International Clinical Trials Day

World-leading researchers and scientists from the Trust and the University of Sheffield gave people in Sheffield and beyond a unique insight into how they can contribute to groundbreaking medical discoveries during International Clinical Trials Day.

Visitors explored how clinical trials, which are responsible for the most significant medical advances for the past 260 years, are conducted, and gained an insight into keyhole surgery and learned about extraordinary health innovations when the University, hospitals, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Facility at the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General Hospital, open their doors to the public.

They also met staff from Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust’s NIHR Clinical Research Facility to find out how pioneering research helps babies and young children too.

International Clinical Trials Day is celebrated around the world to mark the day James Lind began his famous trial into the deadly disease scurvy in 1747. The trial led to the discovery that citrus fruits high in vitamin C could prevent the disease – paving the way for the development of specific vaccines to prevent diseases such as smallpox in the late 18th century.

Dr Julian Gunn, a consultant cardiologist from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust and Reader in Interventional Cardiology at the University of Sheffield gave a special talk between 6pm-7pm at the Medical School about his revolutionary clinical trial which could play a vital role in tackling coronary heart disease which is the UK’s biggest killer.

There was also an opportunity for visitors to speak directly with patients who have taken part in clinical research, visit a number of interactive stands and have guided tours of the National Institute for Health Research’s (NIHR) Clinical Research Facilities, based at the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General Hospital, which are recognised by the Department of Health as units of excellence.

The healthcare research showcase was held between 7pm and 8pm at the University of Sheffield’s Medical School on Beech Hill Road.

Staff from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also ran a series of awareness-events throughout International Clinical Trials Day, including in the outpatients area of Weston Park Hospital, the main entrance of the Jessop Wing Maternity Unit and within the diabetes, pharmacy, cardiology and A&E departments. 

To find out more about clinical research at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust email getinvolved@sth.nhs.uk or contact 0114 226 5935.
 

 

 

 

 
Get Involved
 

Additional Information

 
Rate this page: