A new state-of-the-art clinical research facility has been given the green light at Hampshire Hospitals, following a successful £1.025m capital award for the project.
This dedicated Research Hub, which will be located at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, will enable the Trust to deliver more clinical research studies than ever before as well as more complex research trials. It will support pioneering research across a range of specialties, improving patient outcomes by accelerating access to innovative treatments.
Funding for the purpose-build facility – the first of its kind in North Hampshire dedicated solely for clinical research – has been secured following a successful grant application to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the UK’s largest funder of health and care research. 
The Research Hub will be delivered through a modern modular build programme, enabling construction to be completed more efficiently and creating an environment designed for modern research activity. Construction is expected to commence this summer.
Dr Ruth Williamson, Chief Medical Officer for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that we have been granted funding to build this fantastic new Research Hub. Having space dedicated to clinical research will make it easier and more comfortable for our patients to participate in studies designed to improve healthcare. It also means our staff will be able to focus all their attention on providing high quality care to our study participants.
Natasha Chigbo, Associate Director of Research and Development at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “By creating a purpose-built environment for our research activity, we will be able to increase participation in studies, attract new research opportunities and support more complex and innovative trials, which is really exciting.
“Building the Hub in this way also ensures we can continue to meet the needs of patients and our research teams in the years to come which was so important to us when creating our submission.”
This project marks another important step in the Trust’s commitment to embedding research and innovation at the heart of patient care, as well as offering an opportunity to further strengthen partnerships with national research organisations and NHS providers.
The next phase of delivering the facility will involve detailed planning and engagement with patients, staff and partners, followed by the commencement of construction.
To find out more about the new Research Hub and clinical research at Hampshire Hospitals, please click here.
