Royal College of Physicians and NIHR CRN Awards: Cornwall NHS consultant crowned winner

A consultant haematologist from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has been announced as a winner at the National Institute for Health Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) and Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Awards.

Dr David Tucker has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to clinical research. He said: “I am delighted to accept this award.  It is a real tribute to the outstanding achievements of the whole haematology research team which has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure patients in Cornwall continue to have access to state-of-the-art therapies within clinical trials.  We have developed a thriving research portfolio of commercial and non-commercial research into a wide variety of haematological conditions.  Clinical trials are and should remain at the centre of haematology therapeutics and I am extremely proud of RCHT’s can-do attitude toward research and development which provides excellent treatment for our patients and makes it an exciting and innovative place to work.”

Applicants were required to outline their contribution to the leadership of several NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio studies with a particular focus on:

• how they demonstrate clinical leadership enabling their organisation to increase its participation in clinical studies
• how they engaged with patients to inform them of new opportunities to participate in clinical research
• their contribution to successful delivery of clinical research studies, with a particular emphasis on industry (commercial contract) studies.

On the award winners, Royal College of Physicians academic vice president, Professor Ramesh Arasaradnam said:

“It’s been a real privilege to witness the high level of research set by my colleagues and RCP is proud to be supporting them. Truly it’s a testament of how to embed research within clinical practice. Many congratulations.”

Since its inception in 2006, the NIHR has significantly increased the scale of clinical research in the NHS, particularly through the NIHR Clinical Research Network. The engagement of NHS physicians and trainees in research is essential for sustaining and building on this success, particularly given the many competing demands on clinician time and resources.

Professor Nick Lemoine, Medical Director of the NIHR Clinical Research Network said:

“Clinical leadership is vital for the world-leading performance of the NIHR Clinical Research Network. Each of the consultants and trainees who are prize winners this year have made outstanding contributions to the delivery of research studies in their region and it is wonderful to see the next generation of researchers coming through.”

As part of the application process the applicants had to set out how they would use the prize money to increase their contribution to NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio studies in the future.

Consultant award winners will be invited to the Harveian Oration on 20 October 2021.