National Institute for Health Research, Clinical Research Network: League Table Reveals Level of Clinical Research Activity

National Institute for Health Research, Clinical Research Network: League Table Reveals Level of Clinical Research Activity

January 03, 2012

-97 per cent of NHS Trusts in England now active in clinical research-

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Clinical Research Network has published a league table revealing NHS Trust research activity throughout England. It shows who is leading the way in delivering clinical research opportunities for patients by detailing the number of studies that individual Trusts support, and the number of patients they recruit.

The table demonstrates that patients throughout England are being given the chance to take part in research, but also highlights a broad range of research engagement. Although the NIHR Clinical Research Network reported that 97 per cent of NHS Trusts took part in research activity during 2010/11, the table shows that some Trusts offer only a small number of patients the option of benefitting from taking part in a study.

Dr Jonathan Sheffield, Chief Executive of the NIHR Clinical Research Network, sees the league table as an opportunity to celebrate achievement and stimulate the profile of research throughout the NHS:

"We helped to recruit over half a million patients to research studies through NHS organisations in England during 2010/11, which was a fantastic achievement. But it's important to look behind that figure to see the true picture. The league table helps us recognise the research commitment of NHS staff throughout England, but also shows that we still need to do more to put research on the radar in some areas of the NHS."

Fostering a research-active culture brings a host of benefits for patients, clinicians and the NHS. It drives innovation, gives rise to better and more cost-effective treatments, and creates opportunities for staff development. Growing evidence also suggests that NHS organisations that are research-active appear to do better in overall performance, and an organisation's research activity is linked to improved patient outcomes.

Commenting on the league table results, Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health, said:

"Clinical research is not just for the large teaching hospitals - it is absolutely core business for all NHS Trusts. A recent MORI poll showed that seventy two per cent of people would want to be offered the chance to take part in a clinical trial if they had a health condition that was affecting their daily life. Data from the NIHR Clinical Research Network shows us that high quality research is happening, but we could be doing more. We need all Trusts to look at how they can increase the opportunities for patients to take part in research."

The top five Trusts for the number of studies were: 1. Leeds Teaching Hospitals PLC. 2. The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 3. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. 4. Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust. 5. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The top five Trusts for patient recruitment were: 1. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. 2. University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust. 3. Southampton University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 4. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 5. Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust.

To view the research activity league table in full visit: www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/nhs-performance

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Data is from the NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio 2010/11; a national database of studies, which is supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network. Only studies that meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Department of Health are included in the Portfolio. These are high quality studies that have been awarded funds as a result of open national competition, for research that is of clear value to the NHS and which takes account of Department of Health and NHS priorities.

About the Clinical Research Network

The Clinical Research Network is part of the National Institute for Health Research - the research arm of the National Health Service in England. The Clinical Research Network provides researchers with the practical support they need to make clinical studies happen in the NHS, so that more research takes place across England, and more patients can take part.

More information at www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk

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