CLINICAL cancer trials could be stepped up in York as health chiefs attempt to increase the quality and quantity of research involving patients.

York Health Services NHS Trust is advertising for a part-time cancer research officer - a £22,000-£26,000 post funded by the Yorkshire Cancer Research Network - to increase involvement of York patients in trials of cancer treatment and other research into the disease.

The officer will be based at York Hospital and will work on a portfolio of studies, helping to identify and recruit suitable research participants, inform them about research and carry out consent procedures.

They will also support patients throughout the study and collect and enter research data.

The Trust is a participant in Yorkshire Cancer Research Network, which is one of 34 networks across the country, and already has a number of consultants leading clinical trials.

The data collected in and around York could form part of local, regional or national trials.

Caroline Mozley, head of research and development with York Health Services NHS Trust, said the purpose of the new post was to improve participation in cancer trials - and ultimately improve cancer services.

She said: "It's very difficult to recruit patients for trials, manage the data collection and do it properly without specific staff. It's not the sort of thing that fits into the corners of a clinical job.

"The focus for us is to help the national cancer research strategy and give cancer patients the opportunity to participate in trials if they want to. It's a half-time post which receives funding from the cancer research network.

"We have got to have somebody who knows how to go through this process so they can give proper information and basically see patients through the trial.

"We have a number of consultants who participate in trials at the moment and have done for a number of years. They just need help with that so we can do more and we can do it better."

Ms Mozley said that no patients would be forced to take part in the trials. All information will be given to them and all risks and benefits discussed. Each trial will be overseen by an ethics committee.

She said: "We don't set out to sell or convince. It is the case that an awful lot of people, if they are given full information, are happy to participate in research studies for altruistic reasons.

"People don't want to be taken for granted, but a lot of people think that helping with medical research is a good thing.

"The crucial thing is that we be completely open and honest with people about what's involved.

"We think that it will improve our services to patients in some ways."

Updated: 09:37 Friday, January 24, 2003