New specialist centre puts Wirral on the map for clinical research

The launch of a new specialist research and innovation centre at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH)’s Clatterbridge site has put the Trust firmly on the map as a growing centre of excellence for clinical research.

The Wirral Research and Innovation Centre will advance medical research at WUTH for the benefit of current and future patients, by embedding research into the care it provides.

WUTH’s Executive Medical Director, Dr Nikki Stevenson, said: “Clinical research is what drives improvements in healthcare. It’s one of our priorities as a hospital to try to find answers to healthcare challenges. It is our pledge to the Wirral population to play our part in finding new treatments and helping to address health inequalities. The Wirral Research and Innovation Centre is a major stride forward in our commitment to research.”

This new development has been made possible with funding from the North-West Coast Clinical Research Network (NWC CRN), which is the delivery arm of The National Institute for Health and Care Research.

NWC CRN’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr Chris Smith, said: “The Wirral Research and Innovation Centre will improve access to research that is relevant to people's healthcare conditions, and also act as a catalyst for further collaboration across Wirral and the wider Cheshire and Merseyside system. WUTH has a proud history of participating in nationally important research, and the launch of the centre today is a further step in delivering its strategy to improve healthcare through cutting edge research and innovation.”

The new centre has been designed to make the experience of research participants smooth, pleasant and safe, and the patient’s journey through the centre has been thought through carefully to ensure they are looked after in the most efficient and effective way.

The purpose-built facilities will be an attractive offering for life sciences companies looking to place research studies. It also provides a further opportunity to undertake research in combination with GPs and Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, thus expanding the volume and breadth of study types carried out by WUTH.

Patients who attend the new centre will be those taking part in outpatient studies. Free parking will be provided, and participants will enter through a dedicated main entrance, and exit from another part of the building. The research and administrative staff area is located in a separate part of the centre to avoid any disruption to patients.

Simon Rogers, Clinical Lead for Research at the Trust, said: “Research provides the evidence that health professionals need to make the right decisions. It improves the quality of care we can provide. I’d like to say thank you to all the staff in the Trust who give their time to support the research studies we carry out. We’re also grateful to all the patients who take part in our research studies and influence the progress of new medical treatments. Without them none of it would be possible.”