VOLUNTEERING
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a Phase I study?
A new drug must be tested extensively prior to being made available to the public.
Phase I studies usually include a small number of healthy volunteers. This phase is used to evaluate how safe a drug is, determine the required dose and identify any potential side effects associated with its use. A healthy volunteer is someone who does not need the new drug for the treatment of a current condition.
By becoming a volunteer for a clinical trial you will be making a valuable contribution to medical research by assisting in the development process of a new drug treatment.
Do I need to be registered with a doctor?
Volunteers are required to have been registered with a UK GP for at least three months. The Experimental Medicine Unit will contact your GP to obtain your current and past medical history details and information on any prescribed medication.
What if I've taken part in other trials?
You shouldn't take part in several trials either at the same time, or in close succession. We will register you with TOPS, a national service which guards against 'overvolunteering', to ensure you haven't volunteered elsewhere recently. We might have to contact clinical trials units where you've volunteered before. Find out about the TOPS system here.
Will I get paid for this work?
We pay expenses and compensate you for your time. The amount varies according to the duration of the trial, the number of visits and the length of each visit you make. When we invite you to join a trial we will inform you of the payment offered.
How long can a trial last?
A trial might involve outpatient visits or overnight stays. There may be several visits, and they might be spread over a few months, but every trial is different.
What kinds of studies are you currently running?
Check the details on our Current studies page.
Can I only volunteer for current studies?
If there are no studies suitable for you at the moment you can still Register your interest in volunteering in future. By registering you can let us know about yourself, so we can contact you when a suitable study comes up.