TO BE PUBLISHED February 2026
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will consider next steps for clinical trials and research in the UK.
Attendees will consider priorities for accelerating study set-up and delivery, and for integrating trials into routine NHS care to improve patient access and recruitment. Sessions look at approaches for improving how NHS data is recorded, and its efficient and secure use to support the quality of research.
Areas for discussion include streamlining approvals and contracting, strengthening capacity across the system, and deployment of funding for research infrastructure. We also expect a focus on building public confidence and involvement, widening participation and inclusivity, and providing the workforce support needed to meet future demand.
Policy developments & priorities moving forward
The conference will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss recent policy developments, including MHRA’s The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations, DHSC’s Transforming the UK clinical research system, and the 10 Year Health Plan for England, as well as the Spending Review 2025 commitment to establish a new Health Data Research Service.
Attendees will consider practical issues for achieving delivery goals, including the 150-day study set-up target, implementing the Combined Review and standardised contracting, and establishing necessary governance, transparency and safeguards as researcher access to data is centralised.
International positioning
Planned sessions will also look ahead to the future of research collaboration, and how the UK can remain attractive for partnership with global life sciences companies in the context of current uncertainties around international R&D investment and trial placement.
Streamlining trial delivery & increasing engagement
Steps to reduce duplication and delays will be assessed, alongside priorities for the Health Data Research Service in providing secure, timely access while maintaining confidentiality and public trust. Further discussion is expected on approaches that enable participation and oversight through the NHS App and local engagement, and on integrating trials into primary and community care to improve recruitment and accessibility.
Further planned sessions discuss the potential of AI and precision medicine to improve trial design and efficiency, and expectations for the contribution of new commercial research delivery centres and regional research hubs.
Funding & workforce frameworks
Attendees will also consider what is needed to grow capacity and sustain capability, looking at new approaches to career pathways and options such as joint NHS-university posts. We also expect discussion on priorities for leadership, diversity and inclusion, looking at collaboration across the NHS, universities, life sciences companies and medical research charities.
Overview of areas for discussion
- regulation and policy:
- implementation of MHRA Clinical Trials Regulations - timelines for rollout and allocation of responsibilities - clarity of roles for MHRA and HRA
- next steps in DHSC clinical research reform - coordination through UKCRD and system partners - embedding priorities from the 10 Year Health Plan into NHS delivery
- trails set-up: practicalities of the 150-day target - impact of Combined Review - effectiveness of standardised contracts - considerations for sponsor confidence
- data: Health Data Research Service governance, funding and scope - secure, timely researcher access - interoperability across NHS datasets - transparency, safeguards, and public confidence
- integration with care: delivering trials in primary care and community settings - issues for recruitment and accessibility - resourcing and workload considerations
- participation and inclusion: NHS App integration with Be Part of Research - reducing barriers to participation - consistent diversity measures across studies - equity of access and outcomes
- diversity: use of Inclusion and Diversity Plans - feasibility of a UK-wide roadmap - common metrics and reporting - oversight and accountability arrangements
- workforce: proposals from UKRI’s Clinical researchers in the UK: reversing the decline - national career framework - joint NHS-university roles - recruitment, retention, and leadership pathways
- market capacity: mix of commercial and non-commercial trials - role of new delivery centres - regional research hubs and capacity - attractiveness for global partnerships
- innovation: potential use of AI to support trial design and conduct - effects on cost and speed - implications for evaluation standards - patient experience and consent processes
- oversight and responsibilities: roles of MHRA and HRA - responsibilities for safety and monitoring - managing data controllers and processors - clear escalation and accountability
