Minister Nesbitt to focus on 'practical life-saving co-operation' in health care on US St Patrick's Day trip
Stormont’s health minister is visiting the world-renowned National Cancer Institute and other medical facilities during his trip to Washington for St Patrick’s Day.
Mike Nesbitt said the trip is about “turning the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement into practical, life-saving cooperation” between Belfast, Dublin and the United States.
The UUP minister travelled to America last year, with that trip also focusing on healthcare. He did attend the White House, but missed an opportunity to meet a delayed President Trump as he had a prior engagement.
Mr Nesbitt told the News Letter he is “delighted” to be in Washington for St Patrick’s Day “as part of a landmark visit that strengthens the unique tri-jurisdictional partnership between Belfast, Dublin and the United States, a partnership rooted directly in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement”.
The health minister said it is “a particular honour” to visit the National Cancer Institute at Bethesda.
“My focus here is clear and urgent: clinical trials.
“We want to learn from America’s cutting edge approach so that we can dramatically increase Northern Ireland’s participation in global trials, give our patients faster access to the newest treatments and therapies, and position our region as a leader in this vital area of medicine.
“I am accompanied on this visit by Professor Mark Lawlor, professor of Digital Health and chair in Translational Cancer Genomics at Queen’s University Belfast.
“Professor Lawlor is a central figure in the three-nation collaboration and his expertise is already helping to drive forward our shared ambitions in cancer research and digital health,” he said.
Mr Nesbitt added: “By working even more closely with our partners in Dublin and Washington, we can deliver better outcomes for patients right across these islands and beyond.
“I look forward to bringing back concrete proposals that will help us up our game on clinical trials and ensure Northern Ireland plays its full part in the global fight against cancer.”
The trip will also include visits to the National Children’s Hospital in Washington, the State of Tennessee’s Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.