A dedicated space for patients to take part in life-changing research, the Dorset Clinic Trials Unit, has officially opened at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
Based within the University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) NHS Foundation Trust's clinical research centre, the new unit provides a specialist environment for patients to see expert staff and access state-of-the-art equipment, as well as providing an opportunity for staff at UHD to develop their research skills. The facility, funded through a £500k Getting Building Fund award from Dorset LEP, will support the development of research across the Dorset healthcare system, helping to strengthen research evidence in priority areas of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Research is fundamental to providing patients with the best possible treatments, which has been further highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This significant need for investment in improving health and care through research has culminated in this facility in Dorset, the newest clinical trials unit in the country, with a wide remit to investigate various health conditions and treatment strategies. It will provide the opportunity for patients to be involved in high calibre NIHR and charity-funded research studies in safe and comfortable surroundings.
The new facility will also give Dorset companies the chance to work with NHS trusts in order to evaluate and deliver health and medical innovations, clinical products and clinical practice enhancements.
Laura Purandare, Head of Research and Development at UHD, said: “We are so excited to be launching the DCTU and seeing the investment made by Dorset LEP come alive. With our local population of over 65’s expected to grow by 22% by 2029, this investment in research will help us support people to ‘age well’. The trials unit and research centre provides the environment and infrastructure for us to work closely with fellow health and social care providers in the region which will clearly benefit patients within the county and nationally.”
By 2025 it is hoped this project will have created/safeguarded more than 40 jobs, assisted 14 businesses/ institutions and in terms of economic productivity, will have generated almost £3.4m gross value added for the local economy.
Cecilia Bufton, Chair of Dorset LEP said: “This new centre provides a much-needed facility for the delivery of research-led, medical innovations, right here in Dorset. It will enable Dorset to retain skilled researchers and attract new talent to increase collaborative working, with the aim of building spin-outs and academic start-ups.
“The healthcare sector is of vital importance to Dorset’s economy, delivering care to local residents and others who travel to the area for specialist treatments. Health and care services are provided by highly skilled individuals, who increasingly rely on new medicines, technologies and processes, all of which must be evidence-based. The Dorset Clinical Trials Unit will provide local teams with the research facilities they need to develop care programmes for the people of Dorset, that can be rolled out across other parts of the country. With our ageing population, Dorset is well-placed to act as a test-bed for the rest of the UK. The knowledge, skills and innovations that can be achieved through this facility will surely further enhance Dorset’s reputation as a leader in this field of medical science.”
This facility will also enable medical science research, education and practice through UHD's relationship with Bournemouth University, facilitating mutual access to clinical study design, healthcare statistics, and public engagement.
Read more about this project at: www.dorsetlep.co.uk/dorset-clinical-trials-unit
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Notes to editors
Dorset LEP
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is a business led private and public sector partnership, promoting local economic growth and prosperity. Dorset LEP deliver projects that support and develop infrastructure, housing, skills, enterprise and business growth to achieve long-term economic benefit for all in Dorset.
For more information visit the Dorset LEP website http://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/
Getting Building Fund
On 4 August 2020, the government confirmed the list of over 300 successful projects which will receive a share of £900m from the Getting Building Fund.
The full list of projects is available on GOV.UK.
The Getting Building Fund is investing in shovel-ready infrastructure projects to create jobs and support economic recovery across the country. Projects funded include:
- regeneration of town and city centres
- green infrastructure and clean energy
- transport and digital connectivity improvements
- unlocking of housing and business sites
- support for SMEs and learners.
The successful projects (over 300, nationally) are expected to deliver up to 85,000 jobs, over 1,500,000 sqm of commercial floor space, unlocking 45,000 homes, almost 1,000,000 sqm of public realm or green space improved or created, over 50,000 new learners assisted, and 65 million kgs of CO2 emissions saved.
All projects have been selected by Local Enterprise Partnerships and Mayoral Combined Authorities in each area and endorsed by the Housing Secretary.
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