University hospitals help more patients to get involved in research

26 June 2014

Data released today on NHS Trust research activity in England show the excellent performance of university hospitals in delivering research studies that will inform and improve patient care.

National league tables published by the National Institute for Health Research (in partnership with The Guardian’s Healthcare Network) give an annual picture of how NHS organisations are performing on research activity supported through public funds. As outlined in this AUKUH blog, university hospitals make a heavy contribution to the UK’s health research foundations.

Today’s data release develops this picture and shows that:

• In 2013-14, AUKUH Trusts recruited 285, 468 patients into 9, 159 studies.
• The average patient recruitment for an AUKUH Trust was 6,797. For comparison, the average of other NHS Trusts was 936.
• Despite only comprising 17% of the NHS Trusts in the league table, AUKUH members recruited 59% of the patients recruited by all NHS Trusts.
• All of the top ten Trusts for number of patients recruited are AUKUH members. This has been the case for data released in 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

University hospitals across the UK are united by their leadership in health research and building this sense of enquiry and rigour into their organisations at every level. Find out more about how university hospitals combine research, education and clinical care for patients here: http://aukuh.org.uk/index.php/news-and-blog/blog/119-what-makes-a-university-hospital-different