A Worcestershire-based team has won a 'team of the year' award for clinical research into Covid-19.

The team from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust received the award at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network West Midland’s Awards.

The NIHR awards celebrate the range of clinical research from studies to improve future treatments for mental health conditions, to Covid-19 vaccines and examining and understanding the increased risk of contracting the virus among healthcare workers.

The award recognises the team’s contribution in the Worcestershire Covid-Trial Response Team working together with colleagues at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, CRN West Midlands Primary Care and Across Teams, University of Birmingham Students, which came together to support the delivery of the national priority Covid-19 trials.

The trials included the 'RECOVERY Trial' which helped increase the knowledge of which existing treatments may be beneficial for people hospitalised with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.

Jayne Tyler, Lead Research Nurse said: “I'm so proud of our research team and partner organisations who joined forces with us to support these important trials into Covid-19. I would also like to thank the patients and their families for participating in the studies.

“Our commitment to research projects like this highlights our dedication to putting patients first, and it's a real credit to our team and the trust that we have been recognised in this way".

The research team are involved in 66 research projects that help to improve patient care and outcomes.

On accepting the award Emma Rowan, research operations lead at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust added: “Through clinical research we can assess the efficacy of new medication, diagnostics, and treatment regimes.

“This award demonstrates our commitment to supporting research that is relevant and accessible to our patients, which helps to build evidence for new approaches to improve patient care across our hospitals.”

Anyone who would like to get involved in research, can visit https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/our-trust/research-and-development or get in touch by emailing the team on Wah-tr.researchconsortium@nhs.net