This article is published as part of Capsticks’ Medical Malpractice Forward View 2022.

Since early 2020, clinical trials have focused almost entirely on Covid-19 vaccines and treatments. This year is likely to see a resurgence of non-Covid trials which have been postponed or paused in the last two years, and new trials for Covid treatments and vaccines (e.g. those based on conventional vaccine technology and/or without the need for injection).

Increased activity in the sector will take place against a backdrop of the government’s Life Sciences Vision (LSV) and the Clinical Trials Consultation (CTC). The LSV is backed by a £200m investment programme. The CTC proposes various mechanisms to remove blockers to innovation and streamline the trials process (e.g. low intervention and cluster trials).

What this means for you: Both the LSV and CTC proposals present significant opportunities for those involved in clinical trials. Organisations involved in the sector are encouraged to respond to the CTC which closes on 14 March 2022. The increased number of trials will present increased risk, so you need to check the adequacy of your indemnity cover and the scope and robustness of your trials policies and procedures (in particular around participant eligibility criteria, consent and data security). Read our Insight on key practical considerations for those involved in clinical trials.

Medical Malpractice Forward View 2022 

This article is part of Capsticks’ Medical Malpractice Forward View 2022. 

Read the other articles featured in this publication below: 

• Spotlight on two liability decisions to watch out for in 2022
• Fixed recoverable costs in low value clinical negligence claims are on the horizon
• Concussion injury in elite sport will remain in the headlines
• Inquests: failures of care during the pandemic may be scrutinised more closely, but ‘following the science’ will likely continue to be the dominant theme on causation
• Procedures and policies, including national policy decisions, will be central to the defence of Covid-related claims
• The latest on the Covid-19 Public Inquiry
• Learning from the Paterson Inquiry: new legislation on regulation, co-operation between regulators and more
• The rollout of technology to support the delivery of care will continue apace, with data security coming into ever sharper focus
• There is likely to be an increase in the number of clinical trials
• Safety of medicines and medical devices will come under closer scrutiny

Get in touch

Aiming to be the firm of choice for medical malpractice insurers and healthcare providers, we advise and support on all aspect of medical malpractice claims and inquests. 

To discuss how any of these issues may affect your organisation, please get in touch with Majid Hassan, Sarah Bryant or Ed Mellor.