The figures have been published today by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NuTH), The North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) and Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) have retained or improved on their position in the NIHR NHS Research Activity League Table 2016/17.

The league table highlights the extent of NHS research happening across England and the number of participants being recruited into studies. This year’s results show that 65% of trusts across the country increased their research activity, contributing to the drive for better treatments for all NHS patients.

NuTH has retained its position as the country’s top performing trust for the number of studies it supported for the sixth year running. The Trust has increased its number of clinical research studies to 528 during the last year and the number of participants taking part in clinical research rose to 12,575.

Louise Robson, Acting Chief Executive for The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust responded by saying: “As a Trust, we are committed to delivering the best possible care to patients by supporting research, which can help improve the lives of people regionally, nationally and internationally. The skill and dedication of our team of medical professionals in the clinical research field must be recognised as the driving force behind this achievement and the consistently high standards set.”

 Regional highlights include:

• The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has retained its position as the country’s top performing trust for the number of studies it supported for the sixth year running.
• ​The North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised as the top performing Ambulance Trust for the number of studies supported in the country.
• ​Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has retained its position as the third best Mental Health Trust for the number of studies supported nationally.
• South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been ranked 22nd in the country for the number of clinical research studies it supported last year​

Role of Biomedical Research Centre

As a partnership between the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust and Newcastle University, the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre relies on the participation of patients and public to perform pioneering research activity. The BRC award, worth over £16m was announced last year by the Department of Health and aims to improve lives through world-class research in ageing and long-term conditions.

The NIHR Newcastle BRC is to build on excellence in experimental medicine in five key research themes; dementia, liver disease, musculoskeletal disease, neuromuscular disease, and skin and oral disease. 

The outstanding figure for NuTH not only supports the vital research activity which contributes to the drive for better treatments for all NHS patients, but it also highlights the value of the investment made by the NIHR into the North East and North Cumbria. In Newcastle alone, the NIHR have invested millions into translational research activity between Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University.

The NIHR figures include recognition for commercial research activity as collaboration with industry is vital to enable the NHS to deliver first class clinical research, speeding up the development and availability of new treatments, therapies and diagnostics. Within the NIHR Newcastle BRC, relationships with industry partners to facilitate the translation of science into patient benefit is a high priority and has already produced a number of positive developments.

In 2016/17 more than 34,000 participants received opportunities to take part in over 1,570 clinical research studies in NHS Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups within the North East and North Cumbria region. Nationally, the number of participants recruited into clinical research studies across England in 2016/17 exceeded 665,000, the highest number of clinical research participants in any given year.