Research & Development
This page was last updated: May 23rd, 2022
We are dedicated to developing ground breaking treatments, technologies and techniques as well as meeting your needs and identifying the best use of resources.
Find out about health and social care research that is taking place in your area and across the UK.
More about the department
How we approve research and make sure it is safe
- The NHS Research Governance Framework sets out the standards by which research is conducted. This includes the monitoring of protocols and procedures to make sure that these are followed.
- Any research we carry out must meet recognised ethical standards and respect the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of the people who take part.
- These standards must be assessed and approved by an independent Research Ethics Committee (REC)
Links to further information on clinical research
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
- Health Research Authority (HRA)
- Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- Involve
Patient Information and health and care research
Newsletters
Links to some of our previous studies
Please see below sample of published research results from some of the studies that the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust have been involved in. We are aiming to increase the number available on this webpage in the future.
Please note there is often a significant time lag between the end of patient participation in a study and the availability of the results.
Anaesthesia
PROBESE- Effect of Intraoperative High Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) With Recruitment Manuevers vs Low PEEP on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Obese Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Cardiology
HPS2-THRIVE randomized placebo-controlled trial in 25 673 high-risk patients of ER niacin/ laropiprant: trial design, pre-specified muscle and liver outcomes, and reasons for stopping study treatment.
Rehabilitation Enablement in Chronic Heart Failure (REACH-HF)
ORION 4- Life-saving anti-cholesterol drug recommended on NHS thanks to groundbreaking clinical trials.
COVID
REMAP-CAP- A Randomised, Embedded, Multi-factorial, Adaptive Platform Trial for Community-Acquired Pneumonia.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673620305377
COMMFLUCOV Study- Combining Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination (ComFluCOV)
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2021/september/comfluvcov-study.html
GenOMICC- Another life-saving Covid drug identified.
Novavax- Novavax COVID-19 vaccine researched in the South West approved in UK by MHRA.
Recovery- Results.
Critical Care
Risk Adjustment In Neurocritical care (RAIN)– prospective validation of risk prediction models for adult patients with acute traumatic brain injury to use to evaluate the optimum location and comparative costs of neurocritical care: a cohort study.
POPPI– A nurse-led, preventive, psychological intervention to reduce Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptom severity in critically ill patients.
Dermatology
Effect of Topical Imiquimod as Primary Treatment for Lentigo Maligna: The LIMIT-1 Study
Diabetes
ALTITUDE: ALiskiren Trail in T2 Diabetes using cardiorenal endpoints
Emergency Medicine
- Need for recovery and physician well-being in emergency departments, European Journal of Emergency Medicine
- CRASH 3
- Randomised Evaluation of modified Valsalva Effectiveness in Re-entrant Tachycardias (REVERT) study.
Gastroenterology
PANTS Personalised anti-TNF therapy in Crohn’s disease study
Haematology
Targeting of Antithrombin in Hemophilia A or B with RNAi Therapy
CHOP versus GEM-P in previously untreated patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (CHEMO-T): a phase 2, multicentre, randomised, open-label trial
GAZELLE Study- Obinutuzumab short-duration infusion (SDI) in previously untreated advanced follicular lymphoma Roche – Roche’s Gazyvaro shorter 90-minute infusion time approved in Europe for people with previously treated or untreated follicular lymphoma
Hepatology
Hepatitis E virus in patients with decompensated chronic liver disease: a prospective UK/French study.
Steroids or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis (STOPAH) trial
Neurology- Multiple Sclerosis
The Cannabinoid Use in Progressive Inflammatory brain Disease (CUPID) trial: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group multicentre trial and economic evaluation of cannabinoids to slow progression in multiple sclerosis.
Towards a better understanding of MS pain: a systematic review of potentially modifiable psychosocial factors.
Oncology
The POUT trial: PeriOperative chemotherapy or sUrveillance in upper Tract urothelial cancer
Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 (Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Trial)
Trial of intraoperative cell salvage versus transfusion in ovarian cancer (TIC TOC): protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study.
Body mass index and sexual function in women with gynaecological cancer
Randomized Phase II Study Evaluating Palbociclib in Addition to Letrozole as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Estrogen Receptor–Positive Early Breast Cancer: PALLET Trial.
