Research continues at the heart of patient care across Hywel Dda
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Research and Development staff across Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are celebrating International Clinical Trials Day (20 May 2020). Each of the four acute hospitals in Hywel Dda UHB – Bronglais, Glangwili, Withybush and Prince Philip hospitals – has a research and development team working year-round on studies to allow for improvements in patient care and treatment. Treatments might be new drugs or new combinations of drugs, new surgical procedures or devices, or new ways to use existing treatments. Dr Philip Kloer, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive of Hywel Dda UHB has paid tribute to those working in research and development across west Wales. Dr Kloer, said: “The best organisations and those providing the best quality of care are research active and the importance of research to combat a new disease such as COVID-19 cannot be overstated. “In Hywel Dda we are involved in ten clinical trials aimed at combating-19. Some of those are aimed at testing promising new medications; others are involved in looking at new breathing devices and understanding how the COVID disease affects people. “I want to thank all of those in our amazing research and development department but also all patients and staff who are involved in clinical trials. Your support and input is really helping us to combat COVID-19.” Linda O’Brien, is a Research Nurse currently working in a COVID area of Prince Philip Hospital. Linda said: “The COVID pandemic has really highlighted the importance of research and I’m currently working on two clinical studies. “The first study is called RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy) and is a national clinical trial, led by the University of Oxford, that aims to identify treatments that may be beneficial for adults hospitalised with confirmed COVID-19. “The second study I am involved with is called CCP-UK, a study of the COVID-19 disease to better understand its spread and behaviour by analysing biological samples and data from patients with confirmed cases of the disease across the UK. “Last year on International Clinical Trials Day we were able to invite staff and patients into the department to find out more about the work we do and how to get involved with a clinical study. “Obviously, we are not able to do that this year, however it has given us more opportunity to go on to the wards a lot more and have more conversations with staff and patients about the work that we do and how they can get involved which is fantastic.” To find out more about research and development in Hywel Dda University Health Board please visit http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/74864 Photo 1: Research and development team
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