All three of the Northern Care Alliance’s Clinical Research Facilities have been shortlisted for one of research’s most prestigious international prizes.
The units at Fairfield General, the Royal Oldham and Salford Royal are finalists in the Clinical Site of the Year category of the Pharma Times International Clinical Researcher of the Year competition.
It is an extraordinary achievement as only five research sites have reached the shortlist following a challenging entry process and rigorous judging.
There were more than 300 entries for the competition overall, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
The Northern Care Alliance’s Director of Research & Innovation Operations, Professor Steve Woby, said: “We are proud and delighted that our Joint Research Office and teams at our Clinical Research Facilities have been recognised in these international awards.
“We have a national and international reputation for the high quality of our research across the Alliance and that is testament to the expert staff leading studies here and also to those who support and facilitate research.
“This year has seen a record-breaking number of patients taking part in research across our care organisations, helping the NHS to improve diagnosis, care and treatment in a huge range of health conditions
“Colleagues had to pass a two- stage examination process to reach this stage of the Pharma Times Awards and it is fantastic that their expertise not only benefits patients and service users but has also been reflected in this accolade.”
Research managers and nursing staff will take part in a finals day on 21 March, where they will compete head-to-head in a challenge that will assess their planning and strategic abilities, alongside their communications and presenting skills. The winners of each category will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in May.
The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust previously won the NHS Clinical Research Site in the Pharma Times awards in 2016. The other two finalists this year are University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire and University College London Hospitals.