Clinical research facility opens its doors to patients at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Patients at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) taking part in clinical research trials will undergo treatment within the new £3.2 million purpose-built St James’s University Hospital Clinic
The CRF provides dedicated space and facilities for the care of patients participating in leading edge clinical trials, some of which are being run by University of Leeds researchers.
Clinical trials are research studies involving people. They help NHS staff understand how to treat a particular illness using new drugs, therapies, techniques or technologies. Trials may benefit patients directly, or others like them, in the future. Patients who take part in a clinical trial may be one of the first people to benefit from a new treatment.
Located within the Bexley Wing, the new CRF doubles the amount of space available for patients taking part in research, providing a more spacious, comfortable and better-equipped environment, and for the first time allowing overnight stays for research patients who need round the clock clinical monitoring.
The treatment suite of 6 beds, 11 treatment chairs and one procedure room, ensures space for 18 patients who could all be participating in different trials at the same time. There are also dedicated research consulting rooms, alongside supportive clinical care space to deliver high-quality outpatient, day case and inpatient treatment and care.
The St James’s CRF was funded by LTHT (£3.2 million) with support from the University of Leeds, and additional funding provided by hospital charity Leeds Cares for specialist equipment (200k).
Professor Chris Twelves, Director of the Leeds Clinical Research Facility from the University of Leeds and LTHT, said: “This state of the art, purpose-built facility will transform the way patients take part in clinical trials. It will not only enhance the patient experience but allow us to undertake trials on a different level to before.”
Professor Mark Kearney, Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds, said: “The University is very proud to be working closely with our healthcare partners in Leeds to provide cutting-edge research that improves the lives of patients, regionally, nationally and around the world.
“We have a long history of excellence in clinical trials, and this facility provides a significant increase in our capacity to carry out this important work.
“This will be an important facility for the engagement of patients in high intensity research – driving our translation of novel technological advances in medicine, new diagnostics and therapies.”
Dr Jacqueline Andrews, Director of Research & Innovation at LTHT said: “The opening of the new CRF will bring tremendous benefits to our patients at LTHT. It has been demonstrated that patients treated at research-active hospitals have better outcomes.
“We are committed to expanding our research facilities throughout the Trust to ensure all our patients have the opportunity to get involved in research.”
Leeds Cares Managing Director Andrew Cratchley said: “As the official charity partner of Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds Cares supports NHS staff to deliver the best care for patients and their families.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our donors and supporters for helping us fund equipment for the new Clinical Research Facility.
“By funding such projects, we’re helping to ensure that patients and their families continue to benefit from the best possible care.”
Be Part of Research website:
The Be Part of Research website has information about clinical trials and other research from several different UK registers. You can also search the Be Part of Research site to find trials relevant to you, and you can contact researchers yourself.
For more information https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-trials/
