General Surgery research has grown significantly over the last few years and now boasts an established team of researchers from a wide range of specialities.

Surgeons, trainee surgeons and a stretched trials manager, with the support of nursing staff from the Clinical Research Network (CRN), were already able to boast the completion of many prestigious research trials but the appointment of permanent and dedicated research nursing colleagues took the team onwards and upwards.

December 2016 marked the start of this further expansion of what was already a very busy and highly successful surgical research team at UHB. Arlo Whitehouse was appointed as the Lead Research Nurse for General Surgery. Under his leadership, the research delivery team continued to build successfully. Now a well-established General Surgery research team at the Trust includes surgeons, surgical trainees, three nurses, a trial administrator, a trial manager and a Project Manager. 

The team now manage an exciting world-class portfolio of research trials. This growth is primarily down to the multi-disciplinary approach they take involving specialists and surgeons in the areas of colorectal, upper gastrointestinal and liver surgery, intensivists, physiotherapy, radiography, pathology, pharmacy and nursing.

Arlo said “Since starting last December we have already recruited our 500^th participant which is an amazing achievement by the team.”

The range of trials and research include almost £3 million in NIHR funding some of which is helping to complete the ROSSINI 2 trial. This promises to be one of the biggest ever pieces of clinical research around surgical site infections, by the use of novel interventions. This work is being led by Mr Thomas Pinkney.

The reputation of the team and the high quality research it produces is spreading both nationally and internationally as they complete and contribute to new and challenging trials. This means they are now being approached by leading device and drug companies to conduct research trials.

General surgery has now established their own Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group to work in partnership with patients to shape future research. The team also won the best stand for PPI at this year’s Research Showcase event.

Lead nurse Arlo added: “Our team has a passion to provide patients with the best available care and is committed to informing future practice by providing high quality, evidence-based research.”