Health trusts leading way in care

Clinical trials advancing the course of key medicines are alive and kicking among health trusts in Kent, according to the research arm of the NHS.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network says that all trusts in the South East, including Surrey and Sussex are ‘research active’, meaning they are including patients in studies designed to help improve treatments and care.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) undertook 77 clinical trial in 2015/16 involving 537 people, down 64.6% from 1,517 the from the previous year.

Chris Whitty, chief scientific adviser to the department of health said:“The support and infrastructure provided by the National Institute for Health Research has helped increase year on year the number of research opportunities offered within the NHS.

“Commercial partnerships supported by the Clinical Research Network continue to play a key role in bringing world-class research studies to the UK, benefiting our health service and ensuring new treatments are available to patients.”