The UK Government has announced its 10-Year Health Plan to expedite clinical trials and transform patient care with new treatments.
The plan includes a streamlined process for setting up trials, with the goal of reducing commercial trial set-up duration to 150 days or less by March 2026.
Go deeper with GlobalData
People in the UK can soon search for and enrol in trials through the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s (NIHR) Be Part of Research service, accessible via the National Health Service (NHS) App.
This service aims to connect patients with trials that align with their health data and interests, with future updates to include automatic matching and push notifications for new trials.
The NIHR is also launching a nationwide campaign to boost trial participation. The focus is on increasing diversity among trial participants, with an emphasis on engaging young people, Black individuals, and those of South Asian heritage.
Transparency is said to be the key component of the 10-Year Health Plan, and NHS Trusts and organisations are needed to report on their trial activities.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataPublic reporting will detail the number of trials and progress made, highlighting the performance of NHS entities and influencing government investment decisions.
NHS England Clinical Transformation director Dr Vin Diwakar said: “The NHS App is transforming how people manage their healthcare, with new features letting them see their test results or check when prescriptions are ready to collect – all at the tap of a screen.
“We’re making it easier to sign up for clinical trials through the NHS App so patients can access new treatments and technologies earlier, improving their quality of care.”
According to the government, the new plan will launch a national standardised contract, simplifying paperwork and eliminating redundant technical assurances.
All trial approval backlogs have been cleared, and performance targets are being met. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will now concentrate on regulating advanced treatments, such as personalised cancer vaccines and AI in healthcare.
Recently, the NHS announced that it is receiving a £29bn ($39.1bn) funding boost, reflecting a 3% annual rise on current levels over the next three years to reach £226bn by 2029.
