The Manchester Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility (WTCRF) was established in 2001 to support clinical research studies from a wide range of disciplines, led by investigators in both adult (inpatient/outpatient) and paediatric studies.

The Facility is a joint initiative between the Wellcome Trust, the University of Manchester, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and the Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust.

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 assist clinical researchers throughout the research process from trial design to data collection and management. All studies that take place in the Facility have ethical approval and are peer-reviewed.

The WTCRF helps investigators to run studies to Good Clinical Practice guidelines; it also provides a comprehensive research environment, including a highly skilled clinical research workforce, which enables investigators to conduct research studies in a timely and safe manner. In addition to this, the WTCRF offers clinical staff support and statistical and IT support to researchers whilst their studies are being conducted at the Facility.

Some of the facilities available at the WTCRF include:

More recently the WTCRF have opened a specialist inpatient and day case children’s research facility, the first in the North West and one of only a select few across the UK. The Wellcome Trust Children’s Clinical Research Facility (WTCCRF) is based in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and offers a highly skilled team of specialist staff who are trained in children’s care, with great experience in both research studies and clinical practice. For more information see the WTCCRF website.

Both facilities are well equipped, modern and provide a comfortable environment, with access to state of the art technology, which enables everyone involved; patients, volunteers and researchers to gain maximum benefit from the research projects hosted by the facilities.

For further information, including project application forms and guidance, please visit the WTCRF website or contact the Research Study Manager at rsm@wtcrf.nhs.uk. Tours of the facilities may also be arranged through the Research Study Manager.