Yorkshire health trust tops new league table for medical research

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust not only carried out the most studies, 322, but also recruited the fourth highest number of patients, 11,660, on to medical trials of all the NHS Trusts in England for 2010/11.

In Yorkshire, its efforts were followed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust, which carried out 200 research studies involving a total 4,965 patients; Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, with 121 studies and 5,070 patients; Bradford Teachings Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where 107 studies were under way involving 5,549 patients; and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where 1,407 patients took part in 79 studies.

Across the region, just over 52,000 patients were involved in clinical research, according to figures from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network, which experts say improves treatment and results for staff and patients.

Jonathan Sheffield, NIHR research network chief executive, said of Leeds: “This is fantastic news and illustrates that our partners in Leeds are truly placing research at the core of NHS business. Their recruitment of 11,660 patients indicates a strong commitment to research and innovation as well as their drive to improve clinical outcomes for patients.

“The league table helps us recognise the research commitment of NHS staff throughout England, but also shows that we still need to do more to put research on the radar in some areas of the NHS.”

Growing evidence suggests NHS organisations that are research-active appear to do better in overall performance, and this activity is linked to improved patient outcomes.

One Leeds patient said: “I’ve taken part in a number of studies over the past 10 years and, in my view, they’ve given me greater understanding of my condition. I also think the results could improve diagnosis and treatment, if not for me, then for anyone else who is also suffering.”

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health, urged all trusts to look at how they could increase the opportunities for patients to take part in research.