BWC proudly marking International Clinical Trials Day
Message from Matt Boazman, Chief Officer for Strategy and Innovation Officer
“International Clinical Trials Day is celebrated every year on 20 May to mark the day that James Lind began his famous trial into the deadly disease scurvy in 1747. The trial led to the discovery that citrus fruits high in vitamin C could prevent the disease – paving the way for the development of future trials and the emergence of vaccine developments to prevent diseases such as smallpox in the late 18th century.
“As well as celebrating the history of clinical trials, the date also provides us with an opportunity to recognise and thank everyone who has delivered, supported and volunteered to take part in clinical trials during the last year across the world.
“Research and participation in clinical trials is essential for both discovering new treatments and making sure we use existing treatments in the best possible ways; helping us to find answers to things that are unknown, filling gaps in knowledge and changing the way that healthcare is delivered.
“Throughout the last few years, the value of clinical trials and research has been clearly demonstrated during the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines have been developed, drugs tested, treatments evaluated and rolled out rapidly and, as an organisation, we have continued to play an active role in delivering a range of trials.
“Given the impact of the pandemic on wider research, it has become increasingly important throughout 2021/22 to focus on recovery and the delivery of our core research programmes and non-Covid activity, as well as developing new areas of research.
“Recovery of clinical trial activity is clearly challenging but we have been able to make significant progress with this during the last twelve months thanks to the amazing efforts of all of our researchers, research teams and support services.
“During 2020/21 we recruited 2,585 women, children, young people and their families to take part in clinical trials, but this increased to an amazing 6,645 participants during 2021/22, which is our second-best year ever in terms of recruitment to trials and also placed us as the second-highest provider across the West Midlands.
“We have continued to lead, sponsor and deliver a range of major trials across our women’s and children’s services and have also made really positive progress within our mental health services with increased trial participation and recruitment.
“Working jointly with our partners at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and as part of Birmingham Health Partners we have also recently been successful in securing £12.9million of funding to enable us to continue to provide the Clinical Research Facility (CRF), which is crucial for our ability to deliver early phase clinical trials and support experimental medicine over the next five years
“As always all of this is only possible thanks to the continued support of our women, children and families and I would like to thank all of you for putting your trust in us and choosing to participate in research and clinical trials."
Happy International Clinical Trials Day.