1 April 2014

New clinical research network launched for region


CLINICAL research in the region will receive a boost today (1 April 2014), with the launch of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber.

The Network – one of 15 across England, which all begin operating from today – brings together local hospitals, doctors’ surgeries and other healthcare providers from across the region, to collaborate in conducting high quality clinical research studies that could lead to better treatments for NHS patients.

NIHR Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber will receive around £28.7m of funding this year to invest in clinical research nurses to match patients with appropriate research opportunities, carry out the clinical duties required for the studies and cover research-related costs such as x-rays and scans.

Having the opportunity to take part in research studies is important to the region’s patients and carers. According to a consumer poll carried out by Censuswide last year, 95 per cent of people in the Yorkshire and Humber said that NHS doctors and nurses should always tell patients about clinical trials that would be suitable for them.

Dr Caroline Pickstone, chief operating officer for the NIHR Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber, said: “I am delighted to be announcing the launch of this new network, which will provide many novel and exciting opportunities for research collaboration, innovation and development, helping get new treatments to the clinic quicker and faster. We look forward to working with patients, partner organisations, clinicians, and commercial partners to support research delivery and innovation and to advance healthcare across the region."

Dr Simon Howell, joint clinical director for the NIHR Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Yorkshire and Humber has great strength in clinical research. The Clinical Research Network will support the many successful NHS organisations, researchers, universities and commercial partners in the region and will add value both for patients and for the wider population.”

Dr Alison Layton, joint clinical director for the NIHR Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber, said: “The Yorkshire and Humber is recognised for the clinical strengths of many of its NHS services and provides significant opportunities for research innovation. We are committed to providing equitable access for our population to be involved in high quality NIHR studies and it is excellent to have the opportunity through the novel network to enable wider participation in clinical research."

Commenting on the start-up of NIHR Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber, Dr Jonathan Sheffield, chief executive of the Network at a national level explained: “The Network has in fact been running for a while, but from April 2014 we will be operating in a new structure that will help us to reach out to even more healthcare providers and patients, and really make clinical research a part of the “day job” for the NHS – which is what it should be.”

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be hosting the network on behalf of NHS partner organisations across the Yorkshire and Humber.


ENDS
 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudia Blake, Research and Innovation Communications Officer
Tel: 0114 226 5033
Email: claudia.blake@sth.nhs.uk
 



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