Research Hero of the Month - September

Research heroes are individuals who are part of a hidden army of staff supporting research across the organisation. We want to take the opportunity to celebrate their contribution and thank them for making a difference.

This month we are celebrating nurses across the Trust in different roles and different capacities within research. Here are three examples of the support we have received which show how you can get involved in research.

Hannah Shephard was a student nurse placed with LYPFT, Hannah helped shape a programme of activities that students can participate in as part of the Student Research Experience.

Hannah also helped spread knowledge and recruit participants for National Portfolio Research Projects Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) and the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) during her time at LYPFT.

 

Imogen Kinkaid, Staff Nurse in Newsam Ward four, Imogen recently took up a position as principal Investigator on the Section 17 study. As part of this role, Imogen implemented the intervention on the ward, thinking about how it would work ‘in real life’ and putting the changes into practice. This involved tailoring the intervention materials and providing feedback from the ward team, service users and carers, ultimately recruiting both participants to the study and staff to work as interventionists. About taking up the role, Imogen said:

“Prior to starting the role, I had no experience working closely with the R&D team. It felt scary, but everyone was so supportive and guided me through PI training, so I was prepared for the role.”

Tendai Dhliwayo, a Memory Nurse in Memory Services at St Mary’s Hospital, along with other great nurses in this team, has been a great supporter of research. Tendai makes regular referrals to Dementia research, including Problem Adaptation Therapy For Individuals with Mild to Moderate Dementia and Depression (PATHFINDER), Journey through Dementia (JtD), Minocycline in Alzheimer’s disease efficacy trial (MADE) and The RADAR trial in Alzheimer’s disease (RADAR).

These are just some of the many people who work in the trust that help to support research by spreading awareness of opportunities in the Trust and helping to recruit to research studies.

Any staff interested to know more about research and how they can promote it within their service can contact the research department at research.lypft@nhs.net.

Visit the R&D website for more information about LYPFT research studies.