The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn (QEH), has been recognised as the UK’s leading recruiter of patients for a heart failure clinical trial.
Since it opened, The QEH has successfully enrolled five people onto the trial, which provides patients with access to cutting-edge investigational treatment and is playing an important role in tackling heart failure on a global scale.
Heart failure affects around 920,000 people in the UK, with approximately 200,000 new diagnoses each year. According to NHS England these figures are expected to nearly double by 2040. Research into the causes, prevention and treatment of the condition is vital to improving future patient outcomes.
Last year The Research, Innovation and Development department at The QEH became one of just 15 UK sites actively participating in the AstraZeneca-sponsored trial, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to ongoing research.
‘Incredibly proud’
Dr Rudolf Duehmke, Principal Investigator at The QEH, said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised as the UK’s leading recruiter in this global heart failure clinical trial.
“This achievement highlights the outstanding dedication of our Research and Innovation team. Their hard work has been key to our success, especially as a smaller hospital competing with larger centres.
“We look forward to building on this success and continuing to offer innovative treatment options through future research opportunities.”
‘A fantastic achievement’
The hospital’s Lead for Research, Innovation and Development, Tom Dymond, added: “Recruiting five patients is a fantastic achievement for the cardiology team at The QEH as it gives patients the opportunity to be involved in research with new medications, something that the Trust has not previously delivered.
“I would like to thank all of the patients who are taking part in this study and all research participants within the Trust”.
Rebecca Martin, Medical Director at The QEH, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our patients the chance to take part in vital research such as this where possible.”
