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Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has smashed its regional target to recruit patients to clinical trials.

New figures published by the National Institute for Health Research showed that 11,641 patients took part in groundbreaking clinical research at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019 - surpassing the target figure of 9,166 by 27%.

Over the same period the Trust set up and ran 412 clinical research studies across its five adult hospitals and within its community services, the 11th highest number of research studies offered to patients by any NHS Trust in the country.

The national league table is compiled every year by the National Institute for Health Research’s Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Research Network.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals is one of the biggest NHS Trusts in the country, and has a long history of pioneering medical advances and breakthroughs which have now become established NHS treatments.

Professor Simon Heller, Director of Research and Development for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have exceeded these tough targets as without medical research, advances in medicine would not be possible. Evidence also shows that research plays a key role in improving care and treatment for all patients, not just those taking part in studies, so this is good news across the board.

“As well our patients, I would like to thank our clinicians, all the staff within our Clinical Research and Innovation Office and the city’s universities, charities and industry partners who help us develop and attract high quality research to the benefit of patients both now and in the future.”

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals runs a wide portfolio of high impact research studies that aim to transform the lives of cancer patients, those with diabetes and neurological illnesses such as dementia, stroke and multiple sclerosis among others as well as less talked about conditions such as Crohn’s disease.

Recently the Trust’s MS stem cell team were recently named national winners in the NHS Parliamentary ‘Future NHS’ Award after pioneering the use of a breakthrough treatment in the UK which is the first to significantly reverse disability in certain patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Trust is also at the helm of a new £2.5m STAMINA study which aims to improve the lives of those living with prostate cancer by analysing if a longer term exercise programme can counter problems caused by androgen deprivation therapy and is one of 20 UK sites involved in a landmark trial assessing whether a drug commonly used to prevent nausea and sickness after surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy could help treat patients suffering with the agonising symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Andrew Drummond, 31, of Sheffield, who has lived with type 1 diabetes since he was 12, says taking part in research is a great way to understand more about his condition.

“I’m keen to take part in medical research studies as I see them as opportunity to positively impact my health and give feedback which can be used to help others in the future experiencing similar issues to my myself.”

If you are interested in taking part in clinical research at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals contact getinvolved@sth.nhs.uk.

ENDS