The Cross-Border Healthcare Intervention Trials in Ireland Network (CHITIN) programme recently held a celebration event to officially complete the programme (ending 30 June).
Attending the event were members from the 11 CHITIN studies, Research & Development colleagues, partners, funders, members of the CHITIN Advisory Group and Patient & Public Involvement members.
CHITIN aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Northern Ireland and the border regions of Ireland (Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth) through cross-border research collaborations.
The research looked at key health challenges such as mental health, obesity, asthma, medicine management and stroke. People from both sides of the border have benefited from this health and social care research thanks to CHITIN.
Celebrating the success of the CHITIN project, Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director, Research and Development, Public Health Agency and lead partner on the project said:
“We want to celebrate the CHITIN programme. The 11 studies have been delivered through the hard work and persistence of all study teams. Not only has CHITIN helped benefit the health and wellbeing of people and prevent illness, it means that those people who may not have been able to access health research previously have had the opportunity to do so in Northern Ireland and the border regions of Ireland.”
Janice added: “I wish to extend a thank-you to all in the CHITN network, research community and to all those involved in the CHITIN programme.”
Speaking on behalf of the Department of Health, Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Adviser and Director of Research & Development, Health and Social Care said:
“I am delighted to attend this event to celebrate the success of the EU INTERREG VA Programme, CHITIN.
“Through cross-border collaboration, it has successfully developed and delivered 11 Health Intervention Research Trials to help prevent and cure illness and improve the health and wellbeing of people in Northern Ireland and the six border county regions of Ireland.
“Health studies and trials are crucial in improving population health. The learning and collaborative working relationships developed during these trials will help shape cross-border health research into the future.”
To read the full press release and for more information on CHITIN, please visit: https://research.hscni.net/chitin/news @CHITINProject
Photo caption: Dr Amanda Daly, Programme Manager, Research Strategy and Funding, Health Research Board, Republic of Ireland; Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body; Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health NI and Director of Research & Development, Health and Social Care, Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director, Research & Development, Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland.