Innovative clinical research: delivering trials in the community

This FORUM workshop explored how to facilitate the uptake of decentralised and remote methods of trial delivery in the UK for the development of medicines.

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The event was co-chaired by Professor Paula Williamson FMedSci, Professor of Medical Statistics at the University of Liverpool and Professor Isla Mackenzie, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Dundee. It was run in partnership with the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Research Delivery Network (NIHR RDN).

Decentralised or remote methods of clinical trial delivery can make clinical trials more accessible, inclusive and patient-centred. Trials may be fully decentralised – conducted in people’s homes and/or local communities, rather than traditional research sites – or incorporate only some decentralised activities.

The UK has an opportunity to lead globally in this field, aligning with the UK Government’s commitment to shift care closer to the community and improve the speed and efficiency of clinical trials. Wider uptake will require clearer guidance, targeted training, and mechanisms to share learnings.

To explore these issues, the Academy of Medical Sciences, ABPI, and NIHR RDN convened a cross-sector FORUM workshop about decentralised trial delivery. The discussions highlighted the need for:

• Early engagement with trial participants, healthcare professionals and regulators in trial design
• Embedded evaluation to build an evidence base
• Raising awareness with the public and research community and sharing best practice between sponsors and trial teams
• Fit-for-purpose systems, skills/training, and processes to support delivery, including reviewing approaches to contracting and costing, and clearer interoperability standards.
• Establishing how neighbourhood health services, and primary, secondary and community care service, including the commercial research delivery centres (CRDCs) could support decentralised activities.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about the event.

This workshop was convened as part of the Academy’s FORUM policy programme, which is innovating UK R&D in health and life sciences. With the support of its member organisations, FORUM brings together experts across sectors for national discussions on scientific opportunities, technology trends and developments for health and life sciences.