New clinical trial regulations came into force today – How NWEH aligns with the UK’s biggest trial reforms in 20 years

Today marks a significant moment for UK clinical research.

Our Head of Product, Siobhan Duncan shares her thoughts on the new clinical trial regulations that came into force today, the 28 April 2026, and how they represent the biggest overhaul in over 20 years. The updated regulations are designed to make trials faster to set up, more transparent, and more patient-centric, while maintaining the highest safety standards.

At NorthWest EHealth (NWEH), this isn’t something we need to react to, it’s something we’ve already been building towards.

Our approach across ConneXon and FARSITE aligns directly with, and in many areas exceeds, the intent of these reforms:

Faster, streamlined trial setup
The move to combined review and accelerated approvals is mirrored in how we deliver trials today, reducing friction between feasibility, recruitment and study delivery, and enabling rapid study initiation at scale.

Risk-proportionate, pragmatic trial design
The introduction of notifiable trials and faster pathways for low-risk studies reflects a clear shift towards pragmatic research. This is exactly where FARSITE operates, enabling GP-led recruitment and trials embedded in routine care.

Inclusion and diversity in research
A key ambition of the reforms is to ensure clinical trials better reflect the populations they serve. Through FARSITE’s access to large-scale, real-world primary care data and GP-led recruitment model, we enable broader, more representative patient identification, reaching populations that are often underrepresented in traditional site-based trials.

Transparency and data readiness
With trial registration and results publication now a legal requirement, the industry must move towards better data governance and accessibility. ConneXon’s data-first architecture ensures data is integrated, standardised, and analysis-ready throughout the trial lifecycle, not just at the end.

Modern, digital-first infrastructure
The new regulations emphasise streamlined digital processes and reduced duplication. ConneXon connects EHR, eCRF, and external data sources to remove silos and create a unified, real-time view of study data.

Innovation in trial design and delivery
From real-world data to AI-driven approaches, the reforms open the door to new methodologies. This aligns closely with our ongoing work to enhance feasibility, optimise recruitment, and improve trial outcomes.

These reforms are about more than compliance, they are about repositioning the UK as a global leader in clinical research.

At NWEH, we’re proud to already be delivering on that vision.

If you’d like to discuss your clinical trial requirements with us, please reach out here.