Work Begins on New Research Facility at Devon NHS Partnership Trust's Wonford House Site

Work has commenced on a new state-of-the-art research facility at Devon NHS Partnership Trust's Wonford House site in Exeter, marking a significant milestone in the Trust's ambition to expand access to clinical research and improve health outcomes for communities across Devon.

Representatives from Devon NHS Partnership Trust and Vanguard Healthcare Solutions recently gathered for an informal ceremony to mark the start of on-site groundworks. Construction of the building modules is taking place simultaneously at Vanguard's manufacturing facility, significantly reducing the overall project duration compared with traditional construction methods.

The facility is being delivered by Vanguard Healthcare Solutions using modern modular construction methods, enabling a faster and more efficient build programme while maintaining the highest standards of quality and sustainability. Devon NHS Partnership Trust provides a wide range of NHS services for people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia. The Trust, which is rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission, employs approximately 3,500 people and has contact with around 30,000 people every month.

The new facility forms part of the Trust's wider strategy to increase research participation and address inequalities in access to clinical trials. Research undertaken through the NHS England Research Engagement Network Development project identified lower participation in research among people with mental health conditions compared with those with physical health conditions, as well as lower participation among men, younger people, and people living in more deprived and rural communities.

Located on the Wonford House site in Exeter, the dedicated research centre will support the delivery of both commercial and non-commercial clinical research studies across a broad range of specialties, including mental health, dementia, children and adolescent mental health services, and physical health conditions experienced by people living with mental illness.

The facility will include:

• A dedicated laboratory and clinical trials pharmacy designed to support the secure storage and preparation of investigational medicinal products and biological samples.
• A physical health assessment and infusion room equipped to support a broad range of clinical research studies.
• Specially designed therapy rooms, including a group therapy space, suitable for mental health, dementia and psychedelic research programmes.
• Flexible spaces that support virtual follow-up appointments, helping participants engage with research from their own homes.
• Modern reception, waiting, office and staff welfare facilities.

The development will create the specialist environment required to support complex clinical trials while improving accessibility for participants across Devon. By combining a central research hub with the ability to deliver aspects of research activity in patients' homes, the Trust aims to improve recruitment, retention and participation from underserved communities.