When brilliant minds come together.

As the NHS marked its milestone 75th year, we caught up with Research Manager Sandra Igbodo to discuss what makes her proud to be part of the NHS and the important role that research plays in developing the NHS into what it is today, as well as what it means for its future.

First joining the NHS more than 20 years ago, Sandra has accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge from various positions. Since 2010, she has undertaken research management and facilitation roles within mental health trusts, local universities and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). She joined team NWAS in 2018 and in her role as research manager works as part of the Research and Development Team to create a thriving research culture at our organisation. Sandra says:

“Research in the NHS is essential to help improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of health conditions for all patients. We need to ensure that all our patients, public and staff can participate in research to aid advancements in health care.”

Winning awards for their efforts, Sandra and the team work to seek opportunities for us to host NIHR supported studies, foster new research collaborations and support colleagues and external study teams with undertaking their research. They ensure that research is conducted safely and effectively in line with national research governance standards.

Sandra continues: “Pre-hospital urgent and emergency care research has advanced significantly over the years and there has been a shift in the understanding of ambulance services and the tremendous potential we have in terms of research. Carrying out research in the pressurised setting of an ambulance service is very challenging but rewarding. From delivering a research study about staff wellbeing to a randomised controlled trial for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, the possibilities are limitless. The research we deliver can enhance the way we provide health care and services, making improvements for our staff and patients.”

Achieving their best performance in relation to NIHR participant recruitment in 2022-23 and hosting the trust’s first national research conference this year, the team has gone from strength to strength, and going forward, they aim to continue to grow research at NWAS to provide even more opportunities to get involved.

The findings of a recent study have been published from a clinical trial that the trust participated in that explored whether diagnostic testing and decision aids, along with clinical judgement and appropriate training, can identify patients at a low risk of a heart attack in the out-ofhospital environment.

Reflecting on being a part of the NHS, Sandra says: “The NHS is an institution that continually strives to enhance the health and wellbeing of all and I’m proud to be able to contribute to this ambition. Whether you’re in a clinical or administrative role, there is a collective sense of purpose in delivering the best health care that we can for our patients.”