Performance on Clinical Trials

At Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust we are constantly working towards improving outcomes for our patients and improving the health and well being of the people who use our services and their families, friends and carers. Central to this is our commitment to research.

Emergency Department (ED)

We are a nationally renowned research team based in the Emergency Departments at ESTH. We have run over 19 National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)  portfolio studies since our team was formed by our research lead, Dr Rebecca Macfarlane in 2017, who went on to win the Royal College of Emergency Medicine 'Principal Investigator of the year' award in 2021.

We have recruited over 3500 patients to studies in the last three years, including priority Covid-19 studies. We work closely with the the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) and NIHR, as well as our nursing, medical and Research and Development colleagues to deliver high quality research that provides evidence for best practice in Emergency Medicine for our patients and staff. 

 

Clinical Trials Unit 

In 2018 we started out as a small team of three Nurses all passionate about Research and the great opportunities it represents for the participants; we have since grown our team to six (soon to be seven), through dedication and determination to deliver the very best quality research across the Trust.

We currently have 27 actively recruiting studies, with many more in follow up.  Our participants generously volunteer their time often for the benefit of others. As a result we can now offer studies, in cardiology, dermatology, haematology, respiratory, theatres, orthopaedics, general planned surgery, paediatrics, gastroenterology, sexual health, urology, rheumatology, and renal commercial studies. 

During the Covid19 pandemic we worked on the National Emergency Covid19 studies, recruiting more than 927 participants and delivering vital research into Covid19 treatment and care. As a direct result, the Standard of Care was changed, improving survival rates across the globe. We strongly believe that research should be in every area of healthcare to give the opportunity for choice in care, and drive better outcomes for all.

 

Clinical Trials Unit 

We currently have 27 actively recruiting studies, with many more in follow up.  Our participants generously volunteer their time often for the benefit of others. As a result we can now offer studies, in cardiology, dermatology, haematology, respiratory, theatres, orthopaedics, general planned surgery, paediatrics, gastroenterology, sexual health, urology, rheumatology, and renal commercial studies. 

During the Covid19 pandemic we worked on the National Emergency Covid19 studies, recruiting more than 927 participants and delivering vital research into Covid19 treatment and care. As a direct result, the Standard of Care was changed, improving survival rates across the globe. We strongly believe that research should be in every area of healthcare to give the opportunity for choice in care, and drive better outcomes for all.

Stroke

The stroke service continues to expand its NIHR research portfolio with recruitment from multi-centred trials, some of which are reviewing timing of anticoagulation and motivational interviewing post stroke. Patient feedback has been positive with many patients willing to support other studies. 

 

SWLEOC

The Academic Surgical Unit is continually expanding its portfolio of Research, Outcome Service Evaluation Data Collection, Quality Improvements Projects and Audits. The Academic Surgical Units current interests are regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence (AI), patient reported outcome measures, sustainability and rehabilitation.  

We actively recruit patients onto studies at SWLEOC, including multi-centre, Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) compliant surveillance studies of new implants, and National Institute of Health Research portfolio studies.  We are currently leading a quality improvement project which aims to transform the management of outpatients to increase capacity and ultimately reduce waiting list times. 

The Academic Surgical Unit has been successful in building an outcomes database for patients who have hip, knee and shoulder surgery. This information has led to constant improvements in the services and treatments delivered to patients. To date, the database has data collected from over 60,000 patients, and 45 surgeons. This data is regularly reviewed and analysed by surgeons, hospital management and researchers allowing for evaluation to devise new and improved measures to treat patients. 

We have promoted the sharing of ideas through publications in peer-reviewed journals and active participation in relevant national and international conferences such as the British Hip Society, British Society of Knee Surgery, British Orthopaedic Association and The European federation of Orthopaedic and traumatology. 

 

Renal

Renal research delivers both Interventional and non-interventional clinical trials involving renal patients. Our mission is to ensure that all Renal patients within the trust are adequately informed of the renal research studies taking place in the trust.

We run studies for pre-dialysis, haemodialysis, transplant, peritoneal and access patients and we are well-known in the SL CRN for our contribution to renal research.

Although some of the patients may not receive direct benefits at present from our large-scale observational studies, renal patients can participate in these studies and contribute to our knowledge and understanding of some of the rare renal disease areas with the understanding that these studies will lead to the development of future treatments.

Whatever, your diagnosis may be, you can always help by taking part in renal research.