Clinical Research is a vital branch of healthcare science focused on evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medications, medical devices, diagnostic tools and treatment plans. These innovations play a crucial role in diagnosing, preventing, treating and managing the symptoms of many common health conditions and diseases.
Through Clinical Research, we can:
- Enhance the quality of healthcare
- Deepen our understanding of illness and patient experiences
- Inform and improve clinical practice
- Deliver better care and services to patients
Our Vision for Clinical Research in Forth Valley
We are committed to ensuring equitable access to clinical research opportunities for all patients across Forth Valley. Our goal is to match the opportunities available in other NHS Boards by expanding our research portfolio to include a wide range of conditions, treatments and technologies.
By doing so, we aim to provide the highest standard of evidence-based care—not only for our local community but for patients across Scotland and beyond.
Current Trials
Open to recruitment until 31 December 2025.
Overview
We want to try and improve how we diagnose endometriosis. Currently it can take almost 9 years for women to receive a firm diagnosis of endometriosis after first seeing a doctor for related symptoms. This study hopes to identify a blood biomarker to help improve and speed up the diagnosis of endometriosis.
What’s involved?
Participants provide a blood sample and answer a questionnaire prior to attending for a diagnostic laparoscopy.
Target population for recruitment
Women aged 16 or older who are undergoing laparoscopy for the investigation of chronic pelvic pain.
Sponsors
The University of Edinburgh & NHS Lothian (ACCORD)
Funded by Roche Diagnostics
Key Staff
Principal Investigator – Dr Shahzya Huda
Research nurse – Sarah Fortney
For more information: call 01324 567670 or email fv.clinicalresearchteam@nhs.scot
Open to recruitment until 21 October 2026
Overview
This clinical trial at Forth Valley Royal Hospital aims to give local patients access to an innovative new treatment for psoriatic arthritis. The study, led locally by Dr Hanna Johnsson, Consultant Rheumatologist, is focused on evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a new drug designed to reduce joint pain and swelling and improve the control of the disease in patients with active psoriatic arthritis
Target population for recruitment
Participants with Active Psoriatic Arthritis
Sponsors
Johnson & Johnson
Geographical scope
International
Key Staff:
Principal Investigator: Dr Hanna Johnsson
Research Nurse: Erin McCann
Contact NHS Forth Valley’s Research and Development Team call 01324 567670 or email fv.randd-depart@nhs.scot
Open to recruitment until December 2026
Overview
This study will compare two different approaches in the placement of a pacemaker’s lead within the heart. The standard of care approach, called RV pacing, places the pacemaker lead in the right ventricle of the heart. This is very effective at treating slow heart rates but can be less efficient and can lead to poor heart function in some patients. The other pacing approach, called physiological pacing, positions the pacemaker lead on the heart’s natural electrical conduction system. This is believed to allow a more normal and efficient pumping of the heart with may mean less impairment in heart function.
Target population for recruitment
Adults aged 18 or older who need a permanent pacemaker.
Sponsors
Sponsored by Imperial College of London
Funded by the British Heart Foundation
Geographical scope
30 hospital sites in England, Scotland, Wales and 6 international sites
Key Staff
Principal Investigators: Dr Omar Fersia & Gareth Padfield
Research nurse: Elaine Wilson
Research nurse: Sarah Fortney
Contact NHS Forth Valley’s Clinical Research Team for more information: call 01324 567670 or email fv.ClinicalResearchTeam@nhs.scot
Open to recruitment until 30 June 2027
Overview
RELATIVITY is for a group of patients with incurable lung cancer, testing a new combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy. Patients are randomised to receive either current best available treatment or the new drug combination. The novel treatment plan is predicted to increase life expectancy for these patients.
Sponsors
Bristol Myers Squibb (Commercial trial)
Geographical scope (if relevant): Worldwide
Key Staff
Principal Investigator: Nicola Steele
Co-Investigators: Jennifer Wilson, Ben Fulton, Euan Cameron
Clinical Research Team: Anna Hamilton and Trish Turner
What does the Research & Development team do?
- Ensures that all research carried out in NHS Forth Valley meets national quality standards, regulations and legislation governing research.
- Can provide support to staff about governance requirements for their project – research, audit, service evaluation
- can advise staff with all aspects of research governance including regulatory submissions, sponsorship decisions, tracking recruitment and financial management.
- Can support development of study proposals, study documents and funding applications
- Advise staff about Intellectual Property (IP)
Register for SHARE
SHARE is a register of people, aged 11 and over, who are interested in taking part in health research projects. Health research can be anything from completing an online survey, testing a new medical device from home or testing a new medication for a condition you may have. You can choose what projects you want to participate in.