Commercial research is important to the NHS, as it is through this process that new treatments, devices or laboratory tests are studied and brought forward for use by patients and staff. NHS Highland hosts a small but growing number of commercially sponsored research studies. Often these are multicentre trials of novel treatments but there are also locally based studies of new devices or laboratory tests.
There are strict procedures governing the performance of commercially sponsored research in the NHS. If you are approached to take part in a commercially sponsored study, you should consult the R&D office at the earliest possible stage. We are keen to support clinicians who wish to take part in commercially sponsored studies. We will assist with scrutiny of the project, ensuring that the correct ethical and governance procedures are in place and that an appropriate contract is negotiated between the researcher, the NHS and the commercial sponsor.
