UHNM awarded £3.1 million in government funding to become regional research hub

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) will receive £3.1 million in government funding to help accelerate medical research.

Patients are set to benefit from ground-breaking treatments and expanded clinical trial access after it was announced UHNM is set to become one of 20 Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) across the UK.

The centres will provide cutting-edge technology and equipment to support the testing of innovative treatments, offering patients greater access to treatments still in trial phases.

Professor Kamaraj Karunanithi, Director of Research and Innovation at UHNM, said: “Through a collaborative effort with local community partners, UHNM’s Research and Innovation directorate successfully secured a place among the 20 selected CRDCs across the UK. 

“This is an incredible milestone for UHNM and the people of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The investment will allow us to engage populations that typically do not participate in NHS research and provide access to pioneering treatments not currently available on the NHS.

“The trials will focus on a range of areas, including cancer, obesity, and infectious diseases such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The CRDCs will streamline the set-up of commercial studies, allowing patients to access treatments at the forefront of medical advancement sooner than ever before.”

The CRDCs, part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) initiative and funded through £100 million of private investment from pharmaceutical companies, are in line with NHS England’s 10-Year Health Plan, with the aim to move clinical trials from large hospital trusts, like UHNM, into local community settings, enabling more individuals from underserved regions to participate in vital research. This approach ensures more equitable access to transformative treatments. 

Sarah Jones, Head of Research and Innovation at UHNM, added, “We are thrilled by this announcement, as it will enable UHNM to expand not only our commercial research portfolio but also our entire research and innovation infrastructure. This will create a sustainable platform for ongoing research opportunities. By collaborating with community partners, we aim to ensure patient-centred research that is inclusive and accessible. Our goal is to introduce individuals to research in a supportive, welcoming environment.
 
“This exciting development represents a significant step forward in bringing cutting-edge healthcare to the communities that need it most.”