We develop and host research studies that focus on urgent and emergency care in the pre-hospital setting, and other clinical specialities. We also deliver non-clinical research opportunities involving the organisation and our workforce.
We serve a diverse population with a variety of healthcare needs. Our organisation is uniquely placed as a region-wide service that has the capability to effectively challenge and address health inequalities and improve patient outcomes across the northwest of England.
We work together with a range of partners including the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the National Ambulance Research Steering Group (NARSG), NHS organisations, charities and academic institutions to support research that contribute to improving the health of the population, both locally and nationally. We are committed to improving the care and experience of all our patients by generating new evidence that will inform advances in the clinical care we provide.
We are dedicated to building and sustaining an environment in which high quality research is undertaken so that as an organisation, we can successfully contribute to improving the health and wealth of the nation.
The Research and Development (R&D) Team is part of the Medical Directorate and is led by Consultant Paramedic, Steve Bell. The R&D team includes Research Manager, Sandra Igbodo, Senior Research Fellow, Kieran Potts, Research Paramedics Adam Wright and Michelle Waddington, and Research Support Officer, Jesse Oliver.
Research approval and service evaluation registration
All research studies and service evaluation projects that involve our staff, patients, their tissue or information, equipment or other NHS resources must be submitted to R&D Team for review. This includes projects being undertaken by students as part of their educational qualification. Please email [email protected] for information about the review and approval process, or to apply.
Research studies may only commence when written Confirmation of Capacity and Capability has been issued for NHS Health Research Authority (HRA) Approval studies.
Service evaluation projects must be authorised by the service or directorate manager in which the evaluation is being undertaken or the Area Consultant Paramedic or Practitioner for the region in which the project is taking place. The completed service evaluation application form must be submitted to the R&D Team for review. Service evaluation projects may only commence when written confirmation of the project’s registration is issued.
Performance in Initiating and Delivering Clinical Research
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) measures the performance of all providers of NHS services in initiating and delivering research, on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. The government uses this information to ensure that clinical research in England is conducted efficiently and effectively.
The NIHR collects data from all providers of NHS services in England that undertake clinical research, including trusts that undertake NIHR-funded research and those that deliver studies on the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Portfolio. This is known as the Performance in Initiating and Delivering Clinical Research (PID) exercise.
Current Studies
PRONTO stands for PRe-hospital biOmarker and phoNe call-based detection for ischaemic stroke thrombecTOmy.
For people who have a serious type of stroke called ‘large vessel occlusion stroke (LVO)’, an emergency operation called thrombectomy is needed to remove a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain. The faster the thrombectomy is received, the better the chances of recovery. However, thrombectomy is only available in certain regional hospitals.
Currently there are no specific tests that ambulance staff can use to work if LVO stroke is happening. Consequently, most patients with LVO stroke suitable for thrombectomy must be transferred to a specialised regional hospital after brain scans at their local hospital. This takes extra time to get to thrombectomy.
This research is evaluating whether a new assessment can accurately recognise people who have LVO stroke and may need thrombectomy. The assessment consists of a fingerprick blood test and telephone communication between ambulance and hospital staff. The fingerprick test measures two blood chemicals called ‘d-dimer’ and ‘GFAP’ and earlier research conducted in hospitals suggests that together these chemicals indicate LVO stroke.
The trial is currently operating in Cheshire and Merseyside and will be open until late 2026.
SWiFT is a research study that’s looking at what’s best to give people who are bleeding heavily because of an accident. The patients in SWiFT are being treated by an Air Ambulance team. Current best practice is to give a mixture of red blood cells and plasma (the yellowish liquid in your blood that helps with blood clotting). The SWiFT trial is comparing current best practice (red cells and plasma) with giving patients 2 units of whole blood. The whole blood contains platelets (small cells that help blood to clot) as well as red cells and plasma.
How to get involved?
This study is only open to the NWAA service, For more information or to contact us, please email the SWiFT team: email us at [email protected] or call by telephone 01223 588720 or visit the study website at: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/SWiFT
Contact information
If you’re interested in undertaking a research or service evaluation project with North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, or would like guidance about research proposals, research governance, the application process, policies, procedures, research study amendments, HR arrangements (including Research Passports, Letters of Access and Honorary Research Contracts), training and events, please contact [email protected]