Government announce boost for clinical trials as part of 10 year health plan

The ultimate aim is that the NHS App will automatically match those with studies based on their own health data and interests, sending push notifications to a person's phone about relevant new trials to sign up to.

Tracey Loftis, Deputy Director of Policy and Influencing at Blood Cancer UK said:

“Clinical trials are so much more than researchers conducting experiments in the lab, they involve real people, putting people with blood cancer at the centre of research, and are central to developing new, kinder and life-saving treatments.

“We’re pleased that the government is looking at ways to increase access to clinical trials for people here in the UK. Blood cancer is the UK's third largest cancer killer and survival lags behind countries of a similar wealth and health. Speeding up and improving access to well-conducted trials can turn this tide.

“We’d particularly encourage the Government to ensure there is investment in supporting underrepresented groups, including young people, Black people and people of South Asian heritage, to sign up and ensure equitable access to this service, particularly as rates of some blood cancers are higher in these groups.

“While recent advances in treatments for people with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma have already led to significant improvements in the range of drugs people can access, much more clinical research is needed to address the challenges that blood cancer still presents. In the coming weeks, the Government will publish its 10 Year Health Plan and we’ll be watching this announcement closely, to ensure people with blood cancer aren’t left behind.”