New figures show major progress in patient and healthy volunteer participation in clinical research studies at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital and local community NHS services.

The latest annual results from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) show 3,095 of our local population taking part in studies in 2018/19, up from 642 in 2017/18. This is an increase of 382%, and the fifth biggest increase for an NHS trust in the country.

Stepping Hill Hospital is now a key clinical research site in the area, working closely with the Greater Manchester Clinical Research Network. Its research team covers areas such as heart disease, gastroenterology, ear, nose and throat, cancer, reproductive health, stroke, surgery and children. Many of these studies involve patients testing new drugs to see how effective they can be, or questionnaires to help improve hospital services.

The research team has increased its profile in the past year, with measures including a successful day for the public helping to raise awareness of the research studies open at Stockport. Some of the main areas of research for the year were cancer,  high intensity specialist acute care, and Meningitis B vaccination for teenagers, where the team was the top recruiter in the country.  

Research and Innovation Manager Wiesia Woodyatt said “We’re really pleased to be making real progress on expanding the research opportunities at Stepping Hill Hospital. Research is a core part of the NHS, helping us to improve the current and future health and treatment options for the people we serve. Please don’t hesitate to speak with your healthcare team at Stockport if you wish to find out about the research opportunities available to you to support your health conditions.”

If you are interesting in taking part in any studies at Stepping Hill Hospital, then please e-mail research.development@stockport.nhs.uk or speak with your hospital doctor.