Work begins on £2.2m mental health R&D facility
Work has commenced on a new, state-of-the-art research facility at Devon Partnership NHS Trust's (DPT) Wonford House site in Exeter. It marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s ambition to expand access to clinical research and improve health outcomes for communities across Devon.
The new facility forms part of DPT’s wider strategy to increase research participation and address inequalities in access to clinical trials in the field of mental health. Research undertaken through the NHS England Research Engagement Network Development project has identified lower participation in research among people with mental health conditions compared with those with physical health conditions, as well as lower participation among men, younger people and people living in more deprived and rural communities.
Located on the Wonford House site in Exeter, the dedicated research centre will support the delivery of both commercial and non-commercial clinical research studies across a broad range of specialties, including mental health, dementia, children and adolescent mental health services and physical health conditions experienced by people living with mental illness.
The new facility is part-funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and is being delivered by Vanguard Healthcare Solutions using modern modular construction methods, enabling a faster and more efficient build programme while maintaining the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
Tobit Emmens, Associate Director of Research and Development at DPT, said:
"We have wanted a dedicated place to conduct research for about 20 years. This gives us an opportunity to make research more available to all sorts of people – including those with a range of mental health needs. We are building our mood disorder research clinic here, too, working with the University of Exeter and creating opportunities to trial novel treatments. One day, we hope to play a small part in finding more effective treatments for common conditions such as dementia, anxiety and depression.
The new facility is expected to open in autumn 2026. It will include:
- A dedicated laboratory and clinical trials pharmacy designed to support the secure storage and preparation of investigational medicinal products and biological samples.
- A physical health assessment and infusion room equipped to support a broad range of clinical research studies.
- Specially designed therapy rooms, including a group therapy space, suitable for mental health, dementia and psychedelic research programmes.
- Flexible spaces that support virtual follow-up appointments, helping participants engage with research from their own homes.
- Modern reception, waiting, office and staff welfare facilities.
The development will create the specialist environment required to support complex clinical trials while improving accessibility for participants across Devon. By combining a central research hub with the ability to deliver aspects of research activity in patients' homes, DPT aims to improve recruitment, retention and participation in clinical trials from underserved communities.
