Patient participation in research tops 4,000 at NNUH

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has seen a significant increase in clinical studies in the last year, according to the annual National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Activity League Table, published this week.

In terms of studies within the NIHR study portfolio, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals (NNUH) saw a 16% increase in study numbers from 170 to 197, giving them the biggest study increase in numbers (27) across the region.

The Trust has also grown participant recruitment by 14% from 3779 to 4319, offering more opportunities for patients to benefit from clinical research.

The Research Activity League Table is published by the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) annually to detail research activity across all NHS trusts and CCGs in England. The table provides a picture of how much clinical research is happening in which NHS organisations, and involving how many patients.

More people than ever before are being given access to new and better treatments through participation in clinical research across the country, according to the latest figures.

The number of participants recruited into NIHR clinical research studies in 2016-17 exceeded 665,000, the highest number of clinical research participants in any given year. The substantial rise represents a 10% increase in the last year alone and NNUH has made a significant contribution to this.

Fiona Robertson, Chief Operating Officer for the NIHR Clinical Research Network in the Eastern region, which is hosted by NNUH, commended teams, saying:

“This excellent progress is largely down to the vision and energy of NHS staff across East Anglia to find better treatments for patients. It is also demonstrative of the appetite of the extraordinary volunteers who take part.

“We will continue to support our research community to grow opportunities for patients and to help those delivering research to get the recognition they deserve.”

Mark Davies, NNUH Chief Executive, said: “To be a centre of excellence for research and innovation is one of our key strategic objectives as a hospital trust.

“These results are testament to the dedication of our staff in ensuring patients have access to the best possible treatments and have the opportunity to benefit from new techniques as developments arise. To participate in almost 200 NIHR research studies across our hospitals this year is a fantastic achievement.”

The table sits on the NIHR website at www.nihr.ac.uk/nihrleaguetable, accessible to anyone wanting to understand how much research activity is happening in their local trust or CCG.

Members of the NNUH Research Team