Commercial study set up times reduced by a third, according to new data

New data from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) shows that the National Contract Value Review has significantly reduced the time it takes to set up commercial studies in the NHS across the UK.

Commercial studies are achieving study set-up milestones over 100 days quicker on average since the National Contract Value Review (NCVR) process was introduced 12 months ago. 

The NCVR process, is the UK’s standardised, national approach to costing and contracting for commercial contract research.  It is a UK wide programme led by NHS England in partnership with Health and Care Research Wales, DHSC, NIHR Clinical Research Network, the Health Research Authority and the other Devolved Administrations.

Within the last 12 months, over 600 studies have had a national review completed and over 60 have gone all the way through the set-up process.

An analysis of these 60+ studies running from across the UK confirms that:

• Set-up times are over 100 days quicker and as much as 185 days quicker when compared to the pre-pandemic data for 2019/20.    
• When compared to the 12 months prior, the average time from initial costing submission to the date of the first participant consenting to participate in the study, has reduced from 305 days to 194 days; a reduction of 110 days or 36%.  

Dr Helen Hodgson, Senior Research Funding, Finance and Contracts Manager, leading the NCVR in Wales said: “It’s so important for the countries across the UK to work together to make it as easy and attractive as possible to conduct health and care research here.

“Our organisations in Wales have responded very positively and welcomed the benefits of NCVR which include efficiencies in the costing and set up process and consequent reduction in delays and duplication. We’ve had excellent feedback from sponsors and partners on the positive impact of NCVR so far across the UK and this data speaks for itself.

We’re looking forward to continuing to improve study set up times even further, and maximising opportunities for research participation for people across the country.”

Positive results from phase one of NCVR are encouraging news as stage 2 of implementation commences this month which brings an end to local negotiation with NHS organisations.

Laura Bousfield, National Head of Feasibility and Start-up, NIHR Clinical Research Network said: 

“This analysis demonstrates the efficiencies that can be achieved with a system-wide costing tool and model agreements; reducing not only time but resource and duplication of effort. 

“With the next stage of roll-out removing modifications, we can continue to demonstrate that this approach removes costing and contracting delays for patient access to research.”

Bringing the benefits of NCVR to other areas

The NCVR national partners are committed to bringing the benefits of the current NCVR model to other aspects of study set up including the set up of Early Phase (phase I and IIa) and Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMPs) studies and within the primary care setting.  

UK wide collaboration

The NCVR focuses on agreeing the resources needed to deliver the study within an NHS provider and uses the UK iCT to generate each NHS provider specific price. This work forms part of a broader common goal to ensure clinical research continues to thrive in the UK, for the benefit of patients and the public.

For more on this story visit NIHR website.