Patients will be able to express interest in and sign up for cancer clinical trials directly through the NHS App under proposals set out in the government’s new Cancer Plan, marking a significant shift in how research is embedded into everyday care.
The change is designed to tackle one of the long-standing weaknesses of the UK’s clinical research system: low and uneven patient participation. Despite the NHS being one of the world’s largest single health systems, only a small proportion of cancer patients currently take part in clinical trials, often because opportunities are poorly advertised or dependent on where a patient happens to receive care.
By using the NHS App as a national front door, policymakers hope to make trial participation more visible, more equitable and easier to navigate. Patients will be able to view relevant studies, register interest and receive information digitally, rather than relying solely on conversations during clinic appointments. Supporters argue that this could fundamentally change the relationship between patients and research. Instead of trials being an optional extra offered inconsistently by clinicians, research participation becomes a standard part of the patient journey, presented alongside appointments, test results and care plans.
For the NHS, the potential benefits are substantial. Faster and broader recruitment could help the UK remain competitive as a destination for global cancer research, at a time when sponsors increasingly look for health systems that can deliver studies at speed and scale. Improved recruitment also increases the likelihood that trials reflect the diversity of the population, strengthening the quality of evidence generated.
There are also clinical implications. Patients enrolled in trials often receive closer monitoring and earlier access to innovative therapies. Embedding trials more systematically into cancer pathways could help reduce variation in outcomes and ensure that innovation reaches patients more quickly. However, the shift raises practical and ethical questions. Clear communication will be essential to ensure patients understand what trial participation involves and that digital sign-up does not replace informed clinical discussion. There are also concerns about digital exclusion, particularly among older patients or those with limited access to technology, which could inadvertently widen inequalities if not addressed.
Clinicians will need confidence that the system supports, rather than burdens, already stretched services. Interest expressed through the app must translate into well-managed pathways, with capacity in research teams to assess eligibility and follow up promptly.
The move reflects a broader ambition within the Cancer Plan to normalise research as part of routine care, rather than a parallel activity. It also signals a more consumer-style approach to healthcare, where patients are given greater visibility and agency over the options available to them. Whether the policy succeeds will depend less on the technology itself and more on execution. If done well, the NHS App could become a powerful bridge between patients and research. If done poorly, it risks becoming another digital feature that promises access but struggles to deliver it in practice.
