The PLRH was established in 2015 by members of the Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) from the University of Cambridge and the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In 2022, we shifted focus to primarily support rare disease research. We aim to provide academic expertise in all aspects of research design and conduct, free from a defined research agenda. This expertise is available to charities and patient groups to support patient-centred (patient led or co-produced) research. Core membership consists of an experienced clinical trialist and a full time research manager, with access to and input from statisticians, health economist, grants officer, and other expert members of the CCTU and School of Clinical Medicine.

We aim to collaborate with as many external experts as possible, spanning medicine, academia, research and industry. Many of these collaborators provide core assistance as needed for a wide range of research ideas. The PLRH also seeks out specific experts for each proposal focus.

View Our Core Collaborators

• Beacon for Rare Diseases
• Cambridge Rare Disease Network
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
• International Clinical Trials Centre Network
• National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service
• NIHR Brain Injury Healthcare Technology Co-operative
• NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre PPI Team
• NIHR Centre for Engagement and Dissemination
• NIHR East of England Research Design Service
• Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Medical LIbrary
• The McPin Foundation
• University of Cambridge Medical Library
• University of Cambridge Public Engagement Team

Governance

The PLRH is part of the CCTU, and its strategy and governance are reviewed by the Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (Cambridge BRC) and the Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP) Patient and Public Involvement Research Oversight Committee. Patient organisations maintain a study-specific partnership and oversight role once a research proposal has been submitted.

Support

The PLRH receives indirect funding from the NIHR via the CCTU. The CCTU is a UK Clinical Research Collaborator and a member of the Cancer Research UK CTU group, with accreditation based on a quality management system covering all aspects of clinical trials conduct. The CCTU is a founding member of the International Clinical Trial Centre Network (ICN).

Patient involvement funds have been kindly received from the East of England Research Design Service (RDS EoE).