NUH increased recruitment to clinical trials by 100% in less than two years, ranking amongst the top six NHS Trusts in the country for 2010/11. The NHS Operating Framework for 2008/9 looked to double the number of patients taking part in clinical trials in England over a five year period. Exceeding an already ambitious target in less than two years, this outstanding achievement by NUH is driven by the dedicated hard work of our clinical staff and committed patient involvement.

With strong capability in attracting research income from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), the partnership between NUH and the University of Nottingham is now the most successful outside the major centres in London, Oxford and Cambridge. Our doubling of recruitment numbers means that we have now extended our existing attainment in translational and clinical research to clinical trials.

According to the latest data from the Trent Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN), part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) wider Clinical Research Network, more than 6,800 patients across NUH were recruited to clinical trials through the NIHR between April 2010 and January 2011. For the financial year 2008-2009, the total recruitment in similar studies amounted to just 3,368 patients.

“this high level of research activity will help us identify the most efficient healthcare solutions and design the clinical services of the future” – Peter Wozencroft, Associate Director of Strategy for NUH

Dr Brian Thomson, Director of R&D at NUH, said “The close working partnership between NUH R&D and Trent CLRN had been a driving force behind increased trial participation in NUH. This success has been underpinned by the strategic allocation of research infrastructure leading to an overall increase in clinical trials activity. This means that increasing numbers of patients in Nottingham will be offered the opportunity to take part in NHS research, enhancing access to innovative medicines and improving outcomes. This is the road to a healthier and wealthier Nottingham.”

Peter Wozencroft, Associate Director of Strategy for NUH, commented: “Congratulations to everyone for this tremendous achievement. NUH is committed to embracing the research culture across all areas of clinical service. This is particularly important as the NHS needs to make efficiency savings over the next years; this high level of research activity will help us identify the most efficient healthcare solutions and design the clinical services of the future”.

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