Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals (BHRUT), Barts Health and Homerton Healthcare are teaming up on the Commercial Delivery Centre, which will be one of 14 hubs in England, including three in London.

Andrew Deaner, chief medical officer, said: ‘We are hugely excited about this project and the potential to increase the amount of clinical research we do at our trust, while giving our patients quicker access to advanced treatments.

‘It's also key that it will help us to address health inequalities and ensure more of our diverse groups of patients have access to clinical trials.'

The centre, which will be hosted by Barts at The Royal London Hospital, is expected to launch in April.

The announcement comes after BHRUT was awarded a £6.5m research grant for a study using ultrasound waves to stimulate the brain, with the goal of improving mood and reducing depression. The funding is shared with the trust's partners, Forest Neurotech and the University of Plymouth.