Anna Reynolds, Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Research Champion

Anna Reynolds told us why getting involved in research has been one of the most enriching things she’s done in her career.

Anna, who is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP*), decided to become an Associate Principal Investigator for a research study in the Renal Department.

“I’ve worked at WUTH since 2015, originally as a trainee ACP, and I’ve been working in the Renal Department for the last five years.
For a long time, new treatments for renal patients were sparce, but more recently due to drug trials and research, there are lots of new medications available for our patients.

One of the four pillars of the ACP role is research, and this sparked my interest in research as I’m always looking for ways to make things better for our patients.

So when the opportunity came along to become an Associate PI on a clinical research trial in Renal, I was pleased to be able to fulfil this aspect of my role whilst gaining new skills.

I’ve learnt a lot from doing it. Over a six-month period I had to create a research portfolio to evidence fulfilling certain criteria for the research project. I’ve now finished my portfolio in addition to the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) qualification for research. GCP wasn’t too daunting, being a two-hour online course with a test at the end. I’m still Associate PI on the study and really enjoying it.

From the start I’ve been working under the guidance of Dr Tom Ledson, Renal Consultant and PI on the study, with support from Karl Hunter, Research Nurse. They have been amazing and I couldn’t have done it without their support. I really want to say thank you to them for helping me achieve my goals.

Although completing the portfolio has been an extra thing on my workload, I’m so glad I did it. I feel really fired up about the difference research is making to our patients. I’m ambitious for WUTH to be at the forefront of medical developments and the service we provide to patients.

Being from a nursing background, I also feel really proud to have done it, because most often Associate PIs are medics. It has taken my career in a different direction, and I even completed a part-time Cardio-Renal-Metabolic secondment at another trust, working on a research project to minimise and prevent the cardio and renal complications of patients with diabetes.

The whole thing has been such a rich experience and I would really encourage colleagues to consider getting involved in research. You just don’t know where it might take you.”

*ACP was previously called ANP (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) but the job title has changed nationally as the role is now open to other Allied Health Care Professionals.