Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical Trials

Yes. You’ll be paid for your time and participation during the clinical study. All payments will be received via BACs. We ask volunteers to allow 10 working days from their screening appointment to receive travel reimbursement and 10 working days from the last out patient visit to receive the study payment + travel reimbursements.

Our studies usually require one or more overnight stays at the research clinic, and may require multiple outpatient visits. The number of visits depends on the requirements of each study.

When you stay at the research clinic, you will have multiple blood draws, physical exams and vital sign checks. Between procedures, you may have time to read, study, watch TV, play games, etc. Other recreational items such as a pool table, DVDs, board games and internet service are available. 

Depending on the type of study, there are certain conditions we may ask you to meet to ensure accurate study results. These could include restrictions on exercise, smoking, medications and alcohol. We’ll give you full details before you apply to take part in a study so you’ll always know what’s expected.

Our clinical studies are always voluntary. You are free to withdraw your consent at any time. Once you’ve already started the clinical study, our doctors may need you to come back for a visit, just to check that the drug is out of your system.

You’ll receive between £30 and £150 per visit, depending on where you live, to help cover travel costs. There is limited parking available in the areas around the clinic. We will reimburse you up to £10 for parking for your screening appointment. However, we advise that you use public transportation.

This is our opportunity to meet you, gather necessary information from you and perform basic screening tests. You will be screened for each study you wish to take part in as we need to make sure you are eligible on a study by study basis.  On average a screening appointment last 2 hours.  A member of our recruitment team will advise you about the requirements for each study.

Here’s what you can expect:

• We’ll take a copy of your photo ID as soon as you arrive
• Our medical team will explain the study and answer any questions you may have
• If you agree to take part, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form before any tests are done
• We’ll take a detailed medical and social history
• We’ll take blood and urine samples
• We’ll perform a drug and alcohol breath test
• We will measure your blood pressure, pulse and record a heart trace
• Once we have your results, we’ll be in touch and inform you of the next steps.

There are many reasons why applicants don’t pass the screening stage. You can ask if it may be possible to reapply in the future or screen for a different study.

That depends on the study you're taking part in. Sometimes it's just an overnight stay with a number of follow-up visits to the clinic, but other times we may need you to stay longer to monitor the results of the medical trial.

A complete list of items you may and may not bring with you will be provided at the screening visit. You may bring personal care items and clean clothes sufficient for the period you will be required to stay at the clinic. Footwear is to be worn at all times when you are not in bed. You may bring:

• Comfortable clothing
• Toiletries
• A personal cell phone, laptop computer or tablet
• A personal video game system
• Books and magazines
• Craft items

Fortrea will not be responsible for loss or theft of personal items.

You will share a room with other same sex participants.

In order to protect volunteer confidentiality we don't allow visitors during your time with us. However you are free to contact family and friends via the phone and internet.

Yes. It is very important to collect information or samples at set times. In order to do this, you’ll need to attend at the times and dates on the calendar given to you at screening.

However, when you’re not staying overnight, sometimes the visits can be flexible to fit in with other commitments you may have, such as work, errands or childcare. This is unique to each study, so please discuss any commitments you may have with the recruitment team.

We only use licensed medical staff and physicians to conduct our clinical studies. An independent ethics committee reviews each study including all procedures. This review is conducted to make sure the study is scientifically and ethically sound.

This independent ethics committee oversees the processes that we use for informing you about clinical research studies, including the following:

• The purpose of the study
• What happens during the study
• Risks and benefits of study participation
• Background information on the drug itself
• Other studies involving the drug

Our staff respects your privacy. No information will be given out about your participation and/or your medical information unless required by law. For example, the sponsor, regulatory agencies, or an independent ethics committee may inspect your clinical research study medical records. This may include your name, address or other information that identifies you. If necessary, some or all of your records may be copied during these inspections. Because of this, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

The results of the clinical study may be presented at meetings or in publications. However, you will not be personally identified in any presentations or publications.

There are a number of online resources available:

CISCRP.org
The Centre for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to educating and informing the public, patients, medical/research communities, the media and policy makers about clinical research participation.

The Over-volunteering Protection System
This UK database records when anyone participates in clinical research studies, including at Fortrea. This is required for scientific, medical and ethical reasons.

Declaration of Helsinki
The Declaration of Helsinki, developed by the World Medical Association (WMA), is the ethical principles to which all human clinical studies must conform.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
All clinical trials in the UK are approved by the MHRA. The website contains further information regarding their role in UK clinical trials.

European Medicines Agency (EMA)
The EMA provides policies and guidance documents on how clinical trials are conducted in Europe and the UK.

National Research Ethics Services (NRES)
A branch of the National Patient Safety Agency, which approves all clinical studies conducted in the UK.