Jen Smith

Derriford Hospital in Plymouth now leads the UK in clinical trial recruitment, with 45,000 patients enrolled across more than 200 studies targeting conditions such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. Clinicians report that high research volume improves overall patient care, attracts funding and specialists, and offers participants earlier access to potentially lifesaving treatments. Patients involved in trials describe stabilizing symptoms and optimism about disease progression. The hospital’s expanding research programme is contributing to regional economic and health benefits and aims to offer all patients the opportunity to participate in clinical studies.