Esomeprazole and aspirin in Barrett’s oesophagus (AspECT): a randomised factorial trial
Intermittent chemotherapy plus either intermittent or continuous cetuximab for first-line treatment of patients with KRAS wild-type advanced colorectal cancer (COIN-B): a randomised phase 2 trial
Intermittent versus continuous oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine combination chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: results of the randomised phase 3 MRC COIN trial
3 versus 6 months of adjuvant oxaliplatin-fluoropyrimidine combination therapy for colorectal cancer (SCOT): an international, randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial
PARSIFAL Study: Looking at the effect and safety of palbociclibin in combination with two different endocrine treatments in patients with ER+, HER negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Fulvestrant-Palbociclib vs Letrozole-Palbociclib as Initial Therapy for Endocrine-Sensitive, Hormone Receptor–Positive, ERBB2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Breast Cancer | JAMA Oncology | JAMA Network
Orthopaedics
Hip arthroscopy versus best conservative care for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (UK FASHIoN): a multicentre randomised controlled trial
HEALTH – Total Hip Arthroplasty or Hemiarthroplasty for Hip Fracture
UK Star- Plaster case vs functional brace for non-surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture.
Paediatrics
MAGNEsium Trial In Children (MAGNETIC): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial and economic evaluation of nebulised magnesium sulphate in acute severe asthma in children
Oxygen saturation targets in infants with bronchiolitis (BIDS): a double-blind, randomised, equivalence trial
Adjunctive rifampicin for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (ARREST): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Early or Delayed Enteral Feeding for Preterm Growth-Restricted Infants: A Randomised Trial ADEPT
Oxygen saturation targets in infants with bronchiolitis (BIDS): a double-blind, randomised, equivalence trial
Oxygen Saturation and Outcomes in Preterm Infants (BOOST II)
Pathology
- Use of the Biocartis Idylla™ Platform for the Detection of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, BRAF and KRAS Proto-Oncogene Mutations in Liquid-Based Cytology Specimens from Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
- Idylla microsatellite instability assay versus mismatch repair immunohistochemistry: a retrospective comparison in gastric adenocarcinoma
Renal Medicine
SPEAK study (Surveying People Experiencing young Adult Kidney failure)
PIVOTAL Intravenous Iron in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis
Rheumatology
Stroke
REstart or STop Antithrombotics Randomised Trial
Antiplatelet treatment compared with anticoagulation treatment for cervical artery dissection (CADISS): a randomised trial
Efficacy of nitric oxide, with or without continuing antihypertensive treatment, for management of high blood pressure in acute stroke (ENOS): a partial-factorial randomised controlled trial
TWIST: Does the Use of Nintendo Wii SportsTM Improve Arm Function? Trial of WiiTM in Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial and Economics Analysis
Urology
Thulium laser transurethral vaporesection of the prostate versus transurethral resection of the prostate for men with lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary retention (UNBLOCS): a randomised controlled trial
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673620305377
Women’s Health & Obstetrics
VUE- Surgical interventions for uterine prolapse and for vault prolapse
Prednisolone in Nephrotic Syndrome: The PREDNOS Study
Intraoperative cell salvaged blood as part of a blood conservation strategy in Caesarean section: is fetal red cell contamination important?
Immediate delivery compared with expectant management after preterm pre-labour rupture of the membranes close to term (PPROMT trial): a randomised controlled trial
Upright versus lying down position in second stage of labour in nulliparous women with low dose epidural: BUMPES randomised controlled trial
NHS Staff Research
Hair today, gone tomorrow: How personal protective equipment guidance changed doctor’s facial hair during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Radiography
Links to reports on our performance in delivering research
Feedback about your research experiences
To enable us to do this, we hold an annual, snapshot experience survey as well as welcoming feedback through Care Opinion. https://www.careopinion.org.uk/ Care Opinion allows people to anonymously share their experiences, good and bad, of healthcare services across the country. Stories are then passed to department representatives who will review and respond via the website.
Working With Us
Current vacancies for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals, Research & Development Department can be found at NHS jobs.
Links to useful information:
- National Institute for Health Research
- e-research in Cornwall
- NHS Health Research Authority
- National Institute for Health Research – South West Peninsula
Find out what a career in NHS Research at the Royal Cornwall Hospital could offer you
Researcher Profiles: meet some of the researchers conducting their own studies at the Trust
Laura Royle
Senior Study Set-up Officer, R&D
Laura began her career in Research & Development as an Administrator in Oncology. Soon she was inspired to complete her MSc thesis on a study looking at the quality of life of people with cancer who have participated in research.
