Could award be heading to Norfolk

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award after creating an integrated system to support referrals into research studies and improve the way information used in research is managed.

The project, called ‘Researching Together’, is one of 10 finalists in the Clinical Research Nursing category of the Nursing Times Awards 2020. NSFT is the only specialist mental health trust and the only trust from the eastern region to be shortlisted for the accolade.

Researching Together has seen NSFT’s Research and Development Team create a centralised point of access for people interested in taking part in research through self- or clinician referral. The new system collects voluntary information about the wellbeing, cultural needs and preferences of those taking part in research so that the team can provide a more personalised service.

Feedback materials have also been developed as part of the project, while an evaluation of the impact which taking part in research has on service users has been carried out.

The initiative has boosted the number of people signing up to research projects, with an additional 600 referrals received since the system launched in October 2019. At the same time, more than 6,000 generic research materials promoting the service have been sent out in routine clinical packs.

Louise McCarthy, Lead Research Nurse for NSFT, said:

"We are delighted that this exciting project has been shortlisted for this prestigious national award.

"The integrated system has meant that we are able to provide a much more informed, focused and patient-centered service. Being shortlisted for this award is a recognition for all of the time and effort made by our participants who are part of research and provides a great opportunity to highlight nursing research and its vital role in improving patient care and services."

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House in London on 14 October.