Clinical Research and Clinical Trials

Research at Musgrove Park Hospital, Yeovil Hospital, in the Community and Mental Health Services

Clinical research is the way we determine the best ways to prevent, diagnose or treat disease. We work with patients, carers, NHS trusts, universities, industry and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to take the best new ideas from cutting edge science and use them to improve treatment, care and services. We have around 350 active research projects running at any one time.

Many of our staff are involved in conducting or supporting research, especially the NIHR portfolio of research, which provides patients, and in some cases carers and staff, with the opportunity to take part in relevant national studies.

We may therefore approach you to take part in a research project and we hope you would consider this. In some cases it may be as simple as completing a questionnaire, or giving an extra blood sample. It may be more complex involving additional clinical tests or taking different medication. However, participation is always voluntary and you may refuse or withdraw at any time without the need to give a reason and without it affecting your normal care.

Before they are authorised, we check all research projects to make sure they all meet strict safety and quality standards, regulatory requirements and national guidance. We also check if they have been reviewed by a Research Ethics Committee (REC).

Studies seeking participants

Click here to find out about National Institute for Health Research clinical research studies and trials that are currently seeking local participants. You can search using a post code, location or look up a condition or drug name. Once you have located the relevant information you can follow the links to find further details about each specific study. If you would like to know more, please ask your doctor or health care professional about participation.

Information for researchers

We provide the research and development (R&D) management function in Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

If you’re thinking of getting involved in a research project, or just want to explore an idea for a research project, contact us early in the process for advice on research management and governance requirements.

You will need to undertake specific training before starting work on clinical trials. We have detailed what you will need and links to the relevant websites, but please contact us to discuss your training needs, we are here to help.

We hope you find the information about what we do, the standards we work to, courses, events and how to get involved useful.

Research in Yeovil Hospital

Yeovil  Hospital clinical research unit supports and facilitates health research in the area. Our vision is to believe in a better future. Only by carrying out research can we gain new knowledge to continually improve treatment for patients, and understand how to focus NHS resources where they will be most effective. We are committed to offering our patients the opportunity to take part in research ensuring that current treatments and practices are the best that they can be.

All studies undertaken at Yeovil  Hospital are part of the adopted portfolio of the NIHR. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is a United Kingdom government agency, which funds research into health and care, and is the largest national clinical research funder in Europe.

If you would like more information about research at Yeovil, either as a researcher or participant, please contact us on clinical.researchYDH@somersetft.nhs.uk

Are you a healthcare professional with a passion for improving patient care? 

Do you want to improve patient outcomes by leading groundbreaking research studies?

Could you be a research delivery leader?

Save the date for our virtual event 

Wednesday 20 March 2024  (12.30pm – 2.00pm)

Registration open soon

Learn more about our Master’s level clinical research delivery leadership qualifications at this event.

• • Suitable for all healthcare professionals
  •  Who have no or limited research experience and those currently working in research delivery. All courses are designed for part time learning to fit around busy schedules.
  • All courses consist of theory-based
  • Online learning modules and a research practice experience module. The ‘research practice’ module helps learners to develop their skills and expertise by working on research projects alongside experienced mentors

A number of DHSC funded bursaries for course fees will be available. Further details will be provided at the event.

Further information can be found on the Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework website. A link with more details and registration for this online event will be added to the website soon.

NIHR-AoMRC Clinician Researcher Credentials Programme Team  | CRN National Coordinating Centre (CRNCC) | NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN)

07341 991751 | e. credentials@nihr.ac.uk