Official seal of approval for University of Central Lancashire’s Clinical Trials Unit

The University of Central Lancashire’s clinical trials unit has been awarded full registration status after almost five successful years working under a provisional standing.

This recognition for the Lancashire Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) makes it only the second in the North West Coast region to hold this fully registered status, which is awarded by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC).

 It joins a group of 49 units nationally, which are recognised as having the experience and facilities to design and co-ordinate robust clinical studies into improving health and care for patients.

The unit, based at the University’s Preston Campus, is the only fully-registered CTU in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Since being awarded provisional status in January 2020, it has been involved with a number of key trials, most notably the STIMULATE-ICP Study, a large, long-Covid trial which has successfully completed the recruitment of 1,145 participants. 

 The study portfolio also includes, amongst others, the COMMITS (Confirming the Mechanism of Motivational Interviewing Therapy after Stroke) trial, which is testing ways to support adjustment to life after stroke and is in the recruitment phase, and the MANTRA trial, which is just starting and will determine the dose and duration of antibiotics needed after surgery for a broken jaw.

The Lancashire CTU Director Professor Dame Caroline Watkins said: “We are delighted and proud to be the first fully-registered CTU in Lancashire and South Cumbria. This recognition is testament to the progress the CTU has made over the last few years and means that more vital health and social care research can be conducted in the region, which will benefit the community both socially and economically.”

 Adding further strength to the Lancashire CTU, the Unit will welcome back Chris Sutton as Professor of Clinical Trials in January 2025.

Chris worked at the University of Central Lancashire for almost 30 years before moving to the University of Manchester in 2018 to become a senior lecturer in Clinical Trial Statistics in the Centre for Biostatistics (his current role), and deputy director (Methodology) and Lead Statistician for Manchester CTU until its closure in 2023.

He brings with him a wealth of experience as he returns to the University.

He said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the University of Central Lancashire, and Lancashire CTU in particular. 

"Following the award of full registration by UKCRC, I’m really looking forward to working with Professor Watkins and the rest of the team to enhance and broaden the CTU’s strengths. 

“My recent experience and ongoing collaborations in mental health trials will develop its portfolio in this key area of healthcare.  Likewise, my methodological collaborations in trial conduct research, including the development and evaluation of interventions to improve the inclusivity of under-represented groups, links perfectly with the CTU’s burgeoning research in this area.”

 The UKCRC Network is working to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research and provides a forum for partners across the county to work together to transform the clinical research environment.

The UKCRC brings together the NHS, research funders, industry, regulatory bodies, Royal Colleges, patient groups and academics, in a UK-wide environment that facilitates and promotes high quality clinical research for the benefit of patients.

More information about the Lancashire CTU and how to work with the Unit is available on the University’s website - https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/institutes/life/lancashire-clinical-trials-unit