Words by Isabel O’Brien
The UK government has set out an ambitious 10 Year Health Plan, promising to transform clinical trials and revitalise the UK’s reputation as a scientific superpower. Ministers say millions will gain access to research opportunities through the NHS App, with the aim of speeding up processes and broadening participation.
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, described the plan as a chance for the UK to “marry the genius of our country’s leading scientific minds, with the care and compassion of our health service, to put NHS patients at the front of the queue for new cutting-edge treatments”. The initiative will see the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) ‘Be Part of Research’ service integrated into the NHS App, enabling patients to search and register for trials that match their needs. In time, the app will use health data to automatically notify users about relevant studies.
The government’s strategy will also introduce a national recruitment drive, with an explicit focus on reaching underrepresented groups such as young people, Black people and those of South Asian heritage. The aim is to ensure clinical research reflects the diversity of the UK population and addresses historical gaps.
A key feature of the plan is transparency: all NHS trusts and organisations will be required to publically report on their clinical trial activity. This will reveal which trusts are leading or lagging, and future funding will be directed towards those demonstrating their commitment. “We know the benefits of embedding clinical research across the NHS and beyond. It leads to better care for patients, more opportunities for our workforce and provides a huge economic benefit for our health and care system,” said Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser, the Department of Health and Social Care, and CEO, NIHR1.
The government will also seek to cut commercial clinical trial set-up times, from around 250 days to 150 days or less by March 2026. Under the new plan, trial operators will be able to run trials under a single, standardised contract with the entire NHS, rather than negotiating separate agreements with individual trusts as is currently the case. This move is intended to streamline administrative processes and address the bureaucracy that has long frustrated both researchers and sponsors.
While the roadmap has been broadly welcomed by research charities and industry groups, some observers note that success will depend on sustained investment and the ability to build trust with communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in clinical research. Others highlight the need for accountability and the importance of translating policy into tangible improvements for patients and the NHS workforce.
The government insists these reforms will restore the UK’s position as a world leader in clinical trials, drive economic growth and deliver earlier access to innovative treatments for patients across the country.
