Our medical trial volunteers play a vital role in the development of new medicines. We appreciate the time our volunteers give up and aim to provide the best customer service and support throughout the process.
Our dedicated in-house recruitment team delivers a personal service and responds quickly to questions. We try to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible, and always respond directly to our volunteers should there be any queries.
Some of our volunteers have shared their experiences of participating in a clinical trial with us.
BBC Breakfast News feat. Richmond Pharmacology
BBC Breakfast News talks to Richmond and its volunteers about the risks and appeal of participating in medicine trials on the BBC Breakfast News show, featured Tuesday 22 May 2012.
Volunteer John Radcliff* was due to take part in a clinical trial with Richmond Pharmacology. A routine check up with one of our doctors showed that he had suffered from a silent heart attack in the days prior to him starting a clinical trial and he didn't even know!
Thanks to the thorough checks made by our doctors, and the swiftness of the A&E department of the Croydon Hospital, the potential volunteer received fast treatment and was back home within a week to recover.
"I went to Richmond Pharmacology on the Saturday as I was due to take part in one of the trials for the elderly.
As one last check before I was finally to be included on the study Dr Lin of Richmond Pharmacology took a blood test and ran an ECG (to check my heart). Dr Lin spotted immediately that something was not right on the ECG. He consulted with the Cardiology department and took me to the A&E department of the hospital straight away. Luckily this is only down the corridor from Richmond's Clinical Trials Unit at Croydon Hospital
The doctors in the A&E department confirmed that I had suffered a silent heart attack between the day of screening and the day of admission just prior to starting the study. Croydon Hospital kept me in for further monitoring and I had an operation to insert two coronary stents (little plastic tubes to widen my arteries and increase the blood flow to the heart).
I remember feeling a little bit under the weather before I came to Richmond, but put it down to straining myself with a suitcase. I had no idea I had suffered from a silent heart attack. If it wasn't for the ECG reading at Richmond Pharmacology I would have been totally unaware of what happened to me, and wouldn't have been in A&E so quickly.
The staff at Richmond Pharmacology and Croydon Hospital are all very helpful and continued to look after me even if I was unable to participate in their clinical trial; they even arranged a taxi for me to get back home to Eastbourne after my operation.
I volunteered to take part in a trial because I thought I was fit and healthy and had some spare time on my hands. It's disappointing I couldn't take part and I hope I can take part in a future trial!"
Unbelievable service! They looked after me so well, and I would recommend them to anyone interested in participating in a clinical trial. I want to thank all the staff at trials4us for their continued efforts and for looking after me so well.
Very impressive. Thank you for taking care of me and for the valuable service you offer.
Very professional environment in the heart of London to conduct studies that help discover the medicines of the future.
The initial process to get accepted on the trials was easy, and the payment was prompt and precise. The staff here at the clinic are lovely, very professional, helpful, and understanding.
“It’s like being part of a huge family gathering at Trials4us - even the cousin you don’t know very well goes out of their way to make you feel comfortable! Super professional as well as personable. 10/10”
“Trials4us has been very informative and answered all of my questions and queries. The care has also been great, I have not had to worry, all the information has been very clear. They are very helpful and respond quickly”
''I would like to thank Dr James Mitchell for always taking the time to answer any questions I have, no matter how small they are. He is very informed about my condition which is a novelty for me as my condition is very rare. His understanding has been a major influence in my participation of the trial''
''I'm honestly very pleased with my experience with Trials4us. They were very helpful, and transparent about every step. I would definitely recommend them. 10/10 experience. Daniel and Omari, were especially nice and helpful. Thank you''
''I have had really a great experience volunteering for a medical trial with Richmond Pharmacology. All the staff are very friendly, welcoming and caring. Everything is very well structured and organised, and we are being very well informed about the performed procedures. Also, when necessary precautionary measures are being taken to account for out of range blood results. Which indeed added to my feeling of safety considering the trial. It is very clear that the medical team does care foremost about the safety of the volunteers and provides care via daily check-ups, also dealing with questions and concerns at these occasions. Despite all the staff being absolutely lovely and caring I would however like to mention the Nurses Emmanuel and Lorenzo who are absolutely world class when it comes to taking blood. They always hit the vain spot on, pain free and on the first attempt. That way it is almost a pleasure to have one’s blood taken. Last but not least I would also like to mention our lovely Bella from the housekeeping team who is each morning like a ray of sunshine, spreading good mood and joking with us. She is very lovely and caring and asks about each of us volunteers' wellbeing which is really sweet. Throughout my stay I have felt extremely well looked after by each and every staff member in whose care I did find myself. And it is evident that the staff really cares deeply about our wellbeing which is indeed remarkable''
