COVID-19 has placed considerable pressure on clinical trials performed by and in the NHS. National organisations and government bodies have published guidance to ensure that best practice is maintained during this time. The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Trust) has a number of SOPs and guidelines to ensure preparedness and maintaining safety for patients and staff. As a research sponsor the Trust has a duty to maintain clinical trial activity where significant safety implications apply. As a result some trials will remain open during the pandemic.
A new SOP has been released to describe how the Trust as sponsor will manage deviations to SOPs during the COVID-19 outbreak.