HRB Chair statement
Dr Tracy Cunningham
As the HRB marks 40 years of public service, this strategy represents our ambition and drive to strengthen healthcare on the island of Ireland – and beyond – through a dynamic health research ecosystem.
Since the establishment of the HRB, we have supported significant advances in public health, patient care, health system innovation, and smarter policy development, remaining focused on research that improves people’s lives and strengthens the health and social care system.
As an organisation, we have grown in scale and ambition. Our investments have transformed the health research landscape, increased the use of evidence for health and social care policies and enhanced people’s health.
Our work has been integrated into national strategies and legislation in areas such as mental health, cancer, drugs, alcohol, gambling and e-cigarettes. In addition, the National Research Ethics Committees under the auspices of the HRB have been responsible for a step change in clinical research delivery, as well as strengthening clinical research governance.
Future direction
This new 5-year strategy is highly ambitious, developed in partnership with the Department of Health and importantly our research community, patients and the public.
As the lead funder of health research on the island of Ireland, we are determined to support a thriving and increasingly impactful health research ecosystem.
This will be demonstrated by advancing clinical trials and investing in innovative ideas, further developing health data infrastructure and deepening our collaborations at all-island, EU and international levels.
We will also deliver trusted evidence that empowers decision-making in health for economic and social benefit. The continued development of the National Research Ethics Committees is an essential component of this research effort.
Strong collaboration
Collaboration has been a cornerstone of the HRB’s success and will be central to delivering our mission going forward.
At a national level, partnership with people working at the coalface in health and social care – along with the public, patients and carers – will also help to ensure that the HRB strategy can be applied in policy and practice, contributing to better outcomes for our communities.
Respond and adapt
The need to be agile and resilient is embedded in our strategy. The landscape is constantly changing, which will likely require adaptation of the strategy over the coming 5 years.
Artificial intelligence (AI), budget limitations, the risk of financial and geopolitical instability, increased demand for evidence-informed decisions, digital transformation, and strengthened prevention and preparedness measures all pose potential challenges but also signal significant opportunities for enhanced health research delivery.
Hence, we must regularly reevaluate the landscape and adapt accordingly within the implementation plan for this strategy.
This could result in a change of focus in our funding schemes, a requirement to deliver evidence products in shorter time frames, and expansion of our services. So, we must be flexible to change where change is required.
Translation to action
Our strategy sets out clear goals, related actions and key performance indicators. Progress against these will be monitored in quarterly and annual reports to the HRB Board and the Department of Health.
I want to thank our extensive stakeholder group for their time and commitment in helping to craft this strategy. Many of their suggestions have been incorporated.
I also want to thank the Board for their insight and expert guidance and the highly knowledgeable and skilled HRB workforce for their work in developing this strategic vision. We will ensure that we continue to grow our talent and expertise to meet the needs of this new strategy.
We look forward to delivering on an impactful new 5-year strategy which focuses on excellent health research, inclusivity, trustworthy evidence in partnership with patients and the public, delivered in an ethical and well-governed manner and translated to yield health and socioeconomic impact.
Dr Tracy Cunningham
Chair, Health Research Board