The NI Clinical Research Network (NICRN) undertakes Stroke 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 Stroke Group undertakes research across the breadth of stroke medicine across Northern Ireland. Our aim is to include all aspects of the stroke care pathway, from hyperacute revascularisation therapies, to rehabilitation and long-term consequences of life after stroke.
The NICRN Stroke Group aims to:
- Promote stroke research within Northern Ireland
- Attract large multi-centre clinical trials in stroke medicine to Northern Ireland.
- Encourage and support local researchers to conduct independent research in stroke medicine within Northern Ireland.
- Ensure stroke research in Northern Ireland is conducted to the highest standards of quality and safety.
- Provide the necessary infrastructure to facilitate start-up of new studies in stroke medicine.
- Engage with all disciplines of the stroke multi-disciplinary team to deliver research across all aspects of the stroke pathway.
Areas of interest include the following:
- Hyperacute revascularisation therapies for acute ischaemic stroke
- Intracerebral haemorrhage
- Anticoagulation for patients with atrial fibrillation and acute ischaemic stroke or prior intracerebral haemorrhage
- Secondary prevention of stroke
- Stroke rehabilitation interventions
Dr Carolee McLaughlin – BHSCT
Stroke Clinical Lead
Carolee McLaughlin is a Speech and Language Therapist and Joint Clinical Lead for Stroke within the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network. She qualified with a BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy in 1992 and subsequently completed an MSc in Advanced Practice in Speech and Language Therapy (2003).
Carolee has worked within stroke services for over 25 years, including extensive experience within the Royal Victoria Hospital Stroke Unit. She has a long-standing involvement in stroke research, collaborating in the FOOD Trial (1996–2004) and subsequently contributing to a number of randomised controlled trials, including Big CACTUS, and currently PHEAST as well as several SBRI phase 2 studies (Chats).
Her own research has focused on dysphagia, including the use of pulse oximetry as a potential measure for identifying aspiration and penetration, supported by a scientific research grant from Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke. She has presented and published nationally and internationally, with more recent publications addressing fibreoptic endoscopic assessment and the role of Speech and Language Therapy, as well as a policy statement for RCSLT.
Carolee was awarded the Niamh Masten Boehringer Ingelheim Prize for Innovation in Stroke Care – Project of the Year, recognising the introduction of a FEES service to the island of Ireland back in 2000.
As Joint Clinical Lead for Stroke, she is particularly committed to developing Allied Health Professional involvement in stroke research, supporting AHP clinicians to engage with and lead research, and strengthening the profile and contribution of AHP research within stroke services across Northern Ireland.