An exciting new plan has recently been unveiled to transform Ireland into a leader for medical research. Clinical trials are the motor of biomedical knowledge and are crucial for improving patient care and outcomes, yet Ireland has historically fallen behind its European counterparts for clinical trial activity. 

The National Clinical Trials Oversight Group (NCTOG) was established by the Department of Health to examine the clinical trials landscape in Ireland with the aim of supporting better clinical outcomes through increasing the number of trials taking place and improving access to (domestic & international) trials for trial participants.  

The NCTOG’s recently published final report demonstrates the pathway for Ireland to become a leader in clinical research by making research a standard part of hospital care, thus ensuring that everyone in Ireland can benefit from medical breakthroughs as soon as they are discovered.

A Vision for Better Healthcare

Professor Donal Brennan, Chairperson of the NCTOG, highlighted that this report is a blueprint for the future. He noted:

"The publication of this Final Report marks an important milestone for clinical trials in Ireland [..]. At the core of this vision is the conviction that clinical trials must be integrated into standard care. Research-active health systems deliver better outcomes, attract and retain skilled professionals, and accelerate learning and innovation."

He emphasised that this plan is about ensuring people from all over Ireland—"from Belmullet to Balbriggan"—can benefit from a modern, supportive research system.

Why the System is Changing: Opportunities for Growth 

Currently, launching a clinical trial in Ireland can be slow due to complex regulations and administrative hurdles. The new plan aims to remove these “roadblocks,” creating multiple opportunities for growth:

• Access to Care: Patients can benefit from effective treatments years before they become widely available, giving them earlier access to cutting-edge therapies.
• Health Service Savings: Clinical trials can help the state reduce spending on expensive drugs while enabling the health service to allocate resources more efficiently.
• Economic Growth: A strong, research-driven health system attracts international investment and creates high-skilled jobs in hospitals, universities, and the broader life sciences sector.

The 6 Main Goals for the Future

1. Stronger Leadership: A new Clinical Trials Advisory Council (CTAC) will be set up by early 2026. This group will provide the leadership and accountability needed to turn these recommendations into reality.
2. Faster Start-up Times: The plan introduces a "universal contract" for the whole country. This means instead of every hospital negotiating its own rules, there will be one set of standards, allowing new studies to open much faster.
3. Partnership with Patients: The plan recognises patients as partners and advocates. A new online platform will be created so that anyone can easily find trials, ensuring the research culture is transparent and reflects what matters most to the public.
4. Fair and Clear Costs: New rules will standardise the cost of research procedures. This makes it easier for hospitals to manage the financial side of a trial so that money doesn't become a barrier to patient care.
5. Supporting Research Staff: Ireland aims to be a place where the best medical professionals want to work. By creating clear career paths for research staff, the health system can attract and keep highly skilled doctors and nurses.
6. Using Smart Technology: Modern Electronic Health Records will be updated to work with research systems. This helps doctors quickly identify which patients might be a good match for a new study, ensuring everyone has an equal chance to participate.

In short, this roadmap is about building a health system that is sustainable, equitable and internationally competitive. By making clinical trials a core function of the health service, Ireland is ensuring that patients receive the most advanced care possible while strengthening the national economy.