The trust said the new facility formed part of its wider strategy to ” increase research participation and address inequalities in access to clinical trials in the field of mental health”.<\/p>\n
It said the research undertaken at the centre would support commercial and non-commercial clinical research studies across a broad range of specialties, including mental health, dementia, children and adolescent mental health services and physical health conditions experienced by people living with mental illness.<\/p>\n
Emmens said the trust had wanted a dedicated place for research for about 20 years.<\/p>\n
He said: “This gives us an opportunity to make research more available to all sorts of people \u2013 including those with a range of mental health needs.<\/p>\n
“We are building our mood disorder research clinic here, too, working with the University of Exeter and creating opportunities to trial novel treatments.”<\/p>\n
The new facility will include:<\/p>\n
A dedicated laboratory and clinical trials pharmacy<\/p>\n
Physical health assessment and infusion room<\/p>\n
Specially designed therapy rooms<\/p>\n
Flexible spaces that support virtual follow-up appointments<\/p>\n
Modern reception, waiting, office and staff welfare facilities<\/p>\n
The trust said by combining a central research hub with the ability to deliver aspects of research activity in patients’ homes, it aimed to improve recruitment, retention and participation in clinical trials from underserved communities.<\/p>\n
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