GCSA Intrinsic to UK PLC Clinical Trial Offer

New Industry Standard Provides Worldwide Benchmark Post-Brexit

Maidenhead, UK, 2 February 2021 – GCSA is supporting the UK clinical research industry by providing an internationally-recognised quality benchmark for sites focused on attracting commercial clinical trials to bring the most innovative treatments to patients.

Following the rapid approval of Covid-19 vaccines from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford University/AstraZeneca, the UK’s ability to provide a world-leading regulatory environment both in terms of speed and robustness has been highlighted on the world stage. This, coupled with the UK Government’s January announcement to invest £213million upgrading the UK’s scientific infrastructure, positions the UK well for attracting pioneering medical research from around the globe. The UK’s position is now further complimented by the development of GCSA’s site assessment, process improvement and evidence-based accreditation, designed to identify the highest performing locations in the UK. 

The GCSA gold standard has been ratified by a Global Advisory Board of industry experts from a broad range of global and UK organisations and leads to a distinctive, internationally-recognised certification mark. This evidences that participating sites are operating to the highest global standards and builds confidence for patients and clinical trial sponsors.

“GCSA will either enhance existing standards that some UK research centres have, or it will help improve and raise the standards of those centres that are trying to build their research capacity, thus allowing these UK centres to promote themselves as global competitors and attractive partners for clinical trials,” explains Simon Lewis, London North West University Hospital and GCSA Global Advisory Board member “Previously, there’s been no credible assessment or accreditation for research quality components. GCSA changes this.”

Whilst UK PLC establishes itself globally post-Brexit, GCSA is committed to building capacity by improving, accrediting and maintaining quality of clinical research sites. This ensures high-quality patient and sponsor experiences whilst increasing the number of clinical trials. Following an investment of £7million of public money into just five NHS Patient Recruitment Centres (PRCs) in 2020, there is a real need for all UK based clinical sites to demonstrate and define their quality offering, bringing new treatment opportunities to patients and returning value to the public purse.

“Commercial clinical research is vital for UK Trusts as it provides cutting edge and often lifesaving treatments to patients, while generating revenue that can be used to improve services across the whole Trust,” explains GCSA Commercial Director, Max Pardo-Roques. “Helping sites to attract and then deliver more clinical research is a great benefit to patients and the wider NHS; the provision of a globally recognised benchmark will help sites to demonstrate this.”

Whilst clinical research is a highly-regulated industry, there are no established standards by which sites can demonstrate they are able to meet the expectations of patients and sponsors and until now there has been no way for sponsors to select clinical research sites based on clear quality standards independently assessed at the organisational level. GCSA sets this much-needed industry standard for research sites to strive for and achieve; allowing sites to evidence and communicate their capabilities and differentiate in a crowded and increasingly competitive marketplace. Beyond the assessment and accreditation process, where required GCSA will deliver individual, practical support on the areas for development to meet the standards and will work collaboratively with sites to achieve accreditation.

To learn more about GCSA and how we can support your business please visit gcsaaccredited.org, get in touch via email: info@gcsaaccredited.org or call:

• International: +44 1628 784906
• US Toll Free: +1 855 209-2335
• UK: 01628 784906

For further press information please contact: Jen Husdan on press@gcsaaccredited.org.

<< ENDS >>

Notes to editors

About GCSA

GCSA is an assessment, improvement and accreditation organisation focused on the clinical research industry. They are committed to improving, maintaining and accrediting the highest clinical research standards and increasing trial capacity and quality. Providing clinical research sites with a clear, demonstrable benchmark and evidence-based accreditation. The GCSA certification mark provides a symbol that enhances a sites’ reputation as a clinical research partner of choice.

Set by industry to increase quality, capacity and speed of clinical trials, GCSA accredited clinical research sites are fully supported through modular assessment, process improvement and verification of best practice standards resulting in the awarding of certifications that are a trusted symbol of excellence for patients, CROs (contract research organisations) and clinical trial sponsors. Find out how your clinical research site can start its journey with GCSA and join our community of continuous improvement, best practice and innovation sharing.

GCSA is a collaboration between Future Shaping Holdings Ltd, the parent company of IAOCR the international accrediting organisation for clinical research - and Develop Consulting, experts in process improvement in the NHS. These organisations have come together and worked in collaboration with a Global Advisory Board with a single vision of raising and maintaining the highest standards of clinical research sites.