The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has begun construction of a Clinical Research Delivery Unit at the Craigavon Area Hospital site entrance. The unit will support commercial clinical trials and provide local patients access to global randomised studies. It is due to open around September.

Professor Patricia Campbell, the Trust's Director for Research and Development, stated that the organisation conducts research in cardiovascular disease, renal medicine, respiratory care, stroke and diabetes. She said the Trust aims to raise awareness of trial opportunities so patients in the Southern Trust area can join early-phase studies.

A renal research site operates at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry. The Trust plans further growth of research access in the Newry and Mourne region.

Professor Campbell said the Trust seeks to make research more visible and accessible to local people. Dr Stephen Austin, Medical Director, noted that the initiatives fit the Trust's Vision and Strategy 2030 and give patients access to new treatments locally.