The UCLH/UCL Clinical Research Facility (CRF) represents a collaboration between UCLH NHS Foundation Trust and University College London to create a purpose built environment to accommodate clinical research with an emphasis on experimental medicine. The guiding principles of the CRF are that it caters for the needs of research volunteers and investigators by providing a safe and efficient setting in which the highest quality research can be conducted as rapidly and effectively as possible. Patient safety and the quality of research guide all aspects of the UCLH/UCL CRF.
Extensive refurbishment, funded by the NIHR, Wellcome Trust and Wolfson Foundation, has created 20 beds, a new clinical laboratory, an endoscopy room, a physiology suite, a dispensary and a trial pharmacy. Offices and meeting rooms for staff accommodate research nurses, medical staff, administrative staff and the Clinical Directors.
In addition to providing purpose built facilities for research subjects and investigators, the CRF has an education and training role, establishing and maintaining the highest levels of adherence to research governance and good clinical practice. The CRF hosts studies from a wide range of disciplines and specialties funded by public and private sector funders. Many of the studies are funded by research councils and major charities as well as collaborations with industry and contract research.
The purpose of the CRF is to host and promote the highest quality research in order to benefit the public by providing the safest and best facilities for clinical research. In doing so the CRF ensures the highest probability of investigators completing their studies as quickly as possible and to the highest standards.
For more information about cancer trials at the CRF and the UCLH/UCL Cancer Clinical Research Facility (CCRF) go to the web pages of the CCRF.