If you live in or around London or Manchester and have been wondering whether you could take part in a medical trial, you are in the right place. Medical trials, also called clinical trials, run all across the UK, including right here at our clinics in London and Manchester. This guide explains what they are, what taking part involves, and how you can register your interest with 4MCS.
What Is a Medical Trial?
A medical trial is a research study that tests whether a new medicine, treatment or procedure is safe and works well. Before any new treatment can be made available on the NHS, it has to be tested in trials with real people. These studies help scientists and doctors learn what works, what does not, and how to improve care for everyone in the future.
Trials are run in different stages, called phases. Each phase involves more people and gathers more information about safety and effectiveness.
| Phase | What It Tests | Typical Number of Participants |
| Phase 1b | Early safety and dosing | Small group (often under 100) |
| Phase 2 | Whether the treatment works | Hundreds of people |
| Phase 3 | Comparing against existing treatments | Hundreds to thousands |
| Phase 4 | Long-term safety after approval | Large numbers |
All clinical trials in the UK are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and must be approved by an independent ethics committee before they can begin. You can read more about how trials are regulated on the NHS clinical trials page.
Why Do People Take Part?
People choose to take part in medical trials for many reasons.
They may have a health condition and want access to a new treatment being studied. They want to play a part in advancing medical research that could help others. They also receive close medical monitoring and check-ups throughout the study.
It is worth knowing that trials at 4MCS do not pay participants. However, travel expenses are covered, so that getting to and from the clinic does not cost you anything.
You can leave a trial at any point, for any reason, without it affecting the care you receive elsewhere.
Medical Trials in London and Manchester: Our Two Clinics
4MCS runs clinical research studies at two locations in the UK, so wherever you are based, there is likely to be a clinic within easy reach.
Ilford Clinic, London
1A Balfour Road, London, IG1 4HP
This has been our home clinic since 2019. It is easy to reach by public transport from across the city, with Ilford railway station and its Elizabeth line connections a short walk away, and several bus routes running along Balfour Road.
Swinton Clinic, Manchester
Suite A, Beech Court, M60 Office Park, Wynne Avenue, Swinton, Manchester, M27 8FF
Set within a purpose-designed office park just off the M60 motorway, this clinic offers free parking on site, and Swinton train station is around ten minutes away.
Our team has over 130 years of combined experience in clinical research, and we have a database of more than 35,000 people with a wide range of health conditions. We are approved by the MHRA and follow strict guidelines to keep every participant safe.
You can browse the studies open at our London and Manchester clinics, or see everything we are recruiting for on our current clinical trials page.
What Conditions Are Being Studied?
At 4MCS, we run trials across a range of health conditions. Some of the areas currently being studied include:
- Fatty liver disease — for people with a build-up of fat in the liver, often linked to conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. This Fatty Liver Disease Manchester trial runs from our Fatty Liver Disease Swinton clinic in Greater Manchester, and is also open at our Ilford clinic in London.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) — for people whose blood pressure is not well controlled by their current medication, and who already have, or are at high risk of, heart or blood vessel disease. This study is known as the Hypertension ZENITH trial and is open at both our London and Manchester clinics.
- Asthma — for people who have been diagnosed with asthma. Our Asthma London trial is running now from the Ilford clinic.
- Atrial fibrillation — a heart rhythm condition, for those not currently on medication for it.
- Migraine — for people who experience regular migraine headaches.
- Psoriasis — a skin condition caused by an overactive immune system.
- Depression — for people whose symptoms have not improved with standard treatments.
- Lower back pain — particularly for those experiencing side effects from opioid pain medication.
- Myasthenia gravis — a rare condition that causes muscle weakness.
- Premenopausal effects on sexual health — for people experiencing hormonal changes.
Not every trial will be right for everyone. Each study has its own eligibility criteria, which the team will check with you before anything else.
What Does Taking Part Involve?
Step 1: Express Your Interest
The first step is simply getting in touch. You can call us free on 03300 575 838 or email volunteer@4mcs.co.uk. A member of the team will have a brief conversation with you to get an idea of whether you might be eligible for a particular study.
Step 2: Screening Visit
If the initial conversation suggests you could be a good fit, you will be invited in for a screening visit at our Ilford or Swinton clinic. This is a detailed check-up to confirm whether you meet all the requirements for the trial. You can find out what happens at a clinical trial screening visit before you attend.
Step 3: Informed Consent
Before you join any trial, the team will explain everything clearly, including what the study involves, what is expected of you, any possible risks, and what happens if you want to leave. You will be given time to read everything and ask questions. You will only proceed if you are happy to sign a consent form. Our guide to informed consent in clinical trials explains this in more detail.
Step 4: Taking Part
Once enrolled, you will attend appointments at the clinic as set out in the study plan. This might involve taking a medication, having regular check-ups, completing questionnaires, or a combination of these. The team is always on hand to support you throughout.
Is It Safe?
Yes. All trials at 4MCS are approved by the MHRA and an independent ethics committee before they begin. Every study follows Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, which are international standards that protect participants at every stage. You can read more about how clinical trials protect participants.
You will receive clear information before making any decision, and you can withdraw at any time without it affecting your standard healthcare.
How Do I Find Out More?
If you are interested in taking part in a medical trial in London or Manchester, the best starting point is to get in touch with our team directly. You can also see our full guide on how to take part in clinical research in the UK for a broader overview of the process.
Call us free on 03300 575 838, email volunteer@4mcs.co.uk, or get in touch through our contact page.
