The central role of the UKDCTN co-ordinating centre is to provide trial development support for its members.   If you have an idea for a clinical trial but are unsure of current regulatory requirements or don't have the time to put together a funding bid then we can help out.  We can assist with protocol development, funding applications, ethics applications and pilot/feasibility work.

The Network is able to:

• Facilitate and advise on development of trial protocol and co-ordinate study teams.
• Conduct membership surveys to assist with trial design.
• Co-ordinate and write applications for funding.
• Set up funded studies: obtain regulatory, ethical and host institution approvals.
• Supervise Trial Managers employed on specific research grants.
• Promote the benefits of collective effort within the Network.
• Encourage and develop the involvement of servise users/consumers.

Conducting a pilot study is highly likely to increase the probability that your main study will be funded.  We have  a small amount of financial resources available to fund some pilot work.  For further details about these finds go to the pump priming funds page.  To get started with your trial idea go to our 'submit a trial idea' page or contact Margaret McPhee for details.

If the pilot study is successful in its bid for funding the centre is able to undertake the bulk of aministrative work with regards to regulatory (MHRA) and central ethical approval along with local ethics and R&D approval. Site specific study set up materials can also be made available.

A key advantage of running your trial through the Network is help with patient recruitment. With over 500 members across the UK, the number of potential recruitment sites for your trial is high. 

In line with other clinical trials networks we have a policy for adopting non-commercial trials. Please click here for further details.