Written question WQ93150

We welcomed the recommendations of Lord O’Shaughnessy’s review of commercial clinical trials.

In November 2023, the UK Government published its response to the Lord O’Shaughnessy review, outlining details of how UK nations and key partners working collaboratively will make it easier and faster for NHS patients to access the latest innovative treatments and make the UK one of the best places in the world to conduct clinical research.

The Welsh Government is part of the cross-sector UK Clinical Research Recovery, Resilience and Growth Programme, which oversees the implementation of the UK response to the Lord O’Shaughnessy review and the co-ordination of its delivery. Colleagues across Health and Care Research Wales are part of a range of implementation groups to deliver the plans that it outlines.

This includes a new system for capturing real-time performance data on all clinical trials being developed. This data programme is being led by the Department for Health and Social Care. The new system is expected to be in place between April 2025 and March 2026, and devolved nations are involved in its development to ensure UK compatibility.

Be Part of Research is a UK-wide, single online directory of clinical research studies. It is an open access, searchable website and has the option for people to register to be contacted about relevant research. Following the Lord O’Shaughnessy review, further work is in development to reach the aim of 1m people across the UK to have registered by March 2025. There is also the continued development of services to support recruitment into specific studies, for people who have volunteered for this part of the service.