Research partners join Trust for official opening of Clinical Research Facility

Researchers at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust are hoping to increase and widen their range of work thanks to the completion of a new unit.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at University Hospital, Coventry, provides the dedicated facilities, support and expertise required to conduct high quality clinical studies.

An Inpatient Research Unit containing two beds, allowing trial participants to remain overnight, was the final stage of the development and recently welcomed its first patient. 

An official opening took place on Friday 8th March with research partners from Coventry City Council, Coventry and Warwick Universities, local NHS Trusts and Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) all taking a look at the facilities.

Professor Harpal Randeva, Director of Research and Development, said: “We know that patients want to take part in research. Having dedicated inpatient research beds means that we can offer more research opportunities to patients across Coventry and Warwickshire.

“We have a great team who continue to enhance our reputation as a leading Trust for research and development and I’m excited to see what new findings they will uncover in the coming months and years.”

CRFs have been involved in some of the world’s most advanced medical innovations, transforming the lives of patients with a wide range of conditions.

They allow researchers and companies to undertake early phase interventional studies and high intensity or high complexity elements of later phase projects.

The facilities in the Inpatient Research Unit, which include an en-suite bathroom, nurse station and access to kitchen facilities, mean the Trust can expand its offering.

The first patient to use the unit was involved in testing a drug for neuroendocrine cancer and other projects are being planned, including one in ophthalmology.

Senior Research Nurse, Susan Coburn, said: “These studies are about trying to improve quality of life for participants.

“We want to push the boundaries of medicine but everything is about patient safety. That is the top priority.”

The CRF also has a Research Treatment Centre, an area for outpatients or day patients comprising six treatment chairs, a participant toilet and nurse station.