Research & Development Directorate

Support for Researchers > Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility

Introduction to the Facility The Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility is a new three storey building purpose designed for patient-oriented clinical research. The facility is a joint initiative between the Wellcome Trust, the University of Manchester, Central Manchester & Manchester Children’s University Hospitals Trust, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust. The building comprises a dedicated and highly trained team of research nurses, in and out-patient facilities, human performance assessment, blood and tissue processing laboratories, statistical support and IT support. The facility also has a seminar room with state of the art audio-visual equipment as well as hot-desking services to allow researchers computer access while the study is being conducted. Plans are also underway to have dedicated imaging facilities including MRI and bone densitometry.

The aim of the facility is to support and encourage high calibre research and ensure that it is conducted to the highest possible standards. To facilitate this aim, procedures are in place to enable clinical researchers to have access to assistance throughout the research process from trial design to data collection and management. All studies that take place in the facility will have ethical approval, be peer-reviewed and the WTCRF will assist investigators to run studies to Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Clinical care is conducted in accordance with agreed procedures and protocols as well as clinical governance guidelines. Ten percent of all studies conducted through the facility will be subject to external audit, thus ensuring that the high standards are maintained. The CRF is a new three storey building purpose designed for efficient patient-oriented clinical research. It was funded by a £3.4 million grant from the Wellcome Trust and opened for business in late 2001. The state of the art facilities along with a team of experienced and trained research nurses provides a unique environment to cultivate advances in biomedical research that will ultimately lead to improvements in healthcare.

Further information including project application forms, guidance and contact details are available from the WTCRF web site.