Leicester patients to get early access to 'potentially life-changing' treatments
The Government has announced funding for clinical trials
Leicester patients are set to be among the first in line for “potentially life-changing” new treatments after the Government announced funding for clinical trials. One of 20 new research hubs is to be set up in the city, with trials to “build upon research into cancer and obesity”.
They will also look at treatments for infectious diseases such as flu and respiratory syntactical virus (RSV), the Government said today (Thursday, December 12). The funding is aimed at allowing those in “under-served regions” to be able to participate in research.
Speaking to the LDRS, Labour health minister Baroness Gillian Merron said this was “great news” for the city. She said: “This is going to allow local people to participate in research, which means access to new treatments which they wouldn’t otherwise be able to access, for example, dealing with cancer, obesity and heart a heart attacks.”
Baroness Merron added the funding was based on the principle that “prevention is better than a cure”.
“We want to see people living longer and healthier lives and, of course, if you have this kind of access to research, you’re looking to the future, but you’re also providing for now,” she continued. “So, it really is a step-change and I’m thrilled to see that there is this centre in Leicester.”
The minister added, during a trip to the city earlier this week, she spoke to a local woman, Mary, who is currently involved in a clinical trial after suffering a heart attack. She said: “What really struck me is what Mary said about the importance of taking part in a trial and being able to do it locally so that it doesn’t take much time for her to do that.
“She has access potentially to a life-changing treatment and she stressed that if she can save somebody else having a heart attack, she is glad to. So all credit to Mary and everyone else, and all the staff, who make this possible.”
The city is set to get £4.7 million over seven years for the new clinical trials, which will be take place in existing hospital space.
Professor Melanie Davies, Leicester’s clinical director of patient recruitment centre, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to host one of the new Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDC) here in Leicester and continue to build on our achievements as a Patient Recruitment Centre (PRC).
“It’s really important that research at all levels, including commercial research, is delivered in the NHS because we know that patients have better outcomes in healthcare settings where research takes place. Research brings new treatments more quickly to the benefit of patients and helps support the health and wealth of the nation.
“This new funding will enable us to continue to invest in research staff for the CRDC, based at the Leicester General Hospital, but also establish and develop research sites in the community, to make it easier for people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Northampton to access opportunities to take part in research.”