Helping make the UK globally competitive in data-enabled digital trials
Written by Jenny Crooks, Network Operations Director
Research participant with a research nurse at the NIHR CRDC in Primary Care: Dorset.
The CRDC UK Network is in full support of the ABPI’s new report, published 23 March 2026, ‘Globally competitive UK-wide data-enabled clinical trials: the time is now’, and is playing a crucial role in helping achieve this.
By harnessing UK NHS data, we can improve feasibility accuracy and efficiency and strengthen national recruitment infrastructure.
As a Network we are already making progress by:
Operating in ways that reflect the recommended national model, including rapid feasibility, central support, cross site collaboration and data-driven decision-making
Working closely with the Health Data Research Service (HDRS) and national partners to develop the data-enabled trial functions described
Being committed to ensuring the UK can deliver at pace, compete internationally, and give more patients the opportunity to take part in innovative, life-changing research
The CRDC UK Network has been in place since September 2025, and we have already established a strong foundation across our 35 partner sites in primary and secondary care. From the outset, our role has been to strengthen capability and capacity across the system whilst ensuring sponsors, Chief Investigators and wider partners have a streamlined and transparent route to setting up and delivering high quality research.
Acting on the core issues highlighted in the report
The themes in the ABPI’s report, predictability, accuracy, and speed, mirror the nine strategic workstreams of the CRDC UK Network which are guiding our strategic and operational priorities. These include:
Data-driven site selection and feasibility
Parallel and expedited set-up processes
Decentralised and multi-site delivery models
Shared intelligence, reduced duplication and consistent governance
Industry engagement, Key Opinion Leader input and early protocol advice
PPIE and equitable access throughout the UK across the Network
These themes are already translating into meaningful outcomes. For example:
We have introduced expedited feasibility and site identification, with some responses returned in as little as 48 hours, including over holiday periods, enabling sponsors to meet ethics deadlines and maintain global confidence.
Parallel set-up processes, now embedded across many CRDCs, are already reducing delays and helping sites consistently deliver against the Government’s 150-day target.
Working with industry partners, including examples in cardiovascular disease and dermatology, the Network has directly influenced global protocol decisions, improved scientific viability, and reduced screen failure rates across NHS sites.
Through strengthened local and national collaboration, CRDCs are helping ensure the right studies reach the right sites, using shared capability profiles and system-wide intelligence.
A more connected and data-enabled UK offer
The Network was created precisely for this purpose: to coordinate effort, reduce fragmentation and provide a single, nationally consistent mechanism for commercial study delivery.
We work in partnership with the wider NIHR Research Delivery Network, devolved nations, NHS organisations, academic leaders and industry stakeholders. Our model ensures high-performing sites are supported, emerging sites can grow safely, and sponsors have confidence in transparent, realistic and deliverable recruitment planning.
Building momentum through evidence and performance
Our February 2026 performance data shows CRDCs are delivering faster and more reliably than the broader system, including:
Higher proportions of studies opened on time
Faster mean and median setup times compared to the wider NHS
Strong recruitment contributions across multiple regions—even with many CRDCs newly operational
This early performance provides strong proof-of-concept for the model described in the report, particularly the importance of predictability, rigorous feasibility and coordinated national action.
Our Network is young, but our ambition and delivery capability are clear. We look forward to working with partners across the UK to continue strengthening the environment for commercial research and to ensure that the UK remains a world-leading destination for clinical trials.