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New Thames Valley research fellows announced

Healthcare staff in Berkshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire have been awarded funding to develop their career in research. 

The Research Fellow Scheme, run by the NIHR Clinical Research Network Thames Valley and South Midlands, involves medical professionals working with researchers to aid them in running and recruiting patients to studies.

The fellows will spend 50 percent of their time on NIHR-supported research over 12 months, for which they will receive up to £40,000 in funding. 

This year's fellows are: 

  • Annie Rose, A&E Research Nurse at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Helen Cui, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Nicola Jacques, Urgent Care Research Sister at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
  • Rachel Varughese, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Warren Sheehan, Physiotherapist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Annie Rose (pictured) said: "My particular interest is in how we meet the physical and mental healthcare needs of people who identify as transgender. The needs of this patient group are often poorly understood by staff and service provision is often under-resourced and this often leads to transgender people attending A&E in crisis.

"In addition, I am interested in how research nurses can help to influence research delivery by influencing the attitudes and opinions of staff towards research, in order to increase their engagement with the research process. 

"I hope the fellowship will be able to help me by giving me time to pursue these interests, giving me access to the NIHR and other research delivery and development services, so that I can get a solid understanding of the bigger research machine in the NHS."