Two of the Trust’s research team’s based in Shropshire took home top prizes at the third annual Clinical Research Network (CRN) West Midlands awards held in Birmingham on 4 October 2018.
The Shropshire Sexual Health research team won CRN’s Collaboration in Research award, while the Shropshire Dementia research team won in the Emerging New Team category.
Ruth Lambley-Burke, Head of Research and Innovation at MPFT said: “These awards cover all trusts within the West Midlands so it is great to get recognition like this – it was an achievement just to get nominated but to receive two awards is fantastic and is testament to the hard work of both teams.
“It is a great boost for the teams and for the medics, who are giving up their time for research to benefit their patients through ensuring they have the best evidence to utilise in their clinical practice.”
The Sexual Health research team was recognised for its excellent partnership working following the transfer of sexual health services in Shropshire to the Trust in 2016. The research department funded one of the sexual health nurses to take up a role as a research champion to help engage with the service and identify service users who would be suitable recruits for studies.
This has resulted in successful HIV studies, studies looking at safe sex promotion and the team has just opened its second clinical trial.
Meanwhile, the Shropshire Dementia research team was awarded after a period of growth over the last 12 months which has seen it expand significantly to include three research nurses and a clinical studies assistant. The team has also had a lot of medical support from three consultant psychiatrists in particular.
This has had a notable and positive impact on recruitment to clinical studies and the dementia team have been able to take part in a range of studies and trials, with hugely useful findings.
Neil Carr, Chief Executive of MPFT said: “I am always impressed with the wide range of high quality clinical research being carried out by our research department at MPFT and the fantastic partnership working between the team and our clinical staff to achieve significant findings.
“These awards are excellent recognition of the importance we place upon research at the Trust and of the great work being carried out by the teams to make life better for our communities.”