St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, based in Tooting, was the seventh top Trust in England for participation in life science industry research.

In the twelve month period between April 2017 and March 2018, there were 1,022 participants in life science industry research studies at the Trust.

Wandsworth Clinical Commission Group (CCG) was the tenth highest CCG in the country for participation in life science industry research with 423 participants.

The new figures were published by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the health body responsible for supporting and facilitating clinical research studies across England. The NIHR publishes its annual performance figures each year, including studies funded/run by life sciences industry, or by non-commercial organisations such as charities.

In the previous year (2016/17) just 379 patients took part in life science industry research at St George’s – results this year represented a 170% increase. 

Across England, NIHR recruited over 50,000 participants to health studies sponsored by the life sciences industry – an  increase of 45% this year (up from 35,000 participants in 2016/17).

After suffering a stroke, Mary Ryan took part in the PISTE trial at St George’s Hospital. The stroke had paralysed the right side of her body leaving her unable to talk. Mary recalls, “The drug they were using wasn’t working and they had an experimental procedure they said they could use. My husband agreed to the operation. My whole church were praying.

“They inserted a tube in my groin and said lie very still; they whipped out the clot and immediately I could talk again. By the end of the day I was getting some movement back in my arm and leg. I play the piano and within a week I was reasonably competent at doing that again; after a major stroke!”

Across the country, a record number people in England took part in clinical research studies with over 725,000 people participating in all types of NIHR-supported studies – a 9% increase on the figures from 2016/17 and a 28% increase since 2010/2011.

NIHR Clinical Research Network Chief Executive Jonathan Sheffield said: “By taking part in life sciences industry studies, patients are participating in new and innovative forms of treatment which will provide evidence for future improved care for all patients. The knowledge gained could provide the evidence to license new treatments in the NHS securing healthy lives for future generations.

“Partnerships between the NHS and the life sciences industry bring a range of benefits to the healthcare sector – giving trusts access to new treatments and funding for health research, while also boosting the wider economy each year through the development of cutting edge medical innovations.

“Health research is the key to finding new and innovative cures, treatments and care for patients. Evidence also shows research active organisations consistently deliver better outcomes to all patients they treat, not just those involved in health research trials.

“We aim to ensure research is embedded in all aspects of care delivered in England. We also wish to provide an opportunity for anyone to be involved in a health research study.  With nearly three quarters of a million participants in the last year we are moving closer to achieving this.”

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