Research practitioner praised for work on south London study

A research delivery staff member has praised the work of CRN South London's agile workforce team on the Cleft Collective Cohort Study.

The Cleft Collective Cohort Study is investigating the biological and environmental causes of cleft, the best treatments for cleft, and the impact of cleft on those affected and their families. A cleft is a gap or split in the mouth's upper lip and/or roof. It is present from birth. The gap is there because parts of the baby's face did not join properly during womb development.

Alice Nynabb, an Assistant Psychologist at the Evelina London Cleft Service, part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, worked alongside CRN South London's Clinical Research Practitioner Shelley Campbell on the Cleft Collective Cohort Study. Alice praised Shelley for her work. Alice said:

"I strongly encourage other services having difficulties managing research demands to seek support from the agile workforce team. This study would not have been up and running without Shelley's dedication and skills. She truly is a remarkable research practitioner.

"Shelley got the study up and running. She sorted out files and documents and liaised with the study team in Bristol to ensure all of our equipment was correct and fit for use. She has recruited many families to this study and trained me to do the same. Shelley was incredibly proactive, organised, and diligent throughout her time working with us.

"I'd like to thank Shelley for her patience, kindness, and superb skills. I hope to be as competent as she was in supporting the study. She is someone I look up to. Shelley has left us in a great position. I wish her well for the future. "

Our agile workforce team works across health specialties and settings, including hospitals, to recruit people for NIHR-supported research.

Cherylin Reinholtz, CRN South London’s Research Matron, who leads the agile workforce team, said: "I'm delighted to hear about Shelley's fantastic work on the Cleft Collective Cohort Study. The entire agile workforce team is working incredibly hard to support the delivery of diverse studies, and I commend them all for their work. I'd be delighted to speak to any researchers or research teams interested in discovering more about the support the agile workforce team can provide."

Find out more about the Cleft Collective Cohort Study on the University of Bristol's website. Email crnsouthlondon@nihr.ac.uk to learn more about agile workforce support.