Launch of CRN North West Coast's first Research Hub at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
On Monday 20th May 2024, International Clinical Trials Day, The CRN North West Coast and Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals opened their first Research Hub at the Ormskirk site. The Research Hub is an area dedicated to seeing people who are taking part in research within the Trust (research participants). It is conveniently located on the main hospital site in Ormskirk within easy reach of the car park and main entrance. The area consists of a waiting room, clinic room and storage area.
The hub was officially opened by Dr Peter Williams, Medical Director, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals who said: “This is the first funded Clinical Research Hub in the region that’s been created in collaboration with the Clinical Research Network, North West Coast. We’re very thankful for this support and I am pleased and proud to open it. It's going to be a fantastic facility for us to bring patients to and will improve the patient experience as well as the staff’s and will help us to promote research activity within the trust.”
The launch was well attended by staff from the Trust and staff from the Clinical Research Network; North West Coast including Chief Operating Officer, Dr Chris Smith, and Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Vicky Wilkinson. Jill Simpson, RD&I Manager, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said: “We’re so excited to be launching the first research hub here at Ormskirk, it’s been a long time coming but we’re really proud of it and we hope our patients enjoy it”
Kevin Thomas, former Deputy Medical Director and now Director for Women and Children, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said: “It’s a wonderful facility for our patients to use as part of the research trials”. We were also joined by Ascanio Tridente, Director of Research, Development & Innovation for Whiston, St Helens & Newton sites, who said: “I am delighted to join you all at the opening of the new research hub and I look forward to working with all of you”.
Vicky Wilkinson, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, CRN NWC said “It's fantastic to see this dedicated research facility at the Ormskirk site open. We look forward to this space benefiting the staff and participants of the MWL community”
The research hub intends to provide a pleasant environment in which to see our research participants during their appointments. The area is a clean, comfortable and relaxing environment. It offers participants, the family or carers comfy chairs, easily accessible toilets, access to refreshments and entertainment e.g. a TV to watch. It also means that people who are coming for more than one visit will be able to be seen in the same space without having to find a different location at subsequent appointments and have more flexibility when arranging to come for their appointments. Take a look at the new research hub in the tour here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FY6A9zi2GtU8p6d2bm8vnAUq5xMouGxE/view?usp=drive_link
The funding for the Research Hub has been provided by the Clinical Research Network North West Coast which is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR fund, enable and deliver world-leading health and social care research that improves people’s health and wellbeing, and promotes economic growth - https://www.nihr.ac.uk/
How do I find the Research Hub?
As you enter the main entrance of Ormskirk Hospital head down the main corridor following signs for the Fracture Clinic which is on your left hand side. Enter the Fracture Clinic via the double doors where you will see a seating area turn right in between the waiting area and the reception desk. You will then see the main entrance to the Research Hub on your right hand side.
How do I get further information about the Research Hub?
Contact the Research Development & Innovation Team
Telephone: 01695 65 6506
