Review group fast-tracks virus research, but says no corners cut

NHS research projects related to coronavirus have been fast-tracked by the regulator, with approval times slashed from 60 days to just 24 hours.

More than 350 studies into Covid-19 have been approved by the Health Research Authority since mid-March, among them 52 deemed urgent public health studies, funded by government, which together have recruited almost 130,000 patients.

While the larger studies, such as the Recovery trial which discovered that dexamethasone can help patients who require oxygen, aim to develop diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines, others focus on behavioural or observational aspects. They include topics as diverse as the consequences of neonatal infection, the effect of social isolation on Parkinson’s Disease patients and the mental health impact on NHS staff. Juliet Tizzard, director of policy at the HRA, said the pandemic had highlighted the crucial role research played in saving lives.

“Research is often seen as a bit of a sideshow to clinical care done by clever academics,” she said.

“What’s been shown here is that research is central to the way that care is provided with Covid-19.”

She said the study sites that had recruited patients most successfully were those where medics had presented the research as “part of the way they were managing the disease”.

“That’s how research should be seen at all times, but sadly isn’t,” she added.

Ms Tizzard said that all involved, from the financial backers to the volunteers sitting on research and ethics committees, had “thrown everything” at the “unique” situation to get the studies up and running.

Projects identified as urgent by Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, have been turned around in 24 hours, while around 60 per cent of Covid-related applications are reviewed in less than 72 hours and the rest within a week.

David Carpenter, chair of the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, insisted there had been no relaxation of standards. “We are not cutting corners, but we have got to get these studies reviewed quickly and thoroughly,” he said. The fast-track system has proved so successful that the HRA is now looking into whether its model for reviewing research could be adapted permanently.

Ms Tizzard said she also hoped to harness the level of public engagement for future studies.