Published: 31 October 2022
Clinical research nursing in Southampton has been commended in the 2022 Nursing Times Awards.
The winners of the awards were announced last week in a glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) won the award for Clinical Research Nursing. Sponsored by the NIHR, the award category recognises the essential contribution of the clinical research nursing workforce.
Marie Nelson, UHS R&D Head of Nursing and Health Professions, said:
“It is fantastic to receive this recognition for the amazing work our joint role nurses are able to provide for research, our clinical areas and our patients. We are all extremely proud to represent UHS.”
The initiative, titled 'Utilising Joint Roles to Maximise Research Opportunities at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust' aimed to increase awareness of and embed research within the Trust as a ‘core’ NHS activity. The team aimed to promote and increase opportunities for patients and staff to access and participate in research, through the expansion of joint research/clinical nursing roles.
These roles allow research activities to take place alongside clinical responsibilities. The initiative increases research knowledge, clinical skills and experience. It also enhances professional career development and personal wellbeing. Additionally, it increases visibility and accessibility of research within clinical areas across the Trust. The team has created a single job description including all elements of the joint role.
Professor Ruth Endacott, NIHR Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said:
“We have had another great field of entries for the Clinical Research Nursing category. The eight shortlisted entries demonstrate a great range of nurse-led interventions, which develop the vital role of nurses in the delivery of high-quality clinical research.
“The winners have had a sustained impact on the quality of patient care and is transferable to any health and social care organisation.”
Steve Ford, editor of Nursing Times, said:
“The quality of entries is consistently high each year and to be shortlisted, let alone win a category, is a great achievement. It marks out individuals and teams as truly special and ground-breaking in their area of work.
“Our winners are special every year. I hope that our awards can go some small way to recognising the effort and skill shown by nursing staff in providing high quality care, whatever the specialty or setting and despite the enormous challenges they continue to face.”
The photo shows (left to right):
- Professor Ruth Endacott, NIHR Director of Nursing and Midwifery (presented the award)
- Edisa Xhani, ED Research Nurse
- Emy Van der harg, Paediatric Research Nurse
- Anna Foster, ED Research Nurse
- Dr Karen Underwood, UHS Director of Research and Development
- Lisa Berry, Lead Research Matron
- Marie Nelson, UHS R&D Head of Nursing and Health Professions