Congratulations to research staff represented in 2018 UHB and GHFT Trust Awards

It was fantastic to see research strongly represented at recent workforce awards ceremonies at Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

At Gloucestershire, winners included:

• Sarah Brown, Communications Specialist, for her 'dedication to improving the internal and external profile of the research function.'

This has led to more staff getting involved in research projects as well as additional access for patients to research trials that offer them increased treatment opportunities.

• Elaine Willmore, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, for her 'successful bid for a grant application for the GRASP (Getting it right: addressing shoulder pain) trial aligned to the University of Oxford, for which she has been the trial’s principal investigator.'

Neither Physiotherapy nor Trauma and Orthopedics have had a history of involvement in research within the Trust, so Elaine has forged her own path. She has been the trial’s principal investigator and the Trust has consistently been one of the top two recruiting sites.

• Dr John Boyes, Consultant in Medical Microbiology, for 'leading the implementation of a new Point of Care Test (POCT) for influenza in Unscheduled Care during winter 2017/18.'

The hope was that by reducing the time to diagnose flu, this would lead to improved bed allocation for patients requiring admission and a reduction in hospital-acquired influenza. Almost 200 cases of hospital-acquired flu were avoided and approximately 12 deaths were prevented.

At Bristol, winners included:

• 'Patients' Star Award' winner Stephen Lang, research nurse at the BHOC clinical trials unit, who went above and beyond to provide support a clinical trials participant who developed melanoma, which worsened. Immunotherapy has contributed to clear scans for the patient since the summer and the family of the patient have described him as 'credit to the NHS'.

• 'Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Research Award' winner Margaret Saunders, consultant clinical scientist, who has an excellent track record in scientific research, assessing the transfer of substances between a mother and an unborn child through the placenta. Margaret has led the formation of a new research and innovation group in the Diagnostics and Therapies division, which includes representation from across the division and encourages research activity among all healthcare professionals.

Highly Commended colleagues include Angus Nightingale, consultant cardiologist, Victoria Taylor, research sister and Natalie Fineman, children's research lead nurse.

Congratulations to everyone, both nominees and winners.