Health service leaders have thanked more than 1,000 participants who took part in nationally-prioritised COVID-19 studies in Milton Keynes.
A total of 1,325 people took part in 11 studies supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) at Milton Keynes University Hospital and community settings, such as GP practices.
Today (20/5) is International Clinical Trials Day, which celebrates the contribution of clinical trials to healthcare. County studies have been part of a national and international effort to prevent, diagnose and treat the infection.
It comes as the NIHR's annual national Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES) of 1,231 NHS research participants in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire found 95% who took part in research would volunteer for another study.
The COVID-19 studies included collecting daily blood samples from hospitalised COVID-19 patients to establish the impact that the virus has on the body.
Antoanela Colda, Research Delivery Manager at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world just how vital clinical research is. There is a saying that ‘today’s research is tomorrow's treatment’ and it has been particularly exciting over the last year to see this being observed so dynamically in our COVID-19 research.
“Many people gave us their time to participate in the vital research which was imperative to gain understanding and advancements in the fight against COVID-19. This was at a time when they themselves were unwell, scared and fighting their personal battles with the disease.
“How can we say a sufficient thank-you? Without this information gathered there would be no medications proven to help, less knowledge and therefore no vaccines.
“On behalf of the trust’s research team I want to say thank you so much to the hundreds of patients who have voluntarily taken part in clinical trials and the invaluable contribution this has made to the improved treatment and recovery of other patients suffering with COVID-19 at Milton Keynes University Hospital and across the UK.”
Prof Belinda Lennox, Clinical Director for the NIHR Clinical Research Network Thames Valley and South Midlands, added: “This year has demonstrated, more than ever before, the vital importance of clinical research - we have trialled treatments that have saved lives and developed new vaccines that prevent disease.
“This is only possible because of research and because of the volunteers who have given their time and altruistically taken part, not knowing whether they would benefit or not.
“Thank you to each and every person who has taken part in clinical research this year. You have done something amazing.”
