Research and Development at Barts Health – the teams behind the scenes
May 20th marks International Clinical Trials Day, which celebrates and acknowledges the invaluable contribution clinical trials make to improving global health.
And it’s fair to say that never has more hope been placed on clinical trials and the global clinical research community than over the past 15 months. During this time, the Barts Health’s research community rose to the challenge Covid-19 presented, and played a vital role in driving forward our understanding of the virus and the development of treatments and vaccines against it.
Over the past 15 months, they have opened over 75 Covid-related clinical studies, including 13 studies badged ‘urgent public health studies’ by the Department of Health and Social Care. They have also enrolled over 12,000 participants from across our workforce and local communities into these studies, and set-up a bespoke vaccines trials centre in the heart of east London at the Bethnal Green Library, which was the highest recruiting site in the UK for the Janssen ENSEMBLE-2 vaccine trial.
Barts Health researchers were also involved in the RECOVERY trial, which established dexamethasone as a treatment for Covid-19 patients on oxygen or ventilators early on in the pandemic. Over 700 patients were recruited to the Barts Health site, making us the third highest recruiting site in the UK.
The collaboration that allowed this work to happen was incredible. Over 90 research doctors, nurses, data managers and administrators were redeployed to support frontline Covid-19 research and clinical services. It was truly a team effort.
One of the teams who were instrumental in making sure this research could happen is the Joint Management Research Office (JMRO) team. The JRMO provides a range of services to support our doctors and nurses, Queen Mary University of London researchers and those who work with them across our sites, to enable them to undertake and deliver world-class research. Around 70 staff guide and support these researchers through every stage of setting-up a clinical trial or research study and delivery of it. From costing grant applications and negotiating contracts, to research governance and post-award finance services, it would be nigh-on impossible to run a clinical trial without the support of the JMRO team.
Researchers at Barts Health are also supported by the clinical research leadership team, comprised of Professor Rupert Pearse, Dr Kieran McCafferty and Professor Stephen Kelly. And by the Research Engagement team, who work with researchers, patients and the local community to embed best practice in patient and public involvement and engagement in research.
The Research Business Development unit also play a vital role in helping Barts Health deliver clinical trials. They generate new commercial research opportunities for the Trust and oversee the Barts Health Clinical Research Facilities at the Royal London and Whipps Cross hospital.
Research is a core part of Barts Health’s treatment service offer. Our research impacts on people’s lives and gives our patients access to new treatments long before they are adopted into general use, enhancing the care we can offer to the people of east London and beyond. This is what defines Barts Health as being one of the foremost teaching and research trusts in the UK and maintains our international reputation for healthcare excellence.
The Trust has now restarted almost 80% of the 400 studies which were paused at the beginning of the pandemic. Achieving this has been a team effort – from the medical professions involved in delivering the trials to the many people who work behind the scene to make sure they run safely and efficiently. This International Clinical Trials Day, we acknowledge the tireless work they all do to drive forward innovations in medicine.
Read more:
- 10,000+ participants recruited to Covid-19 studies at Barts Health NHS Trust
- Barts Health and Queen Mary launch Covid-19 research programme
- Barts Health researchers assess the impact of Covid-19 in blood cancer patients
- Researchers from Barts Health helping to better understand Covid-19 immunity
- London coronavirus cases hit new high as hundreds offered Covid vaccine in third NHS trial
- Study aims to uncover reasons why black and ethnic minority east Londoners have been hardest hit by covid
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