NIHR Royal Free London CRF

The delivery of high-quality experimental medicine research is a key strategic priority of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) and consistent with its aspiration to embed research in all aspects of its activity.

The establishment of a purpose-built Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and the opening of the Pears Building, housing the new Institute of Immunity and Transplantation (IIT), represent a commitment from both RFL and University College London (UCL) to realise their joint ambition to develop experimental medicine on the Royal Free site.

Whilst the Trust has provided dedicated space and pump-prime funding to establish the CRF, NIHR funding will provide the critical mass and long-term sustainability needed to transform the capacity and capability of RFL CRF to deliver high-quality, experimental medicine and enable the seamless translation of UCL s world class, discovery science to clinical application.

It will also enhance our ability to leverage additional income by attracting new industrial partnerships and broaden our scope for competitive external grant funding.

Whilst supporting research in a diverse range of conditions, we will build on existing strengths in liver, renal, and rare diseases, establishing a portfolio of early-phase trials in areas that remain underrepresented in the NIHR portfolio.

The CRF will allow expansion of gene and gene editing therapies for which RFL/UCL investigators have been leading innovators. Training the next generation of clinical research leaders and staff will be core to our mission.

We have committed to an ambitious program of junior and senior recruitment in strategic areas and will take full advantage of training opportunities provided by UCL, partner NHS Trusts, UKCRF Network and the NIHR. In so doing we will develop a critical mass and sustainable workforce for the future.

As an acute general hospital with internationally recognised specialist services, based in the heart of North London, RFL serves an ethnically and culturally diverse local community as well as a national community of patients with rare diseases.

In recognition of the importance of fully serving these communities, RFL has established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework (EDIF).

The CRF will ensure that the principles enshrined in this framework are embedded in the culture of the CRF and permeate all aspects of our activity from trial prioritisation to staff and patient recruitment.

Similarly, we will enable patients and the public to help shape the future of the CRF through public engagement activities and direct involvement in the governance of the CRF.

A dedicated CRF PPIEP and EDI group has already been established and will help ensure that the CRF Management Board delivers their objectives. Finally, the NIHR RFL CRF will contribute to the broader research community and the success of the NIHR.

We will cultivate collaborations with other NIHR infrastructure and play an active role in the UKCRF Network, contributing to Theme Groups and leading initiatives.

Our expanding portfolio of trials in rare diseases and the application of novel therapeutic approaches will provide greater diversity to the NIHR output, unique training opportunities and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.