posted 23 ^rd Oct 2019

The Research and Development team at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust have been announced as finalists in five different categories at the forthcoming Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards.

Now in its seventh year, the annual awards are designed to recognise our region’s hard-working and high-achieving researchers, research teams, Research and Development departments and other research support functions.

WWL’s clinical specialist physiotherapist research lead, Dr Jane Martindale and research nurses Claire Hill and Samantha Reddington are up for awards in their field.

The Patient and Public Involvement Team are also shortlisted for the Best Public Engagement Contribution Award and the Trust has also been nominated  for the Outstanding Contribution Award for the second year running, alongside the Greater Manchester Research Education Team (The Christie, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and WWL) – recognised for its collaboration work.

Richard Mundon, Director of Strategy and Planning, at WWL, said: “We pride ourselves on being a research active Trust and are thrilled to have so many of our staff nominated for the Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards.

“It’s testament to the Research and Development (R&D) Department who has enjoyed a long history of delivering high quality research outcomes, which have led to improved developments in health care and the health and well-being of not only the local community but also the national and international community.”

Jane, who has worked for WWL for over 35 years and became the first Allied Health Professional to join the BritSpA’s executive committee in 2017, has been shortlisted for the Research Practitioner of the Year for her work to improve knowledge and treatment of rare inflammatory arthritis spine condition, Spondyloarthritis, which can often take up to eight years to diagnose.

Samantha, a cardiology research nurse, is shortlisted for the Best Debut Award, due to her work on a study looking at how to improve accuracy of heart scans for diagnosing heart disease. Claire, who works in respiratory and stroke for the Generic Research Team, has been announced as finalist for the Research Nurse of the Year.

Richard added: “Over the last 10 years, the Trust’s Research and Development Department has worked hard to promote research opportunities to our patients and raise awareness amongst staff. Thanks to the team’s efforts, the Trust has seen an astounding increase to research studies.

“Research allows our patients to get involved in shaping their own healthcare, and we actively take opportunities to promote where our patients can get involved.”

A recent National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) report highlighted that WWL in 2018/19 recruited 2,420 patients for research.

The award winners will be revealed at the Radisson Blu hotel on Peter Street, Manchester, on the evening of Thursday 7 November 2019.

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