The league table is published by the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network, the research delivery arm of the NHS. It shows the number of studies undertaken by each NHS Trust from April 2014 to March 2015, and the number of patients who volunteered to take part in clinical research.
Almost half of the NHS Trusts across the country increased the number of clinical research studies undertaken in their Trust last year, contributing to the drive for better treatments for all NHS patients.
Last year EKHUFT more than doubled the number of people taking part in research studies from 1672 in 2013/14 to 2367 in 2014/15. The number of studies also increased and research opportunities were available to more patients across more disease areas than ever before. This means that the Trust is ranked as number one in Kent and has risen from 86th position in the national clinical research league table to 45th - a fantastic achievement!
Heather Gillham, Chief Operating Officer of the NIHR Clinical Research Network: Kent, Surrey and Sussex said: “We know that research is something that patients really value and it is wonderful that Trusts in Kent are creating the opportunities for patients to get involved. I would like thank the Research and Development teams within the Trusts for all their hard work. I would also like to thank all the patients and carers who have taken part in research.”
Commenting on the league table, George Freeman MP, Parliamentary Secretary of State for Life Sciences said: “It is great to see that life science research activity across the NHS in England continues to grow. It is only through the fantastic work that the National Institute for Health Research does that we can help to develop exciting new 21st century cutting edge treatments and technologies. Our world class NHS research infrastructure is not only benefiting patients but attracting huge investment to the UK and ensuring we remain a life science powerhouse."
