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Wider scope of individuals join medical research studies for drugs and medical equipment

Government Affirms Vigorous Pursuit of Engaging Millions of Patients in Clinical Studies, as Advocated by Chris Whitehouse

Expanded cohort for upcoming medical research trials on medications and medical equipment
Expanded cohort for upcoming medical research trials on medications and medical equipment

Wider scope of individuals join medical research studies for drugs and medical equipment

In a significant move towards modernizing the UK's healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS) has announced plans to transform the way patients participate in clinical trials. The initiative, part of the NHS 10 Year Plan, aims to make it easier for millions of people across the UK to search for and sign up to clinical trials directly via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Be Part of Research service on the NHS App[1][2].

The NHS App, set for a Deliveroo-style upgrade in March 2026, will offer a streamlined approach to clinical trial set-up times, making the UK a more attractive destination for clinical trials[2]. Currently, setting up a clinical trial in the NHS takes around 250 days, while in Spain, the process takes just 100 days[1]. The reduction in trial set-up times, according to the Department of Health and Social Care, will be the most ambitious in British history[1].

To utilize this service, users simply need to download and log in to the NHS App on their smartphones. Within the app, they can access the Be Part of Research service, which is integrated with NIHR’s national clinical trials platform[1]. Users can then browse available clinical trials that match their interests and health needs[1]. Currently, users can search manually for trials and sign up directly through the app. However, future enhancements are planned to provide tailored trial matching through health records, making participation easier and more personalized[1][2].

The initiative encourages broader representation, particularly among young people and ethnic minorities, in clinical trials. This is crucial as the UK has fallen behind as a global destination for clinical trials in recent years[1]. The government's commitment to involving millions more patients in clinical research is a step towards rectifying this issue[1].

The 10 Year Plan also emphasizes transparency by publicly reporting the performance of NHS trusts in delivering clinical trials. Funding will be directed to the best performers, aiming to position the UK as a global hub for clinical research innovation[1].

Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation, is involved in this initiative. He is a governor of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre and chairs the Urology Trade Association. Whitehouse Communications, where Whitehouse is also a partner, is an advisor to MedTech suppliers[1].

This new approach could benefit patients and the wider economy by accelerating the delivery of cutting-edge treatments. The NIHR has launched a UK-wide recruitment drive for clinical trials, the biggest ever health research campaign, to encourage more adults across the UK to register for clinical trials[1].

Sources: [1] Department of Health and Social Care. (2021). NHS Long Term Plan: Achieving world-class care for all. Retrieved from

The NHS App, set for a Deliveroo-style upgrade in March 2026, will offer a streamlined approach to clinical trial set-up times, making the UK an attractive destination for science and medical-conditions research. Users can access the Be Part of Research service on the NHS App, browse available clinical trials, and sign up for trials that match their interests and health needs, with future enhancements for tailored trial matching using health records.

The National Health Service's initiative to transform clinical trials is a significant move towards enhancing health-and-wellness, particularly encouraging broader representation among young people and ethnic minorities in clinical trials, aiming to rectify the UK's recent fall behind as a global destination for such research.

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