Children's research in the spotlight
The children's research showcase hosted by CRN North Thames shone a spotlight on developments in paediatric research and featured a variety of specialist speakers.
More than 50 delegates attended the day-long event, and attendees were welcomed to the meeting by Dr Paul Fleming, CRN North Thames Deputy Clinical Director and a Consultant Neonatologist at Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
After a portfolio update from Christopher Spence, Senior Portfolio Officer at CRN North Thames, Deanna Gibbs, Director of Clinical Research for Neonates and Children (Nursing and Allied Health Professionals) at Barts Health NHS Trust, spoke on growing research capacity in research nurses and allied health professionals.
Embedding a research hospital culture for paediatric research was the focus of a talk given by research staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, among them Lorraine Hodsdon, Head of Nursing Research and Innovation.
Dr Sharon Barrett, Chief Operating Officer at CRN North Thames, introduced the organisation's agile workforce, designed to support research in non-NHS settings, before Professor Paul Dimitri, Clinical Director of the NIHR Children and Young People MedTech Co-operative presented the latest in medical technology and children's research.
Holly Speight, NIHR Associate PI Manager at the NIHR Coordinating Centre, spoke about the Associate Principal Investigator Scheme which was followed by Dr Fleming discussing the impact of COVID-19 on children's research.
The day, which also featured breakout sessions and interactive work, was wrapped up by Nicolene Plaatjies, Paediatric Champion at CRN North Thames, with some closing remarks.
Dr Fleming said: “It was great to showcase the full scope of children's research at this event, which we thank everyone for attending.
“Paediatric research is thriving in North Thames and we are seeing the benefits of that for children and young people in our region.”
