Ministers plan to use NHS app for expansion of medical trials

Millions of patients will be invited to take part in the hunt for new treatments under plans to ramp up clinical trials in the UK.

- Michael Savage

The government wants to use the NHS app to match individuals to studies on the basis of their health data and interests. Patients would be alerted to the trials by smartphone notifications.

NHS trusts that fail to deliver on trials will be publicly named and the best performers will be prioritised for funding under reforms designed to restore Britain's global reputation for medical research.

The strategy is one of the first to emerge from the government's forthcoming 10-year health plan.

It aims to take advantage of the simplification of NHS records by quickly identifying people suitable for a trial. The plan includes measures to streamline the paperwork required for the studies.

It is hoped that the reforms will speed up the trials process and encourage more pharmaceutical companies to run them in Britain.