Research Facilities

Centre for Clinical Research & Innovation (CCRI)

The Centre for Clinical Research & Innovation (CCRI) is a new clinical trials unit based at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The CCRI work in collaboration with clinicians and researchers to design and conduct high quality multicentre clinical trials addressing important health questions.

The unit has expertise to aid the design and conduct of high quality trials including experienced staff for trial management, data processing and management, and governance.

The CCRI houses the core research team alongside the research nursing and data management staff.

There are facilities for outpatient clinics including a 4 person unit for longer stay outpatient appointments who have access to catering amenities for their stay

There has been investment in video conferencing facilities to enhance cross site working between the research teams at Darlington, Durham and Bishop Auckland Hospitals.  This technology will allow external conferencing for trial site initiations.

Pharmacy

There are clinical trial dispensing facilities on both Durham and Darlington Hospital sites with a team of pharmacists, technicians, and assistant technical officers managing the set up and maintenance of clinical trials of investigational medicinal products.

Medication required for clinical trial patients at Bishop Auckland Hospital is managed centrally from Durham Hospital.

Pathology

The pathology service has dedicated members of staff to manage the set up and maintenance of clinical trial samples. Durham and Darlington Hospitals both house freezers operating to -80°C which can accommodate the storage of trial samples.

The laboratory staff are familiar with clinical trials and handling samples requiring spinning, storage and processing prior to distribution to various external laboratories as well as using a variety of in-house testing methods as required.  The histology department regularly provide a large number of blocks and slides for clinical trials countrywide.