10th November 2025
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s medical team continues to make their mark in the world of international research.
Respiratory and cardiology colleagues have recently had research works published in prestigious medical journals.
The respiratory team led by Dr Rory Convery, Consultant Respiratory Physician were key contributors to a major international trial in the treatment of the chronic lung condition, bronchiectasis. Dr Convery who recently retired from his full-time consultant role continues to provide valuable support to the respiratory service. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Craigavon Area Hospital was one of 20 hospitals across the UK to contribute to a year-long clinical trial, recruiting the third highest number of patient participants.
Professor Patricia Campbell, Consultant Cardiologist and lead for Heart Failure, has contributed to a Lancet study on understanding and preventing heart failure after a heart attack which aims to improve global standards of treatment. Professor Campbell who has taken up post as the Trust’s Associate Medical Director for Research and Development, also had a Seminar paper published in the Lancet offering practical guidance to non-specialist clinicians on the diagnosis and management of a particular type of heart failure, diagnosed in at least half of all cases (HFpEF).
Congratulating colleagues, Dr Stephen Austin, Southern Trust Medical Director said: “With a rich culture of promoting active research and continuous improvement right across the Southern Trust, it is part of our vision to grow to be a learning organisation. Supported by our research and development team, staff throughout many professions and specialties have made significant contributions to local, national and international studies. We are absolutely delighted that our cardiology and respiratory colleagues are at the forefront of international medical innovation. It is only through such ongoing investigation that opportunities in modern medicine will evolve to find better treatments, improve diagnosis, prevention and quality of life for everyone.”