The clinical trials unit (CTU) within the Children’s Cancer Centre (CCC) supports the delivery of clinical trials for patients with childhood cancers. This unit ensures that clinical trials are a viable treatment pathway for these patients, coordinating a range of professional roles to manage and execute these trials efficiently.
The clinical trials manager: The manager oversees the entire CTU, managing staff and coordinating the clinical trial lifecycle, including budgeting, reporting, and contracts. This role acts as the primary liaison between the CTU and other hospital departments.
Deputy clinical trials manager (D/CTM): The Deputy Manager provides direct line management for CTU members, including work allocation, staff supervision, and professional development. The D/CTM leads, motivates, and supports team members, developing key relationships with internal and external stakeholders alongside the CTM.
Research nurses: The team includes clinical nurse coordinators and research nurses dedicated to specific studies. The clinical nurse coordinators manage research patient care, acting as key liaisons for patients and families, and handle bookings and appointments. Research nurses dedicated to specific studies, such as the CLOCK study, administer the investigational medical product (IMP) and educate other nursing staff.
Study coordinators: These coordinators handle patient management and data for specific trials. They serve as the primary contact for their allocated trials, covering six tumour streams: early phase, brains, solids, molecular, and liquids/BMT. Study coordinators are responsible for patient enrolment, scheduling, and follow-up, as well as ensuring compliance with study protocols and regulatory requirements.
By embedding clinical trials into the standard care pathway, the CTU ensures that CCC patients have access to cutting-edge treatments and innovations. The collaborative structure and dedicated personnel of the CTU support the efficient and effective delivery of clinical trials, providing crucial treatment options for children with cancer.
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