“Everyone at Trials4us has been friendly and willing to answer any of the questions I have had, of which there were several with it being my first ever trial”
''There's a lot to be said for volunteering as a test subject for Richmond. You will see inside a world that few people will ever see, being a part of a fascinating experience that will stay with you for a long time. Of course what you will be doing is important - in fact, it is vital. Medical and scientific research of this kind is absolutely essential, and human volunteers are right at the sharp end of the whole thing. It can't happen without you, and you will be saving lives. Finally, think of this. We use the word "volunteer" a little loosely. You'll get paid''
''Just been and completed a study trial and wow, how good it was. From the initial phone conversation to the screening to actual attendance of the study, everyone was super polite and helpful, pointed me in the right direction with what to do; the nurses kept apologizing when they needed me to do something. The whole process was so simple and I would definitely use Richmond Pharmacology again''
''Trials4us is the first clinic I decided to do a trial with, and at first I was a bit sceptical, but those feelings were quickly abolished every day I spent inside their facilities, during my in-house stay of 9-10 days. I met people who were in the same boat as me, joining for the first time. People who I quickly got along with. The workers were always lively and friendly, creating a very chilled and likeable environment. I am surprised I did not do these trials sooner, but I will definitely do it again in 3 months, once I’m eligible again. However, I will surely come back to Trials4us because I truly enjoyed the time I spent there''
''When I arrived the lady on reception was very helpful. Then I had a COVID 19 test and the man taking the test was very patient and friendly. So that was a great first impression. I waited around for a while, then spoke to a really helpful Doctor who was honest and easy to speak to. After the meeting I was shown to another area to have some tests taken. I expected to feel like I was just a means to an end, or not too important. In fact I was so impressed. All of the staff are very friendly. They all seemed to work together happily and like a well oiled machine. Lots of people came to test blood pressure, height, weight and lots of other tests. Each person was so nice. I can’t praise them enough as I was so impressed with the way everyone worked happily and helpfully and had time to ask about me and my life in general. The day went by quickly as it was so interesting''
‘’The ward is clean and comfortable, all amenities provided made my in-house stay feel like being at home. The staff are so friendly and accommodating, they really are a 5-star team’’
"I just wanted to ask if you could pass on my thanks to all the Guys and Girls that looked after me so amazing well last week (ward one) from Sunday through to Friday. You have an amazing team of fun and caring staff"
"This was my first trial, so obviously I was a little nervous, but the initial screening completely put me at rest, the procedure was so thorough and we had a lot of time with the initial Doctor to ask as many questions as we liked. After this meeting I was very happy to participate. The actual trial itself was very enjoyable! All the doctors and medical staff were so friendly and very good at their jobs. Having to put up with 8 post-menopausal women [study related] must have been trying at times, but they never stopped smiling. I would say that participating in a trial is something I will do again in the future. Not only do you get a thorough medical, and get to help future generations by trialling a new drug, you also get a lot of time to yourself which is a luxury. Omari, Mister and Julian were very helpful from the very start, and the medical assistants made the whole experience pleasurable - Kadim, Matt, Abi, Ernest, Cherry and Jedi. Even the Receptionists were very welcoming and thoughtful"
"My experience at Richmond Pharmacology was extraordinary and life enriching. My fellow volunteers were friendly, supportive, encouraging and entertaining. The front line staff were skilled, wonderful people - always friendly and kind, even when they were working at full pelt they never appeared frustrated just efficient. I cannot speak highly enough of them and the whole experience- I would do this again at a drop of a hat... "
"This is my first trial (ever) and I must say the experience was, so far, excellent. The team is very professional, friendly and helpful, providing all the answers and explanations needed . I recommend Richmond Pharmacology to anyone willing to take part in a trial study! "
"Everything in the clinic is excellent; staff, services, Conditions. The staff are super friendly, professional. Overall quite satisfied with the experience and will definitely repeat"
"I enjoyed taking part in a clinical trial with Richmond Pharmacology. The staff were patient, kind and will do everything they can to ensure your needs are met. I would like others to experience this, and would do it again myself! "
"I had a good time taking part in a week long trial at Richmond Pharmacology. I felt safe, was fed well and enjoy the free time to get a lot of writing g work done, and the staff and fellow volunteers were fun, kind and friendly. Recommend! "