Today the Department for Health and Social Care has announced plans to expand access to clinical trials through the upcoming 10 Year Plan for Health. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Be Part of Research service will be launched on the NHS App enabling easier access to trials for more people across the country.
Responding to the announcement, Prof Siddharthan Chandran, Director of UK DRI said:
Today's announcement represents a transformative moment as expanding access to clinical trials will deliver substantial benefits for the NHS, researchers, and the economy. The stark reality that under 100 people participated in dementia clinical trials in 2022 underscores the urgent need for this initiative. The Dementia Trials Accelerator, a partner initiative driven by the UK DRI and HDR UK, will position the UK as the global destination of choice for industry investment in clinical trials and drive breakthrough developments for the millions of people living with dementia.
We are particularly encouraged by the commitment to improve participation among underrepresented groups. Medical breakthroughs must reach every community - this is an imperative for equitable healthcare. The NIHR Be Part of Research initiative will create unprecedented collaboration between industry, academic research, and clinical expertise, delivering fundamental transformation for all people with neurodegenerative conditions while establishing the UK as the undisputed hub for global life science research and the destination for investment in innovation.