New Research Hub to boost mental health and dementia clinical trials in Norfolk and Suffolk
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has been awarded £452,000 from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to develop new specialist research facilities.
The award, jointly led by Dr Jon Wilson, Research Director, and Dr Faisil Sethi, Chief Medical Officer, will pay for the renovation of a former ward and specialist equipment needed to deliver cutting-edge clinical trials in mental health, dementia and neurodevelopmental conditions. This will open up opportunities for communities in Norfolk and Suffolk to take part in clinical trials, such as new drug trials.
Dr Bonnie Teague, Head of Research at NSFT, said: “The facilities will include dedicated space to support people wanting to take part in mental health, dementia and neurodevelopmental research. In addition, there will be a digital access room and confidential interview facilities. We also plan to set up a laboratory with specialist equipment required to conduct drug trials safely.”
She said the new facility was ideally placed geographically to attract new drug trial research, being close to the airport and major road systems alongside pharmacy services and wards. Work began in April and the unit will be open by March 2028.
The application was supported with a public consultation in the region, where 100% of those involved, who have mental ill-health or dementia, supported the project.
Bonnie said: “Everyone involved said the facility would be important to engage people from rural and coastal communities across Norfolk and Suffolk. We will also be asking our communities to be involved as advisors to ensure that there is shared ownership of the facility with our service users.”
The number of people in the region who will have dementia is estimated to double in the next 20 years. Many younger people are also needing mental health care and new treatments.
“Many people living in Norfolk and Suffolk need to travel long distances to cities like Cambridge or London to be part of drug trial research for mental health or dementia,” said Dr Jon Wilson. “Those three or four-hour journeys put people off getting involved and we wanted to reduce those barriers for our rural and coastal communities.”
Dr Sethi said the award was fantastic news for the Trust. “We’re excited about the potential of this project and what it means for our service users. It means more opportunities for them to be involved in clinical trials and the benefits that could mean for treating their conditions.”
The research team are now running roadshows across villages and at local events to spread the word and gain more feedback. The Trust will also set up a research community advisory and champions board, where it will encourage rural communities to share their voice about research.
The funding is part of a £47.8 million award for equipment that will increase the ability of the NHS to deliver high-quality commercial research, as part of the Government’s aim to turbocharge clinical trials.
It has been funded by a partnership between the government and the pharmaceutical industry, called the Voluntary Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme.
This funding will provide essential equipment to 51 NHS Trusts and 79 primary care organisations across England. The initiative prioritises widening research access and improving recruitment for communities across all of England and will focus on addressing bottlenecks in research delivery.