The Bristol Trials Centre team are experts in the design and conduct of high quality pragmatic randomised controlled trials. These type of trials assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of health care interventions in real world settings. These trials are critical to inform decision making for policy makers, patients and clinicians.
Some examples of health care interventions include the design and conduct of Clinical Trials of investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPs), these studies evaluate the safety of efficacy of a drug. We also support clinical investigations of medical devices.
We work in partnership with Chief Investigators and their associated teams from initial design through to publication of primary results. We provide expertise in trial methodology, statistics, qualitative research and health economics research.
Bristol Trials Centre benefits from being embedded within the Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol. The University of Bristol was ranked 5th for research in the UK following the last Research Excellence Framework assessment (REF 2021) with 94% of it’s research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent including a number of clinical trials that were part of the submission. The University also benefits from being part of the GW4 alliance, with the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter bringing together a high concentration of research expertise and capability in the South West of England and Wales. The collaboration enables the group to explore and identify opportunities where their combined research strength can more effectively address global challenges, while also maximising the impact of and return on investment from research funding.
Furthermore, Bristol Trials Centre benefits from strong links with NHS partners, including local NHS trusts (UHBW, NBT, AWP), the local Integrated Care Board (BNNSG ICB), and Bristol Health Partners. These close links facilitate the delivery of high quality research, through harmonising of processes and the sharing of knowledge and good practice. It also ensures that our research activities align closely with the priorities and challenges of the NHS. Bristol Trials Centre works in partnership with the Impact Accelerator Unit within the BNNSG ICB to ensure our Chief Investigators are supported in the implementation and knowledge mobilisation of the key findings of their research.
Through our links with NHS partners and other local organisations we are able to facilitate research in a variety of settings. As well as primary and secondary care, we are also able to deliver research in non-NHS settings such as schools, nurseries and care homes and public health. Our current portfolio illustrates the breadth of our research expertise with our studies representing nearly half of the speciality areas identified by the NIHR, with Primary Care, Surgery, Cancer and Respiratory disorders strongly featured in both national and international studies. Our primary funding comes from the National Institute of Health and Care Research but we also have studies funded through Charities and Industry.
Bristol Trials Centre is a leader in accelerating improvements in global health. We build on national and international collaborations, to develop world class trial teams in health care research.
