Oxford University Hospitals in top five trusts for research activity

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the top trusts leading the way in providing opportunities for patients to take part in clinical research studies.

Highlighted in a league table published for the first time by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network, Oxford University Hospitals recruited the fifth highest number of patients in England (11,412) in 2010/11, to the seventh highest number of studies (220).

Praising the achievement of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Dr Jonathan Sheffield, Chief Executive of the NIHR Clinical Research Network, said:

"This is fantastic news and illustrates that our partners at OUH are truly placing research at the core of NHS business.

Their recruitment of 11,412 patients indicates a strong commitment to research and innovation as well as their drive to improve clinical outcomes for patients. We are keen to see other trusts follow their example and truly embed research as a standard option within their care culture.

"We know that 97 percent of trusts take part in research, but it's important to look behind that figure to see the true picture. 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."

Fostering a research-active culture brings a host of benefits for patients, clinicians and the NHS. It drives innovation, gives rise to better and more cost-effective treatments, and creates opportunities for staff development.

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

Commenting on the league table results, Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health, said:

"Clinical research is not just for the large teaching hospitals - it is absolutely core business for all NHS trusts. A recent MORI poll showed that 72 percent of people would want to be offered the chance to take part in a clinical trial if they had a health condition that was affecting their daily life.

Data from the NIHR Clinical Research Network shows us that high quality research is happening, but we could be doing more. We need all trusts to look at how they can increase the opportunities for patients to take part in research."

To view the research activity league table in full visit: www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/nhs-performance

For more information please contact:

Emma Bender, Communications Officer, NIHR Clinical Research Network

Tel: 0113 343 0330
Email: emma.j.bender@nihr.ac.uk