Royal Devon has secured a £1.4 million grant to establish a pioneering clinical research facility in North Devon.
- The hub will address regional health inequalities, focusing on heart studies and chronic conditions.
- The first of its kind in North Devon, the facility is aimed at improving health outcomes for local patients.
- The centre will potentially attract leading clinicians and enable expanded research studies.
- Funding was awarded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research to 30 trusts, including Royal Devon.
Royal Devon has received £1.4 million to create a novel clinical research hub at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple. This funding is directed at establishing a facility that promises to drive groundbreaking research within the region. It marks a significant investment in the capacity for conducting specialised studies, particularly those related to heart health and chronic ailments such as lower back pain, joint problems, and osteoarthritis.
This initiative represents the first dedicated clinical research centre in North Devon, a development that is poised to address specific regional health challenges. As described by a leading NHS trust official, this hub will be instrumental in mitigating health inequalities facing the local population. By offering enhanced opportunities for patient participation in research, it is envisaged that overall health outcomes will see marked improvements.
Professor Helen Quinn, who leads research and development at Royal Devon, expressed considerable optimism about the project. She highlighted that hospitals with active research programmes tend to deliver better health outcomes universally. “This new centre will ensure we can expand the number of research studies we can deliver in North Devon which will empower us to tackle health inequalities specific to our region,” she stated, underlining the direct benefits to the local communities.
The financial grant was secured following a successful application process to the National Institute for Health and Care Research, placing Royal Devon among 30 trusts to receive funding. This endorsement reflects the trust’s ambitious commitment to fostering a robust research culture, deemed essential for enhancing healthcare services. The centre not only promises advancements in clinical research but is also expected to draw top-tier clinicians motivated by the prospects of contributing to pioneering research.
According to Sam Higginson, Chief Executive of Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the facility represents a transformative opportunity for the community. He emphasised the trust’s dedication to integrating research as a cornerstone of improved healthcare access. Higginson further indicated that this development holds the potential for attracting esteemed clinicians across all career stages, thus enriching the local healthcare landscape.
The new clinical research hub signifies a transformative step for healthcare innovation and equality in North Devon.
