£3.5 Million Boost for Cornwall’s NHS – What It Means for Patients

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) has secured £3.5 million in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to establish a Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) in Cornwall. The investment, spread over seven years, marks the first of its kind for the county and is set to significantly expand opportunities for local patients to participate in groundbreaking healthcare research.

Expanding Research Opportunities in Cornwall

The funding will at least double the number of research studies available to Cornwall’s population, giving patients access to cutting-edge clinical trials that were previously only conducted in larger hospital trusts. RCHT is one of just 21 NHS Trusts across the UK selected to host a CRDC, an initiative designed to speed up research into next-generation treatments.

Steve Williamson, Chief Executive of RCHT, expressed pride in the selection, stating:

“We are incredibly proud to be selected by the NIHR as one of a handful of clinical research hubs across the UK. This new initiative will allow us to deliver cutting-edge trials to our patients faster than ever before, boosting our research capacity and helping Cornwall play a vital role in the UK’s growing life sciences sector. For RCHT to be named as a CRDC is also a significant boost for our ambition to become a University Hospitals trust.”

Bringing Cutting-Edge Trials to Underserved Communities

The investment will introduce the latest medical research equipment and technology to Cornwall, expanding access to innovative treatments. Bianca Mills, Head of Research and Development at RCHT, described the move as a “transformative step forward” for research in Cornwall, adding:

“Having a CRDC at RCHT will be a transformative step forward for our research in Cornwall, enabling us to drive innovation and deliver world-class research that directly benefits our communities. The CRDC will serve as a cornerstone for collaboration across the region, uniting healthcare, academia, and industry to address some of the most pressing health challenges. We are deeply grateful to our partners and supporters who have helped bring this vision to life, and we look forward to continuing our work together to ensure its success.”

Boosting Cornwall’s Reputation in Medical Research

Dr Dave Tucker, Nominated CRDC Director and Consultant Haematologist at RCHT, highlighted the impact the funding will have on research development in Cornwall:

“This investment will catalyse the development of healthcare research in Cornwall, giving us the tools to work with more researchers – not just in hospitals but also with GP practices and beyond. It will empower us to offer pioneering research where it is really needed and massively enhance the reputation of Cornwall as a thriving research environment.”

Ella Stracey, Chief Performance and Transformation Officer at RCHT, added that the funding will not only benefit patients but also contribute to the UK’s position in global medical research:

“This is a fantastic investment that will drive the next generation of medical innovation. By providing patients in Cornwall and beyond with access to the latest clinical trials, we are playing our part in making sure that the UK remains at the forefront of medical research while boosting the economy through private sector collaboration. This is a truly exciting development for the Cornish Health System.”

A Step Forward for Cornwall’s Medical Innovation

Dr Jon Clarke, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, acknowledged Cornwall’s long-standing commitment to innovation and research, saying:

“Cornwall has a proud history of innovation and research, and this great news will continue this work. The grant will offer many more of our population the chance to be part of cutting-edge research that will shape the future of healthcare.”

This funding marks a significant milestone for Cornwall’s healthcare system, positioning RCHT as a key player in the UK’s medical research landscape. With increased access to clinical trials, advanced medical technology, and stronger collaboration between healthcare, academia, and industry, patients in Cornwall are set to benefit from some of the most innovative treatments available today.

Photo: RCHT research clinic area