Medical Matters: Punching above our weight so patients prosper

It continues to be an exciting time for the Trust in the area of research.

We are consistently punching above our weight, becoming involved in a number of trials, working with partners from across the globe that could have potentially amazing benefits for both current and future patients.

We are one of the best-performing trusts for the number of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) recruiting studies and commercial studies we are involved in. Research plays a pivotal role in improving our services both locally and regionally, and in the past year we recruited over two thousand participants to over 70 NIHR clinical research network studies across our clinical specialities.

Some examples include:

Our Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Research Team have now moved into the next phase of the Chariot MS trial; we are the only Trust in the region who are part of this potentially groundbreaking national trial, giving hope to those who are losing limb movement due to MS.

Our Trust was selected as the regional treating site for the cancer vaccine launchpad, and as a result, we were the first site in the South-West to deliver a personalised vaccine to patients with bowel cancer, heralding the start of transformative treatment for cancer.

We lead the way in recruiting for trials in the areas of oncology, haematology, orthopaedics, breast care and cardiology, to name but a few; we also hope to share with you all soon some exciting news in radiotherapy thanks to our excellence in research.

Our staff working on studies such as this, with patients and the public offering to be part of trials, is absolutely vital in us being able to create cures and new treatments for some of the most debilitating or life-limiting conditions we face, giving hope to future generations.

The first clinical trial is believed to have taken place in 1747, where a surgeon in the British Navy tested citrus fruit on a dozen people and subsequently found a cure for scurvy.

From such humble beginnings, we have managed to all but eradicate polio in the UK and now have thousands of treatments and cures for all types of conditions and diseases thanks to research and clinical trials.

There are many different types of research studies and clinical trials which we are involved with; some look at improving current treatments, while others focus on specific conditions or new medical devices. All of our studies and trials follow strict rules on medical ethics and have been approved by the relevant governing bodies.

The NIHR has recently launched the ‘Be Part of Research’ campaign, which we fully support; we have also recently celebrated International Clinical Trials Day.

Both campaigns are encouraging more people to sign up and to become research volunteers.

Please take the time to find out more about research by visiting www.nihr.ac.uk, as life-changing treatments start with people like you.

Both healthy people and those with a health condition are needed to take part in health and social care research. There is a wide range of studies that we need your help with, and you can partake in studies at times and locations to suit you.

All you need to do is sign up online and choose the areas of research you are interested in, and the NIHR will match you to suitable studies based on your interests and where you live; as ever, the decision on whether to take part is always yours.