The NI Clinical Research Network (NICRN) undertakes Gastrointestinal (GI) research throughout Northern Ireland. The NICRN is part of a UK-wide initiative to provide opportunities for patients and clinicians to participate in high-quality clinical research.
The NICRN aims to:
- Promote GI research within Northern Ireland;
- Attract clinical trials in GI disease to Northern Ireland;
- Conduct clinical trials across Northern Ireland to the highest standards of quality and safety;
- Provide infrastructure to facilitate the start-up of new trials in GI;
- Improve access for GI patients to new cutting-edge treatments.
Areas of interest include the following:
- Providing access to novel therapies through partnership with the commercial sector.
- Evaluation of novel diagnostic tools in GI medicine.
Dr Patrick Allen
Gastrointestinal – Clinical Lead
I am a Consultant Gastroenterologist working at Ulster Hospital, South Eastern trust and have been a consultant since 2010. I previously trained at St Vincent’s Melbourne (tertiary referral centre), in therapeutic endoscopy and IBD and was involved in over 15 clinical trials during my fellowship.
I lead a GI research team in Gastroenterology- where we deliver phase 2/3 trials as well as being NI lead for multicentre studies such as ELEVATE UC, PREDICT and ICARE. I have also been the Chief Investigator for a UK and Ireland Real World Evaluation of a new oral drug for Ulcerative Colitis and took on the role of Chief Investigator for the UK in a global Phase 2 Ulcerative Colitis trial.
I have actively participated in clinical research and have been overseeing and recruiting to over 10 current projects in our GI department. I am a member of various societies including BSG, ISG, ECCO and AGA. I was previously elected chair for the 4 Nations at the BSG and am on the BSG IBD committee. I have been chair (formerly co-chair) of the NI GI research network since 2016.
Contact email: patrick.allen@setrust.hscni.net
VACANT
Gastrointestinal – Clinical Lead