Feasibility

At the CRN we will support the life sciences industry to  place their study more strategically to optimise study performance, through our Plan, Place and Perform service. We can help:

• Identify sites for a  study. The Coordinating Centre will contact all LCRNs to quickly gather expressions of interest from investigators at sites throughout the NHS, including primary care (general practice) and social care. This service can also be used if some sites have already been selected but more are needed. (Site Identification)

• Data-driven site selection. Our national, real-time, research activity data can then help to decide which sites offer the best recruitment potential.

• Site intelligence is the service offered when sites have been selected already by the sponsor. The Coordinating Centre reaches out to all LCRNs where there are selected sites, the LCRN is then able to confirm sites participants, start discussions with sites about targets and identify any potential challenges to study delivery 

• Faster costing and contracting negotiations. The UK’s unified approach to research costing and contracting can further support clinical trial site selection strategy and minimise negotiation time during study set-up.

• Study Milestone Service. This is the national service where sites confirm the arranged targets with sponsors and what the sites performance will be managed against. 

• At a local level we have expert knowledge and relationships with the research teams at site, this means that we are able to ensure that studies are sent to the appropriate site and potential investigators. We are also at early stages able to advise which sites in our areas will see the appropriate patient population. This is particularly beneficial at the stage of early scoping. 

The infographic below explains how this is delivered by us locally.