A newly launched digital platform is improving how GP NHS practices take part in clinical trials, making research quicker and more inclusive for patients.
A new digital platform has been launched to transform how NHS GP practices take part in clinical trials, making research quicker, easier and more inclusive for patients across the UK.
The DaRe2THINK clinical trial, led by the University of Birmingham and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD; part of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), and run in partnership with NHS providers and the NIHR Research Delivery Network, has developed the platform to reduce paperwork for GP staff and reach communities often underrepresented in research.
The platform securely links to GP systems, automatically transferring relevant health data to participating NHS General Practices, significantly reducing administrative burden on clinical staff. The enhanced functionality enables practice staff to rapidly identify suitable patient cohorts for NHS clinical trials and engage participants through integrated mobile messaging systems.
DaRe2THINK already securely screens routine healthcare records from over 13 million NHS patients across more than 450 General Practices in England. This builds upon efforts to embed research into everyday NHS care.
Puja Myles, Director of CPRD at the MHRA, said: "This platform represents a paradigm shift in how we conduct primary care research. By leveraging routine health data and advanced digital tools, we're removing traditional barriers that have prevented many communities from accessing the benefits of clinical trial participation."
The current DaRe2THINK trial is investigating whether earlier intervention with NHS treatments can prevent blood clots and memory loss in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm condition associated with vascular dementia. Notably, 25% of participating practices are in England's most health-deprived areas, addressing long-standing inequalities in clinical research participation.
The enhanced digital platform has now been rolled out across England, making it quicker and simpler for NHS staff to reach out to their patients, and embedding prevention into routine care.
Dipak Kotecha, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Birmingham, said: “DaRe2THINK is leading the way to empower patients and provide an opportunity to take part in NHS clinical trials.
"The enhanced digital platform has now been rolled out across England, making it quicker and simpler for NHS staff to reach out to their patients, and embedding prevention into routine care.”
Dr Alexandra Lee, a General Practitioner at University of Birmingham, said: "The digital trial platform used in DaRe2THINK has had a positive impact on the delivery of primary care research and has helped recruit a new cohort of general practices that haven't previously taken part in clinical trials.”
Charles Michaleis, a DaRe2THINK Participant, said: "The DaRe2THINK study was very easy to sign up to and get involved in, with the hope that this will lead to improved treatments for NHS patients who have atrial fibrillation.”
The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and supported by a dedicated public engagement team. The research was carried out at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
DaRe2THINK aims to democratise access to clinical trials across all communities; the platform's development aligns with the NHS People Plan to foster inclusive research culture and supports the broader goal of improving efficiency in community-based clinical trials.
Notes to Editor:
For media enquiries and more information on patient and GP perspectives, please contact Holly Young, Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)7815 607 157.
About the University of Birmingham
About DaRe2THINK
About the Clinical Practice Research Datalink
The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) is a real-world, UK government, research service supporting retrospective and prospective public health and clinical studies. Working with GP practices and healthcare bodies across the UK, we provide anonymised healthcare data and research services that are used to improve health care delivery and inform clinical guidance.
About the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgments to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. more information can be found on the MHRA website.
About the National Institute for Health and Care Research
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:
NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK international development funding from the UK government.
About The NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)
The NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is part of the NIHR and hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT) in partnership with the University of Birmingham (UoB). The BRC’s research programme focuses on inflammation and the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of its associated long-term illnesses.
Professor of Cardiology & Cardiac Imaging
Staff profile for Professor Dipak Kotecha, Professor of Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham.
Trial Team Manager
Staff profile of Mr Alastair Mobley, Trial Team Manager, at the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham
