Our research team has been recognised for its role in a ground-breaking research trial into treatments for COVID-19.
Respiratory consultant Ben Prudon and the research and development team have both been awarded “Outstanding Research Contribution” from the Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria.
For Ben this relates to the part he played in leading the Trust’s contribution to the Recovery trial – a national clinical trial to identify treatments beneficial for people hospitalised with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The wider research team have been commended for their work not only to this important trial but for all of the other COVID research trials they supported since March.
The Trust’s research team has been a leading performer in the Recovery trial. The team is consistently being placed in the top five recruiting hospital sites across the country by percentage of available patients who have taken part.
“Delighted and honoured”
Respiratory consultant and our Trust’s study lead Ben Prudon said: “Both myself and the team are delighted and honoured to be nominated for this award. This nomination represents the truly outstanding work the team have carried out over the last few months.
“We have consistently been the highest recruiting organisation in the region and among the best proportionally across the country. We consistently perform above what a Trust our size is expected to when it comes to research.
“In just a relatively short time, this study has shown very positive outcomes for patients and has helped lead to some exciting developments.”
These include the significant finding that the steroid treatment, dexamethasone, has helped reduced the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators.
The wider research team have contributed to 15 national COVID research trials since March. More recently they have been working with the NHS Blood and Transplant service who are making appointments for people to donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma, including for NHS staff affected.
