Many of our research staff have temporarily changed their work to help with the Covid-19 pandemic. We spoke to Carole Edwards, Lead Research Nurse, who gave us an update on the work of her team.
“A big thank you goes out to the Clinical Research Nurse team in NHS Grampian who have had to adapt their work practice during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The majority of clinical research studies and drug trials have been suspended in Grampian to allow staff to be redeployed to clinical areas within the hospitals. This also means we reduce the risk to participants by asking them not to come into hospital.
A large proportion of Clinical Research Nurses and Clinical Research Support Workers have been redeployed to wards & clinics in Woodend and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. This team has risen to the challenge, working in areas that are not their speciality, adapting to work in a ward setting and caring for patients who have Covid-19.
Some research is still going on in Grampian. This is mainly oncology, haematology and paediatric clinical studies. The teams undertaking this research are also having to adapt to new ways of working, promoting video/telephone patient visits and ensuring patient safety at all times.
NHS Grampian is carrying out research into Covid-19, which also means a group of the Clinical Research Nurses & Clinical Support Workers working differently to support this. They are covering these studies 7 days a week, working in different clinical areas and adapting to an ever-changing clinical trial portfolio.
As the manager of this AMAZING team of Research Nurses & Clinical Research Support Workers, I have been truly humbled by their willingness to “do what they can” to help NHS Grampian during this unprecedented time.”
Thank you to our team of research nurses and clinical research support workers. We are so proud of the work you are doing across NHS Grampian at this hard time.
Thank you!
#ProudToBeNHSG