CPFT ranked top for research to improve care
CPFT ranked top for research to improve care
Research teams at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) are leading the way for research to improve care for patients across the region, and nationwide.
CPFT is the top performing NHS Trust for mental health research in the east of England and one of the top five trusts for mental health research across England, in the Research Activity League Table published today by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
This annual report highlights the numbers of studies and people taking part across NHS trusts and CCGs in England. CPFT staff have made the biggest contribution to research by increasing their number of studies by 10% and enrolling 1461 people in dementia, mental health and community research in the east of England over 2017/18. Compared to 836 participants last year, this means the Trust has helped 75% more people to take part in research.
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Professor Edward Bullmore, Director of Research and Development at CPFT said: “Research is essential to improving care and treatment for patients, and I am delighted that we have been able to support more people to take part and deliver more projects. Our clinical audits and research studies into mental and physical health were highlighted as an area of outstanding practice in the recent CQC inspection, and the team takes great pride in delivering high quality research with care. Thank you to everyone involved in our research efforts for helping us to improve care, now and in the future.” |
The team at CPFT’s specialist Windsor Research Unit has worked with thousands of patients to improve care and treatment through research. They have a successful track record in conducting research to time and target for world-leading academic institutions and organisations, and have grown their skills base to offer clinical expertise across a diverse range of mental and physical health conditions.
Dr Ben Underwood is CPFT’s Clinical Director for the Windsor Research Unit, and Clinical Co-Lead at CRN Eastern for dementia. He said: “This achievement is testament to the efforts of CPFT clinicians and research teams, and the support of all our volunteers and carers. Our staff continue to outperform and exceed targets for studies and participants, and there is further exciting work ongoing, and on the horizon, which will help to identity and treat more people who are in the early stages of disease, crucial for better health outcomes over the next 70 years of the NHS. Research is a rewarding experience and I encourage anyone using CPFT services to take part- give the gift of research for NHS70 and get in touch to find out more about suitable studies.” |
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Marian Murdoch cares for her husband Angus who is living with Lewy body dementia. She recently took part in the national DIAMOND-Lewy programme and said: “It’s been a really interesting experience with fantastic support from all the clinical staff involved. I welcome the opportunity to co-design studies and to contribute my insight from caring for this condition, which can be really challenging. It means a lot to be able to help improve care and treatment for other patients in future, and I would encourage other patients and carers to volunteer for research, which can be really rewarding.” |
The Trust runs over 100 studies each year, looking into dementias, mood disorders, autism and learning disabilities, as well as a wide range of physical illnesses like diabetes and respiratory conditions. If you would like to participate in research at CPFT and find out more, contact the Windsor Research Unit on 01223 219534 or email wru@cpft.nhs.uk.
Studies conducted by clinicians and researchers at CPFT working closely with people living with dementia have also recently driven a major update in guidance to improve diagnosis, management and care for dementia. The new guidelines released by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend that all people with dementia should be provided with information on research studies they could participate in.
Find out more and register today: www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk