Intensive Care, Anaesthetic and Perioperative Research Team

Research plays a key role in improving clinical care. By undertaking various research projects looking into different aspects of perioperative medicine and critical illness, we hope to improve the outcomes for patients undergoing surgery and staying on ICU in the future.

Philosophy of Research Team

• We work as a multidisciplinary team and aim to improve the health of patients through conducting high quality research.
• We aim to give patients sufficient information about research in a clear manner to enable them to make informed choices about their care.
• We respect patients’ rights to confidentiality, privacy and dignity within their right to be looked after in a safe and caring environment.
• We strive to work within the Trust Values at all times

How Patients are involved in Research

Usually, patients who are due to attend pre-assessment and cardiopulmonary exercise clinic are screened for their eligibility against a set criteria. Once identified as eligible patients may be approached with information leaflets either via post or in person. The information leaflets provide details of the study and what is involved for participants, in order for patients to make an informed choice about whether to take part. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, our pre-assessment clinics are still running in a more distanced manner so patients may be approached to consider participating in a trial on the morning of surgery. This will only happen where there is no alternative and is in accordance with guidance from our Research and Development department.

As part of the patient pathway when attending pre-assessment clinic patients may be allocated a programmed time slot with a research nurse to discuss the research studies available. If patients have previously been contacted via post or telephone this appointment may be used to take consent and begin completion of study documents, and as previously mentioned this may currently take place on the day of surgery.

What’s involved for you as Staff?

Dependent upon the clinical area that you work in, you may be required to care for patients taking part in research studies, and receiving new or different interventions. The Research Nurses will be on hand to support and train staff where needed in order for facilitate the safe delivery of research interventions.

Patients that are taking part in interventional studies in this hospital are tracked via alerts on our hospital patient database for safety reporting.

(If a patient is admitted to your ward area with an alert regarding a research study, please contact the relevant research team via the contact details identified on the patient database.)