Yorkshire Post spotlights region’s role in groundbreaking clinical research
6 February 2026
Innovative research led by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been spotlighted in a special report published by the Yorkshire Post.
Published in the Post’s Postscript daily pullout, the feature highlighted the difference healthcare studies and trials make to the lives of people across the region as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) marks its 20th anniversary.
As well as highlighting the vital role the NIHR network and Yorkshire research infrastructure plays in improving health across the region, Assistant Features Editor Laura Reid looks at cutting-edge research taking place across the region.
The groundbreaking Oceanic (pictured) and UPSIDE trials are among the case studies featured.
Diabetes prevention
Oceanic trial patient, Andrew Goodison, 47, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes six years ago. He said being involved in the groundbreaking diabetes trial could help other people as well as himself.
“If it helps someone else, or helps our understanding of diabetes it’s a good thing,” he told the Post.
The trial is investigating if using innovative technologies and wearable sensors that track body health in real time, alongside intensive strategies to reinforce lifestyle chances, can reverse the lifelong risk of painful and uncontrolled nerve damage in patients with type 2 diabetes through early detection of diabetes-related risk factors.
Pioneering stem cell transplants
Also highlighted is the groundbreaking UPSIDE trial. This trial is the first to test if a type of stem cell transplantation should be offered as a first-line treatment for patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis – a severe and incurable form of scleroderma, where the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body. Sheffield is the sole site in the UK to be involved in the trial.
Insights into the vital contribution of the NIHR network and Yorkshire research infrastructure to improving health across the region are provided, with profiles of the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) Devices for Dignity, and NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF).
Dr Nick Lyons, Chief Medical Officer (Development), further highlights the key role that health and care research plays in retaining and upskilling the workforce, as well as attracting new talent.
“I think people get an immense satisfaction out of research and making a real difference,” he told the Post.
- Yorkshire Post - 'State-of-the-art care': How patients are benefitting from health research in Yorkshire (subscription required)
