Northern Ireland Office Minister Matthew Patrick MP recently visited Ulster University's Belfast Campus to see first-hand the cutting-edge research and innovation being delivered through the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT) a flagship project that is positioning Northern Ireland at the forefront of the UK's digital health agenda.
The transformative £45m Belfast City Centre facility unites academia, clinicians, and industry to deliver accelerated MedTech innovation and transform healthcare systems locally and globally. This landmark capital project is being delivered by Ulster University through the Belfast Region City Deal - a £1 billion investment programme backed by the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, and local councils across the Belfast city region.
During the visit, which took place ahead of the first anniversary of the UK Industrial Strategy the Minister toured research laboratories in which Ulster University's academics are already delivering pioneering work directly aligned with CDHT's mission, including fabrication and characterisation of MedTech devices, health technology testing, and living lab robotics demonstrations. The Minister also viewed the CDHT construction site, offering a visible reminder of the investment already underway in Belfast.
Minister Patrick spoke with Ulster University’s leading researchers and academic staff. This included Professor James McLaughlin, CDHT Project Lead; Professor Colin Turner, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean; and Professor Brian Meenan, Senior Responsible Officer for CDHT. The visit underscored the Government's commitment to research-driven economic growth and the role that universities play in turning ambition into impact.
Minister Patrick said:
“From healthcare robots to floors which detect falls, Ulster University’s amazing innovation is truly harnessing the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.
"This innovation will be supercharged by the construction of the new Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology, and I’m proud that the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive are working together to boost Northern Ireland’s life sciences sector - a key component of the Industrial Strategy- through this landmark project.”
When complete, the purpose-built CDHT facility on Frederick Street in Belfast city centre will bring together researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to develop, test, and scale digital healthcare technologies, from wearable biosensors and robotics to AI-powered diagnostics and remote patient monitoring.
Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew said:
"Ulster University is a driving force behind the kind of innovation that the UK Industrial Strategy calls for. Our investment in CDHT and our leading research represent exactly the type of public-private collaboration that will deliver long-term economic growth and better health outcomes for people across Northern Ireland and beyond. We were delighted to welcome the Minister and to demonstrate what is possible when ambition, talent, and investment come together."
Professor James McLaughlin, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and CDHT Project Lead, added:
"What the Minister saw today is research that is already saving lives and shaping the future of healthcare. CDHT will take that work to a completely new scale — creating a facility that brings together engineers, clinicians, and innovators under one roof, right here in Belfast. This investment is transformational, not just for Ulster University but for patients, for industry, and for Northern Ireland's economy."
The UK Industrial Strategy, which this month marks the first anniversary of its publication, identifies life sciences as one of eight priority growth sectors. Ulster University's investment in CDHT places the institution at the heart of the national agenda — translating government ambition into tangible economic, social and healthcare outcomes for Northern Ireland and beyond.
