CLATTERBRIDGE Cancer Centre's research capability has been expanded with the creation of a unit dedicated to increase the number of ground-breaking clinical trials.
An Early Phase Trials Unit has been set up at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool to increase experimental medicine and world-class research for cancer patients across the region.
Clatterbridge – which is joining research teams across the UK on Friday to celebrate International Clinical Trials Day – now has a Unit with four in-patient beds where treatment and care can be provided more efficiently and effectively, while training, education and support can be further enhanced.
A room in the Early Phase Trials Unit
Previously, in-patients on clinical trials were located in different areas of the hospital.
Dr Anna Olsson-Brown, consultant medical oncologist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, has been pivotal in setting up this dedicated space. She said: "We are delighted that the Early Phase Trials Unit has been created as this will greatly increase our ability to host early phase clinical trials, widening trial opportunities for our patients and furthering research globally.
"The Clinical Trials team is excited to share the wonderful facilities with participants of our studies – the bedrooms for our inpatients are really second to none. It is important that patients who are participating in clinical trials feel safe and secure and a dedicated space really helps us to achieve that, allowing us to further our research and hopefully to create better treatments and care.”
A room in the Early Phase Trials Unit
Some treatments given on clinical trials, for example immunotherapy, must be administered in a contained environment and the unit has facilities for this, with an adjoining anteroom available where a consultant can observe and have a dialogue with the nurse administering the treatment to a patient, if required.
Prof Christian Ottensmeier, Clatterbridge's director of clinical research, said: "The Early Phase Trials Unit is another example of how Clatterbridge is expanding its research capabilities to increase the number and complexity of our clinical trials, which are so crucial to extending our knowledge of treatments for cancer.
"It shows the Trust’s commitment to research and innovation at our new hospital in the Knowledge Quarter of Liverpool, where we have helped to create a growing community of people committed to furthering science and medicine that will improve outcomes for people with cancer across Cheshire and Merseyside.”
Patient Lorraine Wilby was one of the first people to be admitted to the Unit. She said: “I was one of the first patients moved on to this ward. It is brilliant all being in the same place with the staff but also with people on the same trial. It’s a huge comfort having someone close to talk to. They are a fabulous team, I’ve so much respect for them all.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact Communications Manager Paul Ogden at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust at paul.ogden1@nhs.net or on 07385 425026.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
The Early Phase Trails Unit Team with, centre from left, Demi-Leigh Tyrrell, Deputy Manager of Ward; Michelle Moffitt, Matron for Research and Innovation and Consultant Medical Oncologist Dr Anna Olsson-Brown.
Patient rooms on the Early Phase Trials Unit
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