LCRF covers a wide range of disease specialities including oncology, haematology, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, oral and dental health and paediatrics. 

The main CRF is located at St James's University Hospital with satellite units at Leeds General Infirmary- Adult and Paediatrics, Chapel Allerton Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute.

I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2008 and began my nursing career at Leeds General Infirmary working in Interventional Cardiology.

During this time I developed an interest in clinical research and how it can improve patient outcomes and investigate cutting edge device technology and pharmacology. 

I soon began working with the Interventional Cardiology research team on a wide ranging portfolio covering interventional, early phase, CTIMP and observational studies. 

During my 11 years working in clinical research I supported and delivered a large number of high profile clinical trials working collaboratively with international sponsors and representing Leeds as a top performer in complex clinical trial delivery.

One of my main strengths was supporting and teaching new members of staff on research processes and delivery. 

This passion for education led me to my current role as LCRF Clinical Educator.

I joined the Research Academy in October 2022 and support the LCRF workforce with their training and development needs. 

I am committed to providing training for all which educates and empowers our staff to deliver complex and innovative clinical trials across a wide range of disease specialities at LCRF.

Please contact me @ research.academylth@nhs.net

• 6 bedded treatment suite
• 11 treatment chairs
• 1 procedure room

• A muscle laboratory/biopsy room 
• State-of-the-art motion gait analysis laboratory 
• 3T MRI scanner 
• 2 4D ultrasonography suites with image processing facilities.
• The EULAR Centre of Excellence in Rheumatology
• Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (iMBE; Class 2 ISO9001 accredited laboratory).
• Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM): HTA licensed sample repository, sample preparation area and a tissue culture laboratory.

• 4 treatment beds 
• 2 en-suite single rooms.
• Sample preparation and sample storage laboratory

• Neonatal and Paediatric ICU and HDU: 24/7 specialist critical care outreach 
• Clinical Trials Pharmacy: 24 hour access/pharmacy staff/aseptic suite.
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals Pathology Department: Clinical Genetics (including research),Microbiology, Cellular Pathology, Blood Transfusion Services, Blood Sciences, Digital Pathology, Genetics Lab, Specialist Laboratory Medicine (SLM), Solid Malignancy Diagnostic Service (SMDS).

• 6 high specification dental chairs with operating microscopes, intra oral cameras (for digital photography) and controlled lighting system for colour matching and tooth whitening studies
• 2 portable dental chairs with head and portable lights for community-based projects
• Wet laboratory and specimen preparation laboratory
• Class II Biological Safety Cabinet: Suitable for use with class I, II or III organisms with appropriate risk assessment, annually calibrated to national standards
• Anaerobic Microbiology Workstation: processing, incubation and examination of samples without exposure to atmospheric oxygen

• 4 bedded clinical treatment bay (4 treatment beds/chairs)
• 2 clinical consultation/examination rooms.
• Sample preparation/storage laboratory.
• Exercise physiology laboratory/respiratory gas analysis area Integrated Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPEX) exercise equipment used to assess the performance of the heart and lungs at rest and during exercise.
• 2 Upright Bicycles
• 1 Treadmill 
• 1 Recumbent Bicycle
• Cardiac Monitoring
• 4 Pacemaker Programmers
• Ultrasound imaging rooms: 4D Echocardiograph (3), portable ultrasound machine (1)
• Clinical physiology measurement room
• Dynamometer
• Microneurography Equipment
• Haemodynamic Monitor

• Clinical Trials Pharmacy providing 24 hour access to pharmacy staff and the aseptic suite
• ICU and HDU providing 24/7 specialist critical care outreach 
• Coronary Care Unit
• Cardiothoracic/neurosurgical theatres.
• Six Cardiac Catheter laboratories (2 with research facilities/software) for experimental medicine trials (STEMI/stem cell therapies, stenting, structural heart interventions).
• Leeds Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Service : 3 state-of-the-art 1.5T/3T MRI scanners.
• Advanced Imaging Centre (MRC National Centre for Hyperpolarised MRI): 1H/31P MR Spectroscopy, quantitative perfusion imaging, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Parametric mapping and 4-dimensional flow capabilities.
• Centre for Translational Cardiovascular Imaging (University of Leeds):  Part of the Leeds Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre (British Heart Foundation).
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals Pathology Department: Clinical Genetics (including research),Microbiology, Cellular Pathology, Blood Transfusion Services, Blood Sciences, