Durham Clinical Trials Unit
Durham Clinical Trials Unit (DCTU) was established in 2009, and brings together a pool of academic expertise with a substantial track record of, and current involvement in, clinical trials, clinical studies and trials of other social and health interventions. This involvement includes leading the design, coordination and analysis of clinical studies, assisting a number of NHS organisations within the North of England.
DCTU supports researchers in the design and management of high quality clinical trials, including monitoring for regulatory compliance.
Local and regional clinicians and NHS professionals developing research proposals targeting Research for Patient Benefit funding from the National Institute for Health Research, can find support and guidance in preparing their proposals from the Research Design Service (http://www.dur.ac.uk/school.health/rds/) at Durham University. DCTU enhances this regional support for research active clinicians and NHS professionals, by offering the expertise to support studies from the point of funding through to the dissemination of research, through academic collaboration. This support may include research project planning, coordination and analysis of results.
Our academic expertise is broadly based and includes quantitative and qualitative methods, and therapeutic and service development interventions, facilitating the design of mixed methods studies and complex interventions in addition to randomised controlled trials. Within the Wolfson Research Institute are a faculty of research active clinicians and leaders able to provide clinical support and advice to the unit.
Professor James Mason is Director of DCTU and has a considerable track record in the design, conduct and publication of randomised controlled trials and other research designs. James is also co-Director of the Research Design Service, which provides guidance on study design to NHS professionals and academics seeking NIHR funding.
Rebecca Maier is Manager of DCTU with extensive experience of trial management and coordination. Her experience includes management of in-house academic-led and commercial pharmaceutical trials, being responsible for all aspects of trial management. Rebecca is a professional member of the Institute for Clinical Research.
For more information please contact Rebecca Maier by email: dctu@durham.ac.uk or by telephone 0191 334 0345
