Team recognised for clinical research contribution

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust’s (SWFT) Critical Care Research team was thrilled to be presented with the ‘Emerging New Team 2016’ award by the Clinical Research Network (CRN). The CRN is part of the NHS’ clinical research arm known as the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The award was presented to the team at the CRN’s recent West Midlands conference which was held at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. It was recognition of their contribution to the CRN West Midlands’ research activity.

Two years ago there was no significant research activity on at Warwick Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but after carrying out a successful study in April 2015 the team has gone from strength to strength. CRN funding has enabled the team to expand and recruit patients on to several additional clinical trials. These trials help to improve our knowledge of illnesses and how to treat them which results in better clinical care for patients. Research also benefits healthcare professionals by encouraging best practice and reflective learning.

The team’s research is helping to:

Improve the psychological well-being of patients after a critical illness

Learn more about intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) in critically ill patients

Investigate the prevalence of using kidney replacement therapy for patients with kidney injury

Look at decision making in Intensive Care

Professor Jeremy Kirk, Clinical Director of CRN West Midlands said:

“We were absolutely delighted with both the quality and quantity of nominations for the first annual CRN West Midlands Awards, and it really was a very challenging task to decide all the categories. Very many congratulations to the winners and those who were Highly Commended - they really exemplify not only the wide range but also exceptionally high standard of research being carried out in our region.”

Dr Ben Attwood, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, and Principal Investigator for all studies carried out in the ICU added:

'I am thrilled that the hard work of the research team, the clinicians and nursing staff on the ICU has been recognised by this award. Going from zero to fifty-plus patients recruited to research trials has been an exciting journey for all of us, but I am confident that our continued participation to these cutting-edge studies will continue to inform our delivery of high-quality care to patients in our intensive care unit.’

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