NHS App to Boost Clinical Trial Participation

The UK government will enable millions of NHS App users to search for and join clinical trials, integrating the platform with the NIHR Be Part of Research service to match patients with relevant studies and notify them of new opportunities. This initiative aims to boost participation, especially among underrepresented groups, and to reverse the UK's recent decline as a destination for clinical trials. A standardized national contract will be introduced to reduce bureaucratic delays and cut clinical trial set-up times from 250 days to 150 days by March 2026. NHS Trusts will be ranked on their support for trials, with top performers prioritized for future funding. Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the reforms will help the UK regain leadership in life sciences, generate funds for the NHS, and accelerate the development of treatments for conditions like cancer and dementia. The government also hopes to attract more pharmaceutical investment and restore the UK's global position in medical research.