Laura explains: “This was the first study of mine that required Health Research Authority approval and all that this entails. It was a steep learning curve, but the assistance of the study set-up team and the governance team was fantastic. I was supported and encouraged every step of the way”. Laura is now planning her second piece of research at the Trust, looking at the running of health research during the pandemic.
Mr Alexandros Hadjiantoni
Chief Cardiac Physiologist
Alex is undertaking his study as part of his PhD in Biomedical Science. The purpose of the MAAP Trial is the clinical evaluation of a High-Sensitivity 12 lead Electrocardiogram, for patients presenting with cardiac chest pain. The study comes with benefits to the patient which include early diagnosis of heart disease, a reduction in illness and death on top of reduced costs to the NHS.
Alex said “The Research Team have provided me with no end of support, guidance and advice, and always a smile. I would encourage anyone to undertake research and a PhD. Be resourceful and confident that the right people will guide you on your journey”.
Fangyi Xie
Dermatology Registrar
Fangyi, has played a major role in a project using photodynamic therapy. This is a form of light treatment using a photosensitizer to treat precancerous skin lesions and basal cell carcinomas. The single centre clinical trial aims to see whether changing the duration of application of the photosensitizer improves the outcome for patients with a precancerous form of sun damage.
Fangyi says she has had a brilliant and very educational experience so far, and would recommend anyone to consider setting up their own research.
Chrissy Eade
Consultant Plain Film Radiographer
Chrissy qualified as a diagnostic radiographer from the University of the West of England in 1999. She had always wanted to develop a clinical patient facing role whilst also achieving academically through teaching and research.
Currently, Chrissy is working with a research team from the University of Exeter who are studying x-rays of children aged 24 months and under. The project aims to look at certain types of bone fractures in young children. It will see if the latest ‘artificial intelligence’ technology can help detect physical abuse as a cause. The need to develop radiology diagnosis nationally and to improve the clinical pathway to keep our local children safe are Chrissy’s primary motivators for the research.
Leonie Glinski
Senior Biomedical Scientist in Cytopathology
Executive for the British Association of Cytopathology
Leonie has been actively involved in cancer related research for nearly two decades. She has contributed to research that results in services at RCHT attracting national and international recognition as best practice. Leonie is currently involved in trials that ensure patients in Cornwall continue to receive advanced diagnostic services.
Leonie says “I am passionate about cytopathology services and I’m motivated further by working collaboratively with the great and enthusiastic management, laboratory staff and research teams at RCHT. Each area shares the fundamental goals of improving patient pathways and care outcomes and brings their wealth of knowledge and expertise to the fore. I believe this is the key to successful research and innovation and I’m so delighted to be part of it”.
Mary Jones
Chartered Scientist
Mary works in the pathology department specialising in immunohistochemistry and molecular biology for histology and cytology specimens. She has supported multiple departmental projects and been a primary author for several professional journal articles.
Mary said “The R&D team provide fantastic support and training for all research being undertaken in the Trust. The foundation of my practices and skills were obtained on a five-day residential course held in France. Many of the research projects undertaken in pathology have directly led to improvements for cancer patients in Cornwall and include multiple team collaborations. The ongoing and future research in my department entails the search for techniques to allow more treatment options for cancer patients using smaller and less invasive samples from patients”.
Dr Daniel Kim
Consultant Radiologist
Dr Daniel Kim is a consultant radiologist, sub-specialising in gastrointestinal imaging with a research interest in artificial intelligence (AI). Dr Kim has a combined medical and computational background with degrees in Computation Biology (BSc), Bioinformatics (MSc) and Medicine (MBChB). This has provided the platform from which to conduct AI research in topics such as fracture detection and diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. He also has experience in industry investigating the use of Radiomics in liver imaging.
Dr Kim is currently supporting the National Consortium of Intelligent Medical Imaging with various AI research projects hosted here at RCHT. He also has ongoing research investigating the use of AI for faster diagnosis of bowel obstruction and for enhanced MRI safety. In the future Dr Kim aims to promote the integration and validation of AI in standard clinical pathways and is open to further collaboration with clinical colleagues, academia and industry.
Dr Kim says “Artificial Intelligence is a fascinating discipline that has huge potential to improve patient outcomes. I am excited by the prospect of further developments in this field and by the opportunity to contribute with research here at RCHT. The assistance and direction from the research department at RCHT has been excellent. They have been very supportive and willing to work together to reach the goal of improving patient care through research. This has made research at RCHT particularly productive and enjoyable.”
