The unit at the University of Aberdeen responsible for running major multi-centre clinical trials has been recognised for its expertise.
The University's Centre for Healthcare Randomised Trials or CHaRT – which co-ordinates a wide range of key top quality health trials – was among 40 clinical trials units across the UK which successfully completed a rigorous new benchmark process.
Clinical trial units are specialist centres that bring together the experts needed to undertake clinical trials – these include clinicians, statisticians and trial managers.
A new registration process for units of this kind was created by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration which is working to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research.
Units had to meet a very robust set of criteria in order to achieve full registration.
John Norrie, Director of CHaRT, which is part of the University's Health Services Research Unit, is delighted that Aberdeen met all requirements. He said: "Being awarded full Registration as a UK Clinical Research Collaboration Clinical Trials Unit is a tremendous achievement for CHaRT.
"It is an important recognition of the track record of CHaRT and the Health Services Research Unit in the design and conduct of high quality multi centre randomised controlled trials which examine important healthcare questions.
"Becoming a fully registered unit also vindicates the University of Aberdeen's vision and investment in CHaRT, in partnership with Scotland's Chief Scientist Office and the Scottish Funding Council.
"Aberdeen now enjoys having first class clinical trials infrastructure, and can look forward with confidence to leading important trials that will make a difference to human health in the future."
An example of a CHaRT run trial includes a £1.3 million project to investigate incontinence in men who have had prostate surgery. Over 800 men are being recruited at 25 centres over five years to explore whether physiotherapy can help men who have had surgery.
Another CHaRT trial will examine different types of catheters for reducing urinary tract infections among adult patients in hospital.
More details about CHaRT – which was officially launched three years ago - and the trials it is co-ordinating can be found at: www.charttrials.abdn.ac.uk