The University of Leeds is immensely proud to have acted as host to the NIHR Clinical Research Network Co-ordinating Centre since 2005.  The NIHR Clinical Research Network supports clinical research in the NHS and helps to facilitate the conduct of randomised controlled clinical trials and other well designed studies funded by the public sector, charities and the life sciences industries.

The Government's White Paper "Equality and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" published earlier this week made clear that:

"Research is vital in providing the new knowledge needed to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.  The Government believes that outcomes will improve most rapidly when clinicians are engaged, and creativity, research participation and professionalism are allowed to flourish."

Dr Sheffield is currently Medical Director at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Peter McWilliam
Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds

For more information contact:
Guy Dixon, University of Leeds media relations - 0113 343 8299 or g.dixon@leeds.ac.uk