A HEALTH trust serving Halton has topped a list of all NHS Trusts in England for research studies that have helped hundreds of patients develop and benefit from new treatments.

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has been recognised by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) - the Department for Health & Social Care’s research hub.

The Trust - which also serves communities in Warrington, St Helens and parts of Greater Manchester - achieved the highest percentage increase in the number of research studies recruited to – an increase of 250 per cent.

Dr. Rachel Hall, head of research at Bridgewater, said: "This is a huge feather in the cap for Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

"We are developing a reputation as a Trust that is engaged in high level, innovative research.

"The NIHR funds cutting edge innovative research, so it's especially satisfying to have our achievement recognised by them.

"In a sense, our strength is our diversity – we offer a broad range of community-based services and cover a significant geographic footprint, which means that we have the potential to support a wide variety of research studies."

The league table figures show that of all NHS Trusts in England, Bridgewater achieved the highest percentage increase in the number of studies recruited to, going from two in 2017/18 to seven in 2018/19 – an increase of 250 per cent.

Additionally, the Trust also achieved the 3rd highest percentage increase in recruitment by a trust in England, going from 34 in 2017/18 to 247 in 2018/19 – an increase of 626 per cent.

The trust is currently involved in research studies that include work around stroke rehabilitation, aimed at getting people back to work within twelve months of stroke.

This is an unusual research study in that it is being led by Occupational Therapists. Additionally, the Trust is engaged in groundbreaking research with Warrington Sexual Health around Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, the drug aimed at preventing HIV infections.

Dr. Rachel Hall continued: "I think the recognition from the NIHR is a great accolade for our research supportive clinicians – as it’s usually something that’s above and beyond their day jobs.

"This demonstrates a passion for what we do and a commitment to values that shape how we deliver NHS services in our local communities – we're person-centred, we encourage innovation, we’re open and honest, we’re professional, locally led and efficient."