First open day for Portsmouth Research Hub

Research teams will be offering free health checks and advice to the community as part of an open day for people to find out more about clinical studies happening on their doorstep.

Staff at Portsmouth Research Hub are delighted to be opening their doors to the public on Thursday 18 April 2024, between 10am and 2pm.

Based at the John Pounds Centre, the special event will take place in the centre’s sports hall, with tours offered of the clinical trials facility which is located on the first floor.

Portsmouth Research Hub is a collaboration between University Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research). It first opened during the pandemic to help research Covid-19 vaccines and played an important role in helping roadmap our way out of lockdown.

The team continues to offer local people the chance to take part in clinical trials which aim to save and improve lives, and they’d like to invite people to come along and find out more.

Johanna Mouland, Research Nurse Lead, said: “We’d really love people to come and ask us questions, and have a look around. Everything we do relies on volunteers. People who take part tell us they get a lot out of the experience, knowing they are helping improve healthcare for everyone.”

The event will also be offering health advice and free health checks in the sports hall at the John Pounds Centre.

Organisers are particularly keen to raise awareness among ethnic groups.

Shipa Ahmed Khan, Health Inequalities Lead at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: “It’s really important that people from all ethnic backgrounds take part in research, because this ensures the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, treatments and interventions."

“Understandably, many people in the city are sceptical and don’t know much about research, so this is a chance to learn and start finding out a little more.”

To date, the team has recruited more than 6,000 participants and this number continues to grow. They have run eight different studies and with many more to come.

The next new study opens in May and is another Covid-19 trial, to ensure the best possible protection can be offered during the next Autumn round of vaccinations.

Hear from participants:

“I really feel this is a positive way to help the community. I feel like I've moved medical research on a bit further which sounds a bit grandiose - I just play a small part, but it's an important part." 
Kay – Research participant

“I first got involved in the research in 2020 – and I wanted to contribute towards efforts to find a vaccine during the pandemic. The team are super friendly and all the information I received before I started was brilliant. It makes me feel like I’m helping others.”
Rob – Research participant

For anyone wishing to attend, get your free ticket here or for any more information contact chrissy.sturt@nihr.ac.uk