United Kingdom Clinical Research Network (UKCRN)

The Department of Health, on behalf of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC), is leading the work to establish a new UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN).

The purpose of the UKCRN is to provide a world-class health service infrastructure to support clinical research. It will facilitate the conduct of randomised prospective trials of interventions (including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care) and other well designed studies in the broad area of clinical research. It will support research funded by both commercial and non-commercial organisations.

The UKCRN will consist of a managed set of Clinical Research Networks.

The initial networks will cover cancer, mental health, medicines for children, diabetes, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

Over time, it is intended that the UKCRN will enable research to be conducted across the full spectrum of disease and clinical need.

The Clinical Research Networks will provide the dedicated research nurses, data managers, medical staff sessions, NHS service sessions, information systems etc. needed to support high-quality randomised trials and other well designed research studies.

A consortium of the University of Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, MRC Clinical Trials Unit and University College London has been selected to be the Coordinating Centre for UKCRN and will assist the Department of Health in managing the implementation of the UKCRN.

For further information on the UKCRN please visit their site