​Why is research essential to what we do?

New treatments, technologies, care approaches and devices all need to be carefully and safely tested in real life healthcare environments. Clinical research in these environments is separately funded, adds value to patient care, and has economic value. 

The Care Quality Commission now recognises research as a key activity in a ‘Well Led’ Trust and indicators for research are embedded in its Well Led Inspection Framework (Trusts).  It recognises that research involves all departments, teams, staff and management functions across an organisation.  

Patient access to Clinical Research is recognised in the NHS Constitution and features in the CQC's  annual Inpatient Experience Survey.  It also has a high profile in the NHS Long Term Plan. 

There is growing evidence that a good level of research activity in a Trust has an impact on overall patient care outcomes. We also know that research is important to patients and nowadays nearly every trust has at least one patient research champion/ambassador working with trust staff. 

​90% of patients have a good or better experience of taking part in clinical research!

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why research is important to our staff at rotherham hospital:

"Participation in research trials in our field benefits individual patients as they have access to novel tests and treatments, whilst advancing the care of the condition itself. We gain additional knowledge and skills and the whole team has added job satisfaction knowing we are offering the best care availble"
​- dr james taylor, consultant

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"Research is extremely important for people affected by cancer as we know being involved in research gives our patient better outcomes. as the trust lead nurse for cancer it is my vision that cancer research will be at the heart of the care the we deliver ensuring out patients have access to the best possible care"
- michelle fletcher, macmillan lead cancer nurse

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"access to research and clinical trials has allowed our patients to receive newer drugs and the latest diagnostics. This has a positive impact on the care they receive and they do not have to travel far away to receive these treatments. patients also feel they are contributing to the advancement of clinical medicine"
- dr arun alfred, consultant

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"research underpins physiotherapy practice. we try to keep up to date with current literature so that we can provide the most relevant and effective management of our patients. we are happy to support research opportunities whenever we can and promote the great work we do at rotherham nhs foundation trust"
​- ben cooper, senior physiotherapist

cHECK OUT PATIENT STORIES about WHY RESEARCH IS IMPORTant to them:

Jon: His positive experience of taking part in the OUTREACH study

Monica: I would encourage everyone to take part in research

Ore-Ofe: A mother who wants sickle cell research to change lives

Read about more inspiring research stories on the NIHR webpage