More people across the UK will have access to clinical trials following the set-up of 20 new research hubs.
£100m of public-private investment will be used to open Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs), regional hubs for pioneering research, the government has announced today.
The announcement will support the new 10 Year Health Plan and boost the NHS's capacity to deliver commercial clinical research, bringing investment into the UK's life sciences sector.
Also today, legislation has today been laid that will transform clinical trials in the UK by streamlining processes to get research up and running as quickly as possible, without compromising high standards which protect patients and participants. You can read more about these changes in our website news story.
Dr Janet Messer, Director of Approvals said:
Dr Janet Messer"We are delighted that the CRDCs have been announced today alongside new clinical trials regulations, which also have a focus on streamlining the regulation of research. The new regulations remove the requirement for approval of individual sites, making it easier for trial activities to take place at different locations. This means that people taking part in trials can have simple tests nearer to home, avoiding the burden of unnecessary travel. The new CRDCs will also make it easier to run trials in this way, often referred to as decentralised trials.
"The new CRDCs will make it easier for people to take part in trials of new medicines. The HRA has published resources to help researchers adopt a people-centred approach to research and we look forward to working with the CRDCs to address the barriers to people-centred research, and to share good practice that makes it easier to do research."
Director of Policy and Partnerships Becky Purvis added:
Becky Purvis"Our work at the HRA will support the shift of more research from large hospitals into smaller communities by making sure that research is designed with and for the people it is about.
"Our guidance will set expectations for public involvement in the design and delivery of research and inclusion of research participants that aim to make it possible for people to be both able and confident to choose to take part in research.
"We are working with commercial and non-commercial researchers, patients and the public to develop straightforward processes and guidance to support researchers to do this well
"People in the UK want to take part in research - 68% of the UK public would take part in research if asked. We can increase their opportunities to do so by making the UK a world-leading destination to do clinical trials in a way that people can trust."