Spotlight: Research Matron Cherylin Reinholtz
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) CRN South London’s new Research Matron, Cherylin Reinholtz, talks on International Nurses Day about her excitement at joining the Network at a time when the need for and importance of research couldn’t be greater.
The aim of this monthly spotlight blog series is to celebrate, highlight, educate and inform the public about the diverse range of people who support vital research studies from within our region. We are proud of everyone who plays their part in contributing to improving the health of the population.
What do you do?
I am CRN South London’s new Research Matron. I have been a nurse for 19 years, and my research career began in 2005 at King’s College London as a Senior Asthma and Allergy Research Nurse and my knowledge developed further through my work in twin research and genetics. Research is a very rewarding area to work in as it helps to improve treatments, outcomes and overall care for our patients. For the Network, my responsibilities include the management and deployment of our agile workforce, who will play a crucial role in helping to deliver the local NIHR research portfolio across a multitude of NHS and other health and social care providers in south London. I’m very excited to be part of this Network and am looking forward to working with my team in supporting vital health research.
How would you describe yourself?
As a manager, I’m supportive in developing my staff in their areas of expertise by offering them further opportunities to deliver within research. This helps to broaden people’s horizons and experiences, which leads to better patient care in the long run.
I also enjoy time with my friends and family. We cook many types of food and my children love baking day! It has been a tough year so I try to make the most of things; recently, we were able to celebrate my father’s 76th birthday as a family.
Why did you join CRN South London?
To work for the largest funder of health research in England. This is an amazing opportunity and as the Network’s Research Matron I will play a key role in supporting the work of the NIHR in south London by:
- Enhancing training and learning opportunities for the flexible workforce
- Creating a professional development programme for our clinical research staff
- Representing CRN South London at a national level
- Championing continuous service improvement
What are you interested in?
Giving everyone an opportunity to take part in research as the results really can transform lives, and it is so important that as many people as possible are given an opportunity to participate in studies, which is why I’m particularly keen to put the work of the NIHR front and centre in as many clinics as possible.
Why are you involved in research?
To help find more effective treatments and efficient ways of caring for patients. I also want to ensure that we are providing the highest standards of care to patients and their families.
Why is research important?
Research changes lives. It is through research that we can develop better treatments, as well as improve diagnosis, prevention, care and quality of life for everyone. Anyone can support the work of researchers, and you don’t necessarily have to take part in a clinical trial as a participant. You can help research teams in other ways by answering questionnaires, feeding back on documents and through participating in meetings. I’d encourage people to find out about research that is taking place in their area by going directly to the NIHR’s Be Part of Research website.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
