Research studies increase by 15% in the West Midlands as the NHS reaches 75
Research in the West Midlands continues to thrive with the number of clinical trials that took place in the region in 2022/23 increasing by 15% on the previous year.
Data recently published by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network show that research teams based at NHS and social care organisations across the region enrolled nearly 50,000 participants to 929 NIHR-funded and supported clinical research trials in 2022/23, up from 805 the previous year.
Carly Craddock, Chief Operating Officer of the NIHR CRN West Midlands, said: “These numbers are great for participants in the NHS who are helping to shape the treatments of tomorrow. It’s also been encouraging to see the further expansion of our research into other settings outside the NHS.
“We thank all our partners for everything they put into research. They are helping to change people’s lives - today and for future generations.”
Professor David Loughton CBE, Group Chief Executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, added: ‘As the Host Trust of the CRN West Midlands, we applaud the accomplishments of researchers in the region and the willingness of the public to come forward and support this life-changing work. And as the NHS marks its 75th birthday, we look forward to seeing what the future of research will bring.”
Read about research participant Sylvia’s experience.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
2,507 participants in the region were also given the opportunity to take part in commercial studies sponsored by the life sciences industry, an increase of 19% on the previous year. The number of commercial studies recruited to in the region went up by over a third, from 136 to 183.
As we celebrate the NHS 75th birthday, the NIHR is calling on people to join its Shape the Future campaign to help shape the NHS of the future through supporting and participating in research studies.
People can register to take part in research in their area at: www.bepartofresearch.uk
