Research nurses and midwives vital in COVID-19 response

A south London Matron believes research nurses and midwives have an essential role to play in helping to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Matron Naomi Hare has worked at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust for more than 10 years. As part of a large team, she is overseeing the delivery of National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) COVID-19 clinical trials within the trust. These studies are also supported by CRN South London.

Speaking on International Nurses’ Day, which recognises the contribution of nurses to society, she said her team plays an important role in helping patients to access research. Naomi, who is also an NIHR 70@70 Senior Nurse and Midwife Lead, said: 

“The role of the research nurse and midwife is key to the delivery of high quality clinical research. They both play an important part in the set-up, management and delivery of studies, as well as in overseeing and providing care to patients participating in research. As part of an interprofessional team, nurses ensure that people are supported throughout the study process particularly in complex or experimental clinical trials, and they have an important safety remit.

“Nurses and midwives are in an excellent position to identify what research questions matter to patients, service users and our profession. They are vital to gathering and contributing data, supporting people to consider participation, central in disseminating knowledge and in ensuring that our practice and care is informed by the best evidence. 

“I am incredibly proud to be supporting and overseeing research delivery of COVID-19 studies as part of a team of investigators, clinicians, managers, nurses, matrons, practitioners, data administrators, pharmacists and laboratory staff. Undertaking timely clinical research and collecting reliable evidence at pace is key to understanding, diagnosing and combatting this global pandemic and this is at the heart of our research efforts within the trust.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’ is part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight Academic Health Science Centres in England, and their NIHR Guy’s and St Thomas’ Biomedical Research Centre is a leader in translational research and innovation.

CRN South London’s Workforce Development Lead Nhlanhla Mguni said: “I’d like to thank nurses, midwives and practitioners across south London for their work in supporting vital COVID-19 research.

“Nurses, midwives and practitioners have an unparalleled contribution to make to clinical research. They are champions for driving innovation and informing research priorities within their organisations.

“Thank you for everything you are doing to support the national response to COVID-19 in south London.”