Scientists at the University of Ulster  and NUI Galway have joined forces with HSE West and the Western Health and Social Care Trust to create a collaborative cross-border partnership in diabetes-related research.

Diabetes has been targeted because of its increasing prevalence and the associated health care costs.  Over 65,000 adults and 1,000 children in Northern Ireland are receiving treatment for diabetes, and every year 4000 new cases are diagnosed.

The new “Atlantic-Alliance for Cooperation on Research into Diabetes” (Atlantic - ACORD) initiative brings together clinicians and researchers from the health service, academia and industry and patients to develop innovative solutions to problems related to the growing problem of diabetes.  

Participants will also involve allied health professionals , including dieticians, podiatrists, diabetes specialist nurses, IT specialists and psychologists.

Priority research areas for the partnership are:

• health technologies

• the use of geographical information systems in database analysis

• diabetes in pregnancy

• beta cell engineering.  

These research themes represent some of the key unmet needs for patients in the region and will form the initial focus of further collaborative research proposals.  

Professor Finbarr O’Harte of the University of Ulster said:  “The Atlantic-ACORD initiative is an exciting opportunity for us all to pool our expertise in the field of diabetes research for the benefit of diabetes sufferers.

“This cross-border cooperation should help bring real improvements in prevention, treatment and management of diabetes in this catchment area.”

The partners are enthusiastic about the prospect for a formal cross-border initiative in diabetes research , helping tackle this disease, which is both a growing problem in society and major healthcare service challenge.
 
Professor Fidelma Dunne, Head of the School of Medicine at NUI Galway, said: “Tackling diabetes has become an international healthcare priority in the western world.  This new research alliance, Atlantic-CORD, is all about joined-up thinking and pooling resources and expertise north and south of the border in Ireland.”

Welcoming the initiative, Dr Maurice O’Kane, Head of Research and Development, Western Trust, and C-TRIC said: “The establishment of Atlantic-ACORD is another significant step forward in putting in place strong systems for research into prevention and treatment of diabetes.

 "This will help us engage even more widely with experts both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which will lead to real benefits in how we understand and treat diabetes."

It is planned to collaborate with other diabetes centres and work towards an all-island diabetes research network.

For further information,see
 
http://www.nuigalway.ie/hrb_crfg/Diabetes_res/diabetes_research_irl.html