The Clinical Trials Unit is located within the Manchester Cancer Research Centre. Previously located at the Christie this team was relocated here to collaborate with the various departments housed within this facility. This facility also provided the Clinical Trials Unit access to new NHS technical memoranda met laboratory spaces, academic offices, office accommodation for various uses including writing confidential reports as well as a publicly accessible lecture theatre alongside a bistro.

Collaboration and integration were key challenges for this project. Since the Christies Clinical Trials Unit occupies an entire floor, the goal of greater collaboration and engagement between departments was a difficult goal to achieve. This was addressed through the shared entrance the Clinical Trials Unit has with the rest of departments and teams housed within the Manchester Cancer Research Centre.

The design and layout of the clinical trials unit ensures that all appropriate steps are taken to adhere to the stringent standards expected of any medical trials taking place. Private rooms alongside cubicle design elements with the use of screens for the rest of the office were done to ensure confidentiality was protected as much as possible. However, the open plan space includes collaborative spaces and social spaces to ensure staff don’t feel isolated and can maximise collaboration which as mentioned was a key challenge but also a key deliverable for this project.