Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust which runs Leighton Hospital has unveiled ambitious plans to become a North West centre of excellence for research and development by 2029.
Its plans focus on expanding opportunities for local people to take part in the latest trials, while enabling staff to lead and support more cutting-edge advancements.
The Trust aims to be a leading ‘research-active’ NHS organisation.
Jaime Halvorsen, director of research and development at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said: “This strategy represents a really exciting step change for our organisation.
“Research saves lives, improves care and brings the latest innovations directly to patients and we want our Trust to be at the heart of that.
“By increasing our research capability, improving partnerships and taking advantage of the latest digital tools, we want to create a culture where every member of staff and every patient has the opportunity to contribute to the future of healthcare.”
Bosses at Mid Cheshire Hospitals say the plan focuses on six areas:
Strengthening infrastructure and partnerships – building strong connections with universities, industry and regional research networks
Increasing commercial research – bringing more innovative, funded research to the Trust and the local community
Embedding research in everyday clinical practice – ensuring that every patient has the opportunity to benefit from evidence based advancements
Wider engagement – increasing participation and ensuring research reflects local needs
Harnessing data and digital innovation – using technology to drive faster, more effective research
Measuring success and impact – demonstrating the difference research makes to care and outcomes
The Trust also set out a seven-year timeline for the changes, aiming to establish MCHFT as a regional centre of excellence by 2028-32.
Scott Malton, Chief Nursing Officer, said: “We’re creating a culture where research is part of everyday care in our hospitals and these plans are key to that journey.
“In the past year we’ve seen several improvements that have already put us on the right track.
“A fantastic example was the creation of our research champions network and the installation of research boards around our sites.
“This work aims to make it easier for patients to get involved and understand how important research is for the NHS.
“By empowering our staff and supporting more cutting-edge studies, we can make great strides towards the next healthcare innovations and, most importantly, help to improve patient care.”
To find out more about the strategy, visit mcht.nhs.uk/ResearchStrategy
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