Our Facilities

Across our two NIHR CRF Sites, and the other three LTHT CRFs, we have dedicated in-patient and out-patient units for patients in clinical trials, located close to specialised laboratories and equipment. We have state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostic equipment dedicated for research purposes and access to equipment in clinical use. Interventional and higher risk trials take place at sites where acute and intensive care services are also provided, to ensure immediate medical support is readily available should it be required.

We work closely with the Clinical Trials Team within the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust Pharmacy Service, which provides a tailored service to our investigators undertaking clinical trials involving drug treatments, including advanced technology medicinal products (ATMPs) and radiopharmaceuticals. Working with the Pharmacy Service Clinical Trials Team ensures we have a clear, independent, auditable trail of drug receipt, dispensing and returns.

We benefit from the support of specialist facilities based at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, including the Leeds Biobanking and Sample Processing Facility and the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service. We also work closely with the University of Leeds Clinical Trials Research Unit, utilising their expertise in research methodologies, statistical support, data analysis and research governance in the delivery of multi-centre clinical trials.

Resources across the two NIHR Leeds CRF sites include:

SJUH CRF Onsite Clinical Resources:

  • 18 treatment spaces with independent patient-controlled mood lighting in 3 bays and 2 en-suite single rooms.
  • Four outpatient rooms: consulting/examination areas.
  • Multifunctional procedure/treatment room: supports endoscopies and bone marrow/skin biopsies.
  • Two purpose built Good Clinical Laboratory Practice laboratories
  • Reception/waiting area.
  • Conference/meeting room.
  • Administration office.

Co-located adjacent to:

  • ICU and HDU: 24/7 specialist critical care outreach (transfer time <5 minutes).
  • North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub: Molecular genetics, cytogenetics, molecular oncology diagnostic facility; UK Genetic Testing Network Member; UKAS accredited.
  • Radiology Department: Research dedicated cross sectional (CT/MRI) and functional (PET/CT) imaging facility; interventional suite (CT/US biopsy; organ specific drug delivery).
  • Clinical Trials Pharmacy: 24/7 research dispensary, aseptic suite, biotherapy suite and radiopharmacy.
  • Cancer Research UK RadNet Centre and Radiotherapy Department with 12 external beam linacs, gamma knife, brachytherapy suite and MRI simulator (operational 2022)
  • Leeds Biobanking and Sample Processing Laboratory (UoL): Complex sampling; BioBanking; Confederation of Cancer Biobanks Member.
  • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria National Service led by Leeds, with London, providing world-leading clinical expertise and education.
  • Haematology Malignancy Diagnostics Service, the UK’s premier diagnostic and biomarker haematopathology unit; regional/national/international central laboratory for haematology trials; UKAS accredited.
  • Yorkshire Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Services: Quaternary referral transplantation centre with full accreditation for CAR-T delivery and an expanding programme of cellular therapy clinical work.
  • Therapeutic Apheresis Unit (NHS Blood and Transplant): Joint Accreditation Committee ISCT-Europe & EBMT (JACIE) accredited for Wave 2 CAR-T and Immune Effector Cell therapy.
  • SJUH Patient Hotel: 20 rooms for self-caring patients, not needing monitoring.

LGI CRF Onsite Clinical Resources:

  • Clinical bay (4 beds/treatment chairs): outpatient/day-care and overnight stays; cardio-pulmonary assessment area.
  • Two clinical consultation/examination rooms.
  • Patient discussion and consent room.
  • Sample preparation and storage laboratory.
  • Extensive exercise physiology lab and respiratory gas analysis area.
  • Ultrasound imaging rooms.
  • Clinical physiology measurement room.
  • Spacious seminar room.
  • Reception/waiting area.
  • Administrative office.
  • Seminar room.

Co-located adjacent to:

  • Clinical Trials Pharmacy: 24 hour access/pharmacy staff/aseptic suite
  • ICU and HDU: 24/7 specialist critical care outreach (transfer time
  • Coronary Care Unit: acute cardiology wards, out-patients, cardiothoracic and neurosurgical theatres
  • Six Cardiac Catheter laboratories (2 with research facilities/software) for early phase experimental trials (STEMI/stem cell therapies, stenting and structural heart interventions).
  • Leeds Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Service: 3 state-of-the-art 1.5T/3T MRI scanners
  • Advanced Imaging Centre (MRC National Centre for Hyperpolarised MRI): Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE) hyperpolarised MRI, 1H and 31P MR Spectroscopy, quantitative perfusion imaging, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Parametric mapping and 4-dimensional flow
  • Centre for Translational Cardiovascular Imaging (UoL): Part of the Leeds Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre

In addition, resources across the other three non-NIHR Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust CRFs include:

LCH CRF Onsite Clinical Resources:

  • Four bedded bay and 2 en-suite single rooms
  • Reception/waiting area
  • Consultation room
  • Administrative office

Co-located adjacent to:

  • Leeds Paediatric Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
  • Neonatal and Paediatric ICU and HDU: 24/7 specialist critical care outreach (transfer time
  • Clinical Trials Pharmacy: 24 hour access/pharmacy staff/aseptic suite

DenTCRU CRF Onsite Clinical Resources:

  • Six dental chairs
  • Wet laboratory
  • Consultation room
  • Reception/waiting room
  • Specimen preparation laboratory
  • with direct access to acute services and emergency care

CAH CRF Onsite Clinical Resources (opens Spring 2022):

  • 4 bedded bay
  • Administration Office
  • Reception/waiting area
  • Sample preparation laboratory

Co-located adjacent to:

  • Outpatient departments, radiology and pharmacy.
  • The current NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC): Muscle Lab and Biopsy Room, State-of-the-art motion gait analysis laboratory.
  • NIHR Leeds BRC Imaging Centre: 3.0 T MRI, 4D ultrasound with image processing facilities.
  • The EULAR Centre of Excellence in Rheumatology at LTHT/UoL
  • Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (iMBE): Class 2 ISO9001 accredited laboratory.
  • Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM): HTA licensed sample repository, sample preparation area and a tissue culture laboratory