Research Support Awards recognise vital contributions to the future of health and care
People working across the health and care sector in Kent, Surrey and Sussex have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to research.
The Research Support Awards, run by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Clinical Research Network Kent, Surrey and Sussex are designed to recognise people and teams who provide essential support to research activities, despite not working directly in research roles.
More than 70 individuals and teams were nominated across the region, from 21 different organisations, from acute NHS trusts to care homes. The judging panel selected winners and highly commended entries in five separate categories:
Acute Trust:
- Winners: Maternity Triage, Antenatal Ward and Maidstone Birth Centre Teams (joint award), Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
- Highly Commended: Pevensey Day Unit, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Highly Commended: Radiology Team and InHealth, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Mental Health Trust:
- Winner: Dementia Assessment Service - West Sussex North, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Highly Commended: Dartford Liaison Team, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust
Community:
- Winner: Natasha James, Senior Respiratory Practitioner Community Respiratory Team, Medway Community Healthcare
Primary Care:
- Winner: Fiona Green, Brockwood Medical Practice
- Highly commended: Julie Taylor, Mile Oak Medical Centre
Out-of-hospital settings:
- Winner: Angela Tongson, Summerlands Care Home
- Highly commended: Pam Packham, Abbeyfield North Downs Society
Dr Joanne Zamani, Chief Operating Officer of NIHR CRN Kent, Surrey and Sussex, said:
“The number and quality of nominations this year was incredibly high and included many inspiring stories. These show just how passionate people feel about research, even when it is not part of their core role.
“Deciding on the winners was challenging - with so many high quality nominations from a wide range of disciplines. It is wonderful to see the extraordinary level of commitment people working in health and care show to improving the wellbeing of their communities.
“What was remarkable this year was the number of inspiring nominations we received for out-of-hospital settings, such as care homes and Primary Care practices. This truly demonstrates that research is no longer something that happens in hospitals, but is something that involves the entire community.”
Winners will receive £500 for their organisation and those who receive a highly commended will receive £250 for their organisation to spend on research promotion and engagement.
