People of the South West help UK COVID-19 research pass one million participants

More than one million participants (1,075,000) have now taken part in COVID-19 research across the UK, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and NHS can proudly announce.

People across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset have played an important role in reaching this remarkable milestone, with more than 15,000 participants taking part in nationally-prioritised COVID-19 studies, supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula.

Professor Michael Gibbons, Clinical Director for the NIHR Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula, said: “Over the last year there has been astonishing support for research into COVID-19. I would like to personally thank all those participants in the South West who volunteered to support the shaping of the history of research into COVID-19. You are all amazing individuals, thank you, you should be proud.” 

Since the onset of the pandemic, the NIHR has supported more than 180 studies into COVID-19 right across the country. Of these, more than 100 studies were also funded by the NIHR, amounting to more than £108 million given to dedicated COVID-19 research.

The milestone of one million participants has been achieved across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales by members of the public, NHS doctors and nurses, NIHR research staff and researchers, regulators, life science companies, research funders and policy makers. Across the South West region, every single acute hospital has supported and delivered this vital research - by helping their patients to take part.

The efforts of the research teams at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, have enabled world-leading research into therapeutics such as dexamethasone and tocilizumab, delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, and more. Ground-breaking platform studies such as RECOVERY, PRINCIPLE and REMAP-CAP, all carried out in the South West, have all made a significant contribution to the global understanding of COVID-19.

Locally, more than 1,700 people across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset have taken part in COVID-19 vaccine studies and 37% of people admitted into hospital in the South West with COVID-19 have taken part in interventional research studies.

These discoveries have significantly improved outcomes for people who get the virus, especially those most at risk of becoming severely unwell and hospitalised. Without such significant support from the public, this vital research would not have been possible.

Dr Pauline McGlone, Chief Operating Officer for the NIHR Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula, said: “I want to say a sincere thank you to all the research participants across the South West.  The evidence collected through research is vital in finding effective treatments; improving care and supporting our organisations deliver high quality care.  This year has shown the importance of research in response to a global pandemic, the effective treatments and vaccines identified have only been possible through the volunteers taking part in research studies. Thank you.”

Thanking our local research and NHS heroes

To coincide with the announcement of one million participants, the NIHR and NHS are jointly launching the #ResearchVsCovid ‘thank you’ campaign to celebrate the efforts of participants, researchers and healthcare professionals for their involvement in COVID-19 research. Local people are encouraged to join in with their own thank yous to anyone they know who has been involved in COVID research in some way.

The campaign kicks off with a series of video thank yous to participants, researchers and NHS staff. These celebratory videos will feature well-known figures including England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof. Chris Whitty and NHS England Chief Executive, Sir Simon Stevens, and will draw attention to the incredible work and dedication that led to this research.

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England and co-lead for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), said: “Reaching 1million participants in COVID-19 research shows the impressive selflessness of people across the UK who have volunteered to take part. This research has led to vaccines, better treatments and improved care.  A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in, led or enabled the research.”

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: 

“During the darkness of this pandemic, NHS clinical researchers, UK scientists and one million volunteer patients have together helped illuminate a more hopeful path for humanity. 

“Thanks to their remarkable and selfless work, they have made unique and decisive contributions to therapies and vaccines for our shared global fight against Covid-19. It is amazing to consider that more than one million people in this country who have selflessly volunteered to participate in our research will themselves help save over a million lives worldwide."