Register your interest and find out more information. We will send you details about the current trials with absolutely no obligation to participate.
Our website lists all the open trials for both healthy volunteers and patients, where you can request further information about each specific trials. You can also register on the Consent4Consent database where we will contact you about suitable studies.
We are lucky enough to be in the unique position to have access to all facilities the hospital has to offer.
We’ve done more than 100 trials, including 36 phase 1 with over 25 first in human trials and 29 Phase II trials. We have an exceptional record for putting safety first and have held MHRA phase 1 accreditation status since 2012. Our trials can be for healthy volunteers or for a range of health conditions such as respiratory, eczema, alzheimers and heart failure.
We currently have over 30 highly trained staff, including doctors and nurses. Our Medical Director has over 12 years’ experience of clinical trials.
Since 2009, when the unit opened, more than 2500 volunteers have been part of a trial here. Many come back to repeat the experience.
Before any new medicine or medical device can be used by medical teams around the world it has to undergo rigorous testing to ensure it is safe and actually works to prevent or cure the disease or alleviate symptoms.
A clinical trial is part of this rigorous testing and involves research using human volunteers that is intended to add to the medical knowledge about the new product.
Get in touch and we will send you everything you need to know about your chosen trial. Take your time to discuss it with your family and friends. If you have any questions just get in touch with one of our team for a chat. If you are still interested, a member of the recruitment team will call you to complete a quick initial eligibility check. This is processed to determine your eligibility and if successful you will be contacted with screening appointment dates. Don’t forget, you can change your mind with no reason at any time.
You will need to bring photographic identification, such as a passport or a driving license and proof of your National Insurance Number, i.e. tax letter, payslip, NI card. Some trials have certain regulations, which you may need to adhere to. For example, avoiding certain foods or cutting out alcohol for some days. You will be provided with all this information beforehand. Upon arrival for your screening visit, you will be given a consent form to sign which demonstrates that you have read the patient information leaflet and consent to participating in the trial. You will then undergo a thorough health check which generally takes a couple of hours. The doctor will go over your medical history and then give you a physical examination. Your height, weight, blood pressure and heart rate will be recorded. The nurses will test your heart function using an ECG machine, as well as taking blood and urine samples. For safety purposes, we may contact your doctor to verify your past medical history.
You may be reimbursed for your time and travel expenses. Again, you can change your mind and stop the trial at any time.
We will contact you after your screening visit to let you know whether you’re eligible for the trial. If not, don’t worry. Each trial has specific criteria and even if you meet most of them, something as simple as a recent flu jab can affect a clinical trial. If you aren’t suitable for this trial, with your permission we will register you on to our volunteer database, Consent 4 Consent, and we will contact you when a trial becomes available in which we think you may be suitable for. If you are accepted onto a trial, you will be informed of the next steps, any other precautions or changes you must adhere to and further details of the research taking place.
The Clinical Research Facility runs clinical trials with small numbers of healthy volunteers or patients. The information from these smaller clinical trials is utilised to run the next stage of larger trials. These trials can take place in sites across the world. This results in enough information for a decision whether to allow the trial drug to be licenced and prescribed.
Our team of dedicated, professional and highly-skilled staff are here to enhance your experience of clinical trials. We have a range of teams including management, clinical data, laboratory, pharmacy, project management, recruitment and reception.
