Plymouth health researchers commended

Leading health researchers – including two from Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust - have had their significant contribution to commercial research in the NHS recognised by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

More than 70 leading NIHR Commercial Principal Investigators received awards at a prestigious event hosted at the British Medical Association in London. The event recognised and celebrated the expertise of Principal Investigators (PIs) who are responsible for NIHR supported research sites, ensuring that patients are appropriately recruited into commercial research studies.

The NIHR is the research arm of the NHS and is funded through the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.

Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health Professor Chris Whitty said: “Principal Investigators continue to play a crucial role in the NIHR Clinical Research Network’s substantial progress in the growth and delivery of commercial contract research in the NHS. As we mark 10 years of the NIHR, we are delighted to celebrate the achievements of Principal Investigators which should inspire a new generation of research leaders.”

There were five award categories. The award recipients from Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust were:

Consistently delivers to time and target category:

Professor Simon Rule, Associate Medical Director for Research.

First Global Patient category:

Professor Robert Freeman, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a Clinical Research Lead for the NIHR Clinical Research Network: South West Peninsula.

Lisa Vickers, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust Research and Development Manager, said: “Congratulations to both, their awards help to highlight the excellent work we are carrying out with partners that will benefit medicine and, more importantly, our patients.”