Research Department

Research could not happen without the support of patients, carers and members of the public. Your help to assist us improve services is vital, both for the present and future generations. Each year about 750 new patients take part in our studies and we currently have approximately 40 studies open.

Taking part in a trial may include any of the following:

• Talking to researchers
• Completing questionnaires
• Letting us take blood samples or other measurements e.g. blood pressure, urine tests
• Taking a new medicine or trying a new treatment

Why take part?

• You may benefit from a new treatment or test or others may benefit in the future
• You may want to contribute to improving care for others
• You may feel that you like the extra attention and time that sometimes participation in a trial can provide.
• You may want to increase your knowledge about your condition.

Research Studies

Research Studies that we are currently involved in include the following specialities:

• Diabetes
• Critical Care
• Cancer and haematology
• Heart disease
• Surgery
• Midwifery
• Emergency Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Trauma and Orthopaedics
• Paediatrics
• Rheumatology

We support clinicians to open studies and actively seek to open studies in new specialities. Participation as a patient is voluntary and patients who do not wish to participate will still receive the best care that we can offer.

All research conducted within the Trust has been reviewed by the Research Governance department within the Research and Development team, to ensure robust standards are maintained.

Performance

You can see our performance here.

Should you wish to know more about the studies open to recruitment within any particular specialty please email research@swft.nhs.uk.

SWFT is one of the Partnership Trusts for the Comprehensive Research Network – West Midlands - https://local.nihr.ac.uk/lcrn/west-midlands

• To see if your idea is research, click here.
• For research planning, click here.
• For the approval process, click here.
• For roles and responsibilities, click here.

Please contact research@swft.nhs.uk for advice and guidance regarding Trust approval for Service Evaluations, Clinical and Educational Research.

SWFT Staff** When undertaking research, staff must adhere to the Trust's procedure in line with the Research Governance Framework.

GEH SWFT Knowledge and Library Service team are proud to help support colleagues undertaking research at both our NHS Trusts. Whether you are an experienced researcher or just starting the research project for your Apprenticeship, foundation degree or Masters, we are on site and online to help. The Research webpage on the library website is a good starting point but please don’t hesitate to contact any of our team. Here’s just some of the ways we can help:

• Information Skills training

We provide regular group sessions on how to plan and do an effective literature search. Visit our training webpages to view details of our next sessions. Our Clinical Librarians can also provide 1:1 advice on refining search strategies, database selection and signpost you to further reading to support your research. Contact us here

• Critical appraisal training

Why not book on one of our regular Critical Appraisal training sessions to develop or practise your skills in evaluating research? Click here for more information and future dates.

• Access to major research databases

Visit the NHS Knowledge and Library Service Hub where you can find links to clinical and health management databases and other useful resources such as the National Grey Literature Collection and Cochrane Library

• Current awareness

We can help you keep up to date in your area of research. Sign up here to receive personalised email bulletins from KnowledgeShare.

• Books for researchers

The Library collection includes books on all aspects of research from doing a literature or systematic review to critical appraisal and research methods. Search our regional library catalogue HeLM here.

• Article request service

Having trouble finding the full text of an article? Click here for handy search tips or complete our online request form

The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) supports patients, the public and health and care organisations across England to participate in high-quality research, thereby advancing knowledge and improving care.

The CRN West Midlands (CRN WM) is the largest of 15 local Networks across England providing the infrastructure that allows high-quality research to take place in our area, so that people can benefit from new and better care and treatments.

The CRN WM help to increase opportunities for people to take part in research, ensure that studies are carried out efficiently and provide researchers with the practical support they need to carry out their research.

An up to date list of Portfolio trials recruiting across the country can be found via the link below. If you are interested in becoming a PI please contact the individual trial centres for further information.


Find Out More:

NIHR Website (https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/clinical-research-network.htm)
CRN West Midlands: (https://local.nihr.ac.uk/lcrn/west-midlands/)
Clinical Research Network Portfolio (https://www.nihr.ac.uk/researchers/collaborations-services-and-support-for-your-research/run-your-study/crn-portfolio.htm

• Find out more about the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
• More information about what clinical trials are, why you should join, and what’s typically involved here.
• Be Part of Research allows users to search for opportunities to participate in research.
• An online resource where researchers and research organisations advertise opportunities for members of the public to get involved in research.