UHNM opens North Midlands Commercial Research Delivery Centre

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has today officially opened its brand new £3.1million North Midlands Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) to further boost its research capacity and give more patients from across Staffordshire and surrounding areas better access to innovative treatments and clinical trials.

The new facility based at the Royal Stoke University Hospital brings together research teams, clinicians, academics and industry partners to support a growing range of studies and clinical trials, ensuring that more patients can access cutting-edge treatments locally.

Funded through £3.1 million of government investment, the North Midlands CRDC forms part of a UK-wide initiative of 21 CRDCs to improve the NHS’s ability to deliver high-quality research whilst improving health outcomes. 

The North Midlands CRDC was officially opened by Dr Simon Constable UHNM Chief Executive and patient Malcolm Scovell, who is taking part in myeloma research at UHNM. 

Dr Constable said: “We know that research-active organisations deliver better outcomes for patients, and that’s why research sits right at the heart of UHNM’s strategy. It’s absolutely right that we pursue research at all times in every area of care and there is no type of research that is out of our reach.

“Our goal is to make UHNM truly research-inclusive, where every speciality and every healthcare profession has the support and opportunity to take part in research that excites them and benefits their patients. We also want every patient to have access to the latest research and innovation no matter their condition.”

Following a diagnosis of myeloma in 2014, Malcom Scovell, a retired engineer from Nantwich, has been involved in two research trials at UHNM.

Speaking after the ribbon cutting, the 67-year-old said: “I feel incredibly proud to play even a small part in helping research move forward. I’ve been very fortunate with my treatment and this is my way of giving something back.

“As an engineer by background, I’ve spent my whole career believing in the power of research and innovation and I can’t imagine a world without it. It’s wonderful to see UHNM investing in research that will make a real difference for patients in the future.

“The care I’ve received at UHNM has been absolutely first class. My consultant has been so engaged, and the nursing staff have been fantastic. Having helped organise ribbon-cutting events in my career, it was quite special to be the one holding the scissors this time.”

The event was attended by partners from Keele University and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), who were joined members of UHNM’s Research and Innovation Department. 

Professor Kamaraj Karunanithi, director of research and Innovation at UHNM, said “The opening of the North Midlands CRDC marks a major milestone for UHNM and our local communities, helping us to reach people who rarely take part in NHS research by offering access to innovative treatments and expanding our research and innovation capacity.

“By working closely with community partners, we aim to make research more inclusive and accessible to those who need it most.”