Trust reaches research milestone with 3000 patients recruited to Covid studies
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has now recruited more than 3000 patients to Covid-19 Urgent Public Health (UPH) clinical research studies, putting the Trust among the top 5 in the country in terms of patients recruited.
In early 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic first hit the UK, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) asked NHS Trusts, universities and other research organisations to prioritise particular studies and trials to help support the global response to Covid-19. More than 60 Urgent Public Health studies across the UK have been initiated since then.
As part of the Academic Health Science Centre and in partnership with Imperial College London, more than 20 UPH studies are currently underway at the Trust. These studies look at everything from potential new anti-viral treatments, population testing, further understanding and characterising of the virus to finding a vaccine that could prevent it, as well as validating testing to help pave the way for life to return to normal.
Dr Paul Craven, head of research operations, said: “Recruiting more than 3,000 patients into national, high-priority Covid-19 studies since the end of March is a great achievement for the Trust. It really is an outstanding tribute to those who have worked tirelessly in approving, setting up and delivering these studies for the Trust, including our dedicated research nurses, allied health professionals and clinical research practitioners.”
Studies such as the REMAP-CAP trial, which is led in the UK by Professor Anthony Gordon, consultant in intensive care medicine, have shown promising early results for potential treatment options using drugs such as steroids and anti-inflammatory medication, that are already used safely to treat other illnesses.
The Trust is also recruiting patients for three vaccine studies, in partnership with Imperial College London, including the recently open Janssen study and Imperial’s own vaccine trial, which is investigating the use of an innovative RNA vaccine technology.
Dr Bob Klaber, director of strategy, research and innovation, said: “Research and partnership continues to be a vital part of the global response to the pandemic. I’m very proud to see that our Trust has been so integral in recruiting so many patients, without whom these trials would not be possible. When patients and their families agree to take part in studies or graciously give up their time to science, the outcomes and results have the potential to significantly benefit so many others across the world.”
For more information about taking part in research, visit: http://www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/
