Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has grown the number of participants recruited for research trials by over 25% in the last year, making its Research and Innovation (R&I) team one of the most successful in the south-east of England.
The number of people taking part in research trials has risen from just under 3,400 people in 2021/22 to just over 4,500 in 2022/23 so far.
The swelling numbers means the Trust’s R&I team recently ranked 4th for trial recruitment, according to National Institute for Health and Care Research data, beaten only by large research institutions at Oxford, Southampton and Portsmouth University Hospitals.
Those recruited by the Bucks team took part in important research, including the Recovery trial which studied treatments for COVID-19, a trial to create a computer programme able to read abnormalities in MRIs, as well as one to create an award-winning Releaf handheld urinal.
The research done at the Trust has also been associated to over 100 publications this year.
Nicola Higgins, Interim Head of Research at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the achievements of the Research team at the Trust. A strong commitment to research is key to providing the best possible care for our patients, through continuous learning and collaboration with other trusts.
“We opened a dedicated Clinical Research facility in 2021, despite all the challenges of the pandemic. The team has been amazing, using this space to set up and run local and national research projects with incredible efficiency. This effort has been rewarded with their recognition by the NIHR.”