The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Eastern helps to increase the opportunities for people to take part in health and social care research. CRN Eastern also ensures that studies are carried out efficiently, and supports the Government’s Strategy for UK Life Sciences by improving the environment for commercial contract clinical research in the NHS across East Anglia.
CRN Eastern has the second largest geography of the 15 local networks across England, with a diverse population of around 3.9m across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.
We support the delivery of research at these NHS Trusts:
We are passionate about the contribution that clinical research can make to our patients lives, and work collaboratively with other NHS providers to translate that passion into the effective delivery of studies in the area. To do this, we make sure that clinical research occupies the place it deserves in the day-to-day work of the NHS across the Eastern region. Our region includes 16 Trusts, 11 Clinical Commissioning Groups and selected other qualified providers of NHS and non-NHS public services.
We provide our Partner Organisations with the practical support they need to make clinical studies happen in the NHS, so that more research takes place across the region and more patients can take part.
This practical support includes:
Last year saw our CRN Eastern community face unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic with drive, determination and innovation. Despite the pressures faced by all, our region saw more than 122,000 volunteers taking part in research - three times the number of the previous year and a phenomenal effort.
For an overview of the Eastern research funded and supported by the NIHR over the last year, take a look at our 2020-21 CRN Eastern Public Annual Report.
We have a strong history of collaboration with industry and are committed to the impact that clinical research can make to patient care. Our region offers first class research facilities and centres of excellence within leading teaching hospitals and collaboration with academia.
Our dedicated Industry team supports all commercial Portfolio research within the Eastern region throughout the study life cycle. The Industry team provides the following:
You can get in touch with our Life Sciences Industry Team for more information by emailing crneastern.industry@nihr.ac.uk.
