Working collaboratively with NHS, academic and commercial partners who share our goal of improving healthcare outcomes for patients. We are fortunate to have the following dedicated research facilities:
Clinical trials unit
The Brighton and Sussex clinical trials unit (BSCTU) was established to provide practical support for clinical researchers in the South East and beyond. The unit provides support for clinical research across a range of disciplines, contributing to the evidence base for the diagnosis, management and prevention of disease.
BSCTU is a collaboration of the University of Brighton, University of Sussex, the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UHSussex and the Brighton and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Design Service South East.
Our enthusiastic and friendly team helps in the development of funding applications, trial design, study management, quality assurance, data analysis, trial close-down and dissemination. The Unit attracts multi-centre, randomised controlled trials, but also other well-designed studies. BSCTU received provisional registration from the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) in May 2018.
For further information please visit the BSCTU website or email [email protected].
Clinical research facility (CRF)
CRFs provide dedicated departments and expert staff to deliver high intensity experimental research, and mean that patients are more likely to be offered the opportunity to participate in clinical trials.
More information about CRF
Our CRF is designed to enhance opportunities for research, by providing the necessary space, equipment and expertise, alongside the infrastructure and support services that an NHS hospital offers. This enables research into novel interventions or treatments to be feasible and safe.
At any one time the CRF hosts over 100 research projects. We manage a diverse portfolio of academic and commercial research, with our overarching remit being to support the delivery of early-phase clinical trials and other novel interventions. Research taking place in the CRF focuses on understanding the causes of human disease and the effects of new treatments, tests and devices. Our team of expert researchers administer medication, treatments and conduct tests while supporting patients throughout their involvement in medical research.
Since opening in 2007, our CRF has developed and fine-tuned systems and processes that result in the delivery of a first class clinical research service to research participants and users of the facility.
The CRF has a reputation of high quality data management processes
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization
The research nurses and Doctors spent time explaining everything that was going to happen to me in the trial, I felt very safe and fully informed. Everyone in Brighton CRF is so friendly and kind
Phase 1 Clinical Trial participant
Aims
Brighton & Sussex CRF sets out to:
- Attract early stage (experimental) research to increase patient access to studies involving novel therapies or interventions, and to expand and strengthen our portfolio
- Provide an excellent quality of care and service to all of our patients and users
- Work with our partners in business, the Department of Health and the general public to bring new and effective health innovations to the NHS as quickly as possible
- Deliver an efficient service, with robust processes, co-ordinated by staff with clinical and research expertise.
CRF facilities and services
Clinic rooms
The rooms are equipped with clinical monitoring equipment and are used to care for research participants during clinical interventions and for research consultations.
Physiology suite
A clinical area equipped with ultrasound, echocardiogram (ECHO), electrocardiogram (ECG), and vascular compliance measuring equipment, as well as body composition analysis scales and a tilt table to assess autonomic function.
Treatment/phlebotomy suite
A clinical area furnished with reclining chairs, to ensure research participants are comfortable during long treatments such as intravenous chemotherapy administration. This room has a dedicated blood sampling/phlebotomy area.
Research laboratory: Our dedicated research laboratory supports rapid blood and tissue processing, testing and archiving. The laboratory has several -80◦C freezers that are temperature monitored 24/7.
Meeting rooms
The facility has rooms suitable for small meetings and a seminar room with the capacity to accommodate 30 people.
Overnight research visits
The CRF can accommodate overnight research visits.
Clinical staff support
The CRF has a highly-skilled clinical research workforce consisting of nurses, medical staff, research practitioners, laboratory staff, data managers and administrators, who support Principal Investigators (PIs) to deliver studies in a timely and safe manner.
Our research nurses and research practitioners work in teams supporting various clinical specialities. They work closely with our PIs to oversee screening, recruitment, scheduling, administration of treatment and work closely with the data managers to ensure data collection and reporting is managed well.
Where we are
Our Clinical Research Facility is located on the 2nd floor, Sussex House, Abbey Road, Brighton, BN2 1ES.
For further information about our CRF please visit UKCRF network.
Clinical imaging and sciences centre
The Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre (CISC) is a purpose-built research, imaging and teaching facility which draws together a range of researchers and research interests.
The facility is part of the Brighton and Sussex Medical School and is situated on the University of Sussex site in Falmer. CISC houses imaging technology, a reception and visitor waiting area, a preparation suite, and PACS and CRIS enabled reporting rooms all under one roof.
Designed as a multi-user facility, CISC offers multimodal and quantitative imaging in addition to opportunities for integrative imaging. With 3T MRI and PET-CT scanners, CISC provides easy access to imaging platforms for patients enrolled on research studies at the Trust or in the CRF.
For further information please see the CISC website.
Clinical research laboratory
Our dedicated research laboratory supports rapid blood and tissue processing, testing and archiving. The laboratory has several -80◦C freezers that are temperature monitored 24/7.
Pharmacy
Our dedicated clinical trials pharmacy and dispensary has a vital role in relation to clinical research.
The pharmacy safeguards research participants, healthcare professionals and the Trust by ensuring Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) are appropriate for use and are procured, handled, stored and used safely and correctly.
The team are responsible for setting up and managing all IMPs. We also have a dedicated IMP aseptic unit that prepares novel drugs for administration.