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A new Clinical Research Facility (CRF) has officially opened at Heartlands Hospital, marked by a ribbon-cutting celebration with colleagues from across the Trust. 

The new facility is part of a recent refurbishment of the Medical Innovation Development Research Unit (MIDRU), funded through part of a £4.1 million capital investment grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). 

MIDRU first opened as a dedicated research facility in 2009. The team based there includes nurses, coordinators, data managers and administrators who work closely with researchers and sponsors to deliver a wide range of studies. 

The team’s portfolio spans early-phase trials through to observational studies across many specialties, with around 400 active studies running at any one time. So far this year, 1,741 patients at Heartlands Hospital have been recruited into research studies. 

With the expansion of the facility, the team will be able to take on significantly more early-phase work, including first-in-human studies, infectious disease research and vaccine trials, while continuing to broaden the range of specialties within their portfolio. 

The refurbishment provides a range of upgraded spaces to support patients and the delivery of research. This includes two new paediatric rooms designed for comfort, safety and accessibility, with wide-access doors, hoists, and sensory equipment for children with diverse needs.  

The facility also features two new laboratories, expanded pharmacy capacity, a four-bay treatment area, and a negative-pressure room, enabling the team to safely support patients with infectious diseases or immunocompromised participants. 

The official opening was marked with a ribbon-cutting by retired Heartlands colleagues Professor Sherwood Burge and Geraldine Burge, together bringing 86 years of NHS experience.

Jo Plumb, Director of Research and Innovation at University Hospitals Birmingham, said: “We’re all so excited to welcome this new Clinical Research Facility here in MIDRU, a project that has been almost four years in the making. The team play a vital role in supporting patients through their research journey, and this facility provides the environment and equipment needed to deliver research treatments in a safe and modern space. 

“The impact of this facility will be felt by patients and families across Birmingham and beyond for years to come, helping to bring new therapies and treatment options to those who need them most.” 

Rifat Rashid, Hospital Executive Director for Heartlands Hospital, said: “We serve a diverse population and are proud to provide this state-of-the-art facility, expanding research opportunities for our local community. 

“A big thank you to the many teams involved - including research colleagues, estates, finance and wider support teams - whose hard work has made this possible. This facility positions Heartlands strongly for the future of patient-centred research and innovation, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”