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Research colleagues across NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHL Group) will be celebrating the life-changing impact that clinical trials can have on the care of patients this month, as we mark International Clinical Trials Day 2025. Taking place on 20 May, International Clinical Trials Day honours the pioneering work of James Lind, who conducted the first-ever clinical trial in 1747. To mark the occasion, the organisation’s Mobile Research Unit will be visiting Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, offering free health checks to patients and staff, alongside showcasing how research is shaping the future of healthcare. Since launching earlier this year, the mobile unit has been bringing essential research services directly into local communities, making it easier for residents to take part in vital health studies. It also offers important services such as bowel cancer screening, helping to increase access to life-saving health interventions across the region. Research staff will be at all three locations to share insights into how clinical research is addressing some of the region’s biggest health challenges, including respiratory diseases and head and neck cancers. Dr Yana Richens OBE Director of Midwifery at Liverpool Women’s University Hospital said, “Our teams are committed to reducing inequalities through recruiting greater diversity in research and clinical trials. The evidence is clear for patients who participate in research that their outcomes are improved. We have a duty to actively inform and recruit patients to research and even more so for those from underrepresented groups". Dr Hassan Burhan, Respiratory Consultant and Research Lead at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, is a key member of the team tackling respiratory diseases. Through research, the team are dedicated to improving treatment options and quality of life for patients suffering from conditions like asthma and other respiratory illnesses which are prevalent in our local population. Dr Burhan said: “Respiratory diseases are a significant concern here in Merseyside, and through our research, we are making important strides toward better treatments for our patients and improved outcomes. “Events such as International Clinical Trials Day really help to raise awareness of the importance of taking part in clinical research and encourage clinicians to offer more research opportunities to their patients. Participation offers not only new treatment options, but also the chance for enhanced monitoring and regular check-ups. “If you are living with asthma, COPD, or another respiratory condition—or even if you’re a healthy volunteer interested in participating in research - I encourage you to get in touch with us.” Professor Terry Jones, Director of Research and Innovation at the UHL Group, emphasised the organisation's ongoing commitment to improving public health through innovative research. Professor Jones said: “At the UHL Group, we are dedicated to tackling the critical health challenges facing Merseyside through collaborative and forward-thinking research. “International Clinical Trials Day allows us to recognise the progress we’ve made, whilst also reminding us of the ongoing work happening every day to improve healthcare.” This year, the city has seen the launch of the NIHR Cheshire and Merseyside Clinical Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) hosted by the UHL Group. One of twenty-one CRDCs forming a national network, this region-wide collaboration will empower local research teams to tackle critical health challenges such as respiratory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular health. Professor Jones continued: “The NIHR Cheshire and Merseyside Clinical Research Delivery Centre will be a vital resource in expanding access to clinical trials for our local communities across the whole of Cheshire and Merseyside. “It will enable us to address pressing health issues like respiratory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions more effectively, ensuring that innovative treatments are accessible to those who need them the most.” The UHL Group continues to lead the way in making clinical trials accessible to all, reaching out to communities across Merseyside. By empowering research teams and creating more opportunities for community participation, the UHL Group is committed to improving the health and well-being of Merseyside’s population.
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