Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s research, development and innovation department have been shortlisted for two separate awards celebrating the best clinical research in the region.

Both the team working on the ‘COV-BOOST’ coronavirus vaccination booster research study, and individual clinical research nurse Clare Tibke are now short-listed as finalists in the NIHR Greater Manchester Health and Care Research Awards; the winners will be announced later in the month.

Clare Tibke has been shortlisted in the Exceptional Research Delivery Leadership category for her work on expanding research studies in Stepping Hill Hospital’s stroke department. She has been recognised for working closely with ward staff, speech and language therapists, clinicians and physiotherapists to ensure a varied mix of research opportunities are on offer to help enhance stroke care for the future.

The ‘COV-BOOST’ research vaccine team headed by Dr David Baxter is the finalist for the Collaborative Working Accomplishment award. This study involved close partnership working with primary care, other NHS trusts in the region, together with lab staff, pharmacy staff and those from many other different specialties within Stockport NHS Foundation Trust itself, both at Stepping Hill Hospital and in the community. 

The COV-BOOST study has been a vital component of the national vaccine booster programme which has helped the NHS to control the COVID-19 pandemic and save thousands of lives.

Wiesia Woodyatt, Research and Innovation Manager for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said “We’re hugely pleased that both Clare and the COV-BOOST team have been recognised for their excellent contributions to research by being shortlisted for the Greater Manchester Health and Care Research Awards. Stroke care and COVID-19 vaccination are very different fields of research but both vitally important, and it is fantastic to see recognition of our staff’s contributions into each one of them.” 

The winners of the NIHR Greater Manchester Health and Care Research Awards will be announced in a ceremony at Manchester’s Etihad stadium on Thursday 29th September 2022.