comments: \u201cThe network aims to bring healthcare professionals and key stakeholders from all backgrounds together, all committed to enhancing understanding and treatment of diabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bringing together a national alliance of clinical sites, research facilities, public and patient involvement, industry partners, international collaborators and patient organisations, the network aims to drive meaningful change. Sharon Conway, Network Programme Manager, says: \u201cWe are creating a cohesive, strategic response to a growing public health crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past three years, the DC-CTN has supported academic and industry trials in type 1 (D1 Now), type 2 (REDEFINE 2, REDEFINE 3, SYNCHRONISE) and gestational diabetes (GDM) (EMERGE), plus feasibility studies in new community care hubs. \u201cThe EMERGE trial has shown that treatment of gestational diabetes with metformin alongside usual care is a safe and effective alternative treatment with benefits to both expectant mother and infant,&#8221;&nbsp;reports Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials, University of Galway, with a follow-up study currently underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Christine, study participant, says: \u201cThe opportunity to contribute to advancing care for expectant mothers with type 1 diabetes makes the experience deeply rewarding.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By offering a single point of contact for sponsors and researchers, the network <a href=\"https:\/\/diabetestrialsctn.ie\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">streamlines clinical trial activities<\/a> \u2014 enhancing coordination, accelerating timelines and ensuring high-quality, ethical and robust trial design. By aligning research to the national diabetes clinical care programme, the network facilitates rapid translation of research findings into real-world clinical practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We are future-proofing the next <br>generation of researchers by giving <br>them practical hands-on experience <br>and real-world training.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-public-and-patient-involvement-ppi\"><strong>Public and patient involvement (PPI)<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People living with diabetes and supporting charities are shaping research through the DC-CTN, <a href=\"https:\/\/diabetestrialsctn.ie\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">improving how diabetes research<\/a> is designed and delivered. \u201cPublic and patient involvement helps us to not only ask the right research questions, but answer them in ways that truly benefit people living with diabetes,\u201d explains Newman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A recent study with the James Lind Alliance identified the top 10 research priorities for the type 1 diabetes community. \u201cThis research acts as a real roadmap to guide our efforts and conduct research in areas that matter most to people living with type 1 diabetes,\u201d says Newman.<s><\/s><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With strong community links, the network is urging involvement from people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to get involved. \u201cIf clinical trials only include a narrow group, then findings are only relevant to that group,\u201d says Conway. \u201cWe are helping to remove barriers not just to trial participation, but all PPI involvement, whether financial, cultural or logistical, so no one is excluded from advancing diabetes care,\u201d Newman adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-nurturing-the-next-generation\"><strong>Nurturing the next generation<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Through its educational remit, the network supports students and early researchers with robust infrastructure, mentorship and expertise \u2014 bridging academia and real-world impact. \u201cWe are future-proofing the next generation of researchers by giving them practical hands-on experience and real-world training,\u201d says Newman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Initiatives like the summer research bursaries for students and Master\u2019s scholarships, funded by industry partners and national bodies, are opening doors for researchers at all stages of their careers to help advance diabetes care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-benefits-to-both-patient-care-and-industry\"><strong>Benefits to both patient care and industry<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The network is also creating a stronger research environment that is more attractive for industry sponsors and delivering scientifically significant trials. \u201cThe network is open for business, innovation, collaboration and clinical discovery, making an impact not just in Galway but across the whole of Ireland,\u201d says Conway. \u201cBy working together, we can bring world-leading innovation home and improve the lives of people living with diabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"color:#32373c;background-color:#ad40ac\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-notice ab-font-size-18 ab-block-notice\" data-id=\"5e5432\"><div class=\"ab-notice-text\" style=\"border-color:#ad40ac\"><p>To find out more: <a href=\"https:\/\/diabetestrialsctn.ie\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/diabetestrialsctn.ie\/about\/<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a id=\"_msocom_1\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Diabetes poses a significant public health challenge in Ireland, with many cases undiagnosed and limited data available. Tackling it requires coordinated action, quality care and robust research to guide clinical decisions and reduce societal and economic impacts. Dr Christine Newman, Consultant Endocrinologist at University Hospital Galway, explains: \u201cWith the right infrastructure, partnerships and vision, Ireland &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/chronic-conditions\/working-together-for-change-clinical-trials-transforming-diabetes-care-across-ireland\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":12617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5977],"tags":[5978],"class_list":["post-12616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chronic-conditions","tag-chronic-conditions-2025"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/25144149\/vicky-1750862508-AdobeStock_1340686922-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/06\/25144149\/vicky-1750862508-AdobeStock_1340686922-600x600.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"henryphillips","author_link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/author\/henryphillips\/"},"vicky_index_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12616"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12643,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12616\/revisions\/12643"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}