The Research & Development (R&D) department has bases across City Health Campus, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital and Sandwell Health Campus.
The department works across the organisation to enable our people and communities to engage in research studies.
Carrying out research is the way that we improve treatments and care and make our services better.
Our Trust takes part in a range of local, national and international research studies, and is part of Birmingham Health Partners, an alliance which brings NHS trusts and universities together within the region.
Therefore during your care with us, your doctor or a member of the team looking after you may talk to you about research and ask if you would like to join a study.
Why should I take part in research?
Research is key to finding faster and better ways to diagnose a disease, finding new cures and advanced treatments and improving the quality of life of patients and future generations.
By taking part in health and care research, you can contribute to the treatment and care provided by the NHS.
Patients who take part in clinical research may also have access to new treatments that are not widely available yet.
Find out more about taking part in research here: Take part in research – Be Part of Research
Our Performance
Clinical trials approved by the Trust are assessed on performance. The Trust are monitored on these key stages by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR).
These are:
- Time taken to open a study at the Trust
- Number of people taking part in research
- Time taken to recruit the first participant into a research project
Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre
The Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC) Clinical Research Facility is a dedicated unit that supports clinical research studies on a wide range of eye conditions. It provide a comprehensive research environment, including a highly skilled clinical research workforce, to undertake various research projects including trials on new treatments sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry
We actively encourage patients, visitors and staff to participate in appropriate high quality trials as this helps to improve the eye care we deliver to everyone. Participation in a trial does not happen without your informed consent and you will be provided with information on the trial before you decide as to whether you wish to join or not.