Member-led. Transparent. Built for primary care.
The PCRA was set up by GPs to work for GPs. We connect medtech, pharma and CROs with the right primary care sites. Because we match sponsors with the right sites from the outset, patient recruitment flows smoothly and medtech in-service evaluations happen quickly — we work with sites that have the capacity at that moment in time.
Our network covers 8 million patients across 180 GP practices, 3 community trusts, 1 hospice and a large regional domiciliary care provider.
Day-to-day administration is handled by our practice manager Rachel, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Leadership
Dr Daphne Hazell
CEO & Founder
Practising GP and clinical research lead. Daphne manages day-to-day operations and strategy, drawing on direct experience in primary care research delivery.
Dr Daphne Hazell is a GP, wound care specialist, and the founder and CEO of the Primary Care Research Alliance. She trained at King’s College London and has spent her career working at the intersection of general practice, clinical research, and medical innovation. She also leads Home Wound Care, sits on the NICE GP Reference Panel, and was appointed an NIHR Primary Care Research Champion in 2026.
LinkedIn Profile
Steve Gore
CFO
Steve oversees financial governance and ensures PCRA operates transparently and sustainably as a not-for-profit limited company.
A Chartered Accountant qualified with Deloitte and a Mathematics graduate of the University of Southampton, Steve has spent his career as a CFO and Non-Executive Director across technology, healthcare, and professional services businesses. At PCRA, Steve handles all financial aspects of studies — contracting, payments, financial reporting, and governance.
LinkedIn ProfileThe Team
Our day-to-day team is led by Dr Daphne Hazell and Rachel Guiney. Between them and the wider team, we cover clinical oversight, study coordination, site liaison, finance, compliance, and everything in between.
Rachel Guiney
Lead Administrator
Rachel works behind the scenes to support study coordination across the network — tracking progress, managing communications, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Richard
Data Protection & Information Governance
Richard ensures that every study conducted through the PCRA network meets the highest standards of data protection and information governance.
Advisory Board
The PCRA is member-led, with a large advisory board of GPs drawn from practices across our network. Board members shape our direction, quality standards, and the studies we take on — ensuring decisions are always grounded in what works in real primary care settings.
Transparent Fees
PCRA charges a straightforward 10% fee on every study. No hidden costs, no surprises. Here are two worked examples:
10-patient in-service evaluation (medtech)
- Sponsor cost
- £15,000
- PCRA fee
- £1,500 (10%)
- Per patient
- £150
100-patient clinical trial across 3 primary care sites
- Sponsor cost
- £100,000
- PCRA fee
- £10,000 (10%)
- Per patient
- £100
What our clients say
“I first worked with the business as a Sponsor needing a rapid rescue after a failed trial start up abroad. It was a complex community based clinical trial, and the contracting and set up was so straightforward - with the potential PI being on every call. The ‘can-do’ cheerful ethos, the honesty and transparency throughout, and the fact they do exactly what they say they will do – makes them special in this industry.”
“A refreshing company to deal with. I am amazed how quickly they could start our study, and it was so professionally run. From first discussion to first patient in was less than 8 weeks.”
“I have spent my entire career working in the industry and would highly recommend them.”
“All the enthusiastic, cheerful team are a pleasure to deal with and nothing is too much trouble. The passion for the work shines through.”
Therapeutic Areas of Interest
Wound Care, Stoma Care & Continence
Including drug tariff and Part IX evidence
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Hypertension, diabetes, heart disease
Respiratory
Asthma, COPD, respiratory infections
Digital Health & Medical Devices
Wearables, remote monitoring, diagnostics
Dermatology
Chronic skin conditions, topical treatments
Vaccines & Prevention
Community vaccine trials and public health programmes
Rare Diseases
Screening programmes and quality improvement
For GP Practices
We are always looking for motivated GP practices, community trusts, and hospices that want to do more research — and be well supported and well paid for it.
- Access funded commercial research matched to your patient population and specialist interests
- Give patients early access to new treatments, devices, and innovations
- Additional revenue stream — commercial rates, alongside your existing NIHR activity
- All study equipment sourced and supplied — no capital outlay required
- Experienced CFO handles all financial aspects of studies
- Flexible participation — from a single case study to full clinical trial delivery
What Our Alliance Partners Say
“PCR Alliance made commercial research accessible for our practice. Our first study was up and running in just 3 weeks.”
— GP Principal, Large Practice, Southeast England
“We’ve participated in 5 studies through PCR Alliance. The quality of sponsors, the support provided, and the additional practice income have exceeded our expectations.”
— Practice Manager, Multi-Site Practice, Midlands
“As a practice new to research, we needed hand-holding. PCR Alliance provided training, templates, and ongoing support. We now have the confidence to take on complex trials.”
— Lead GP, Community Practice
Ready to start your study?
Whether you're a sponsor looking for primary care sites or a practice ready to join the network, we'd love to hear from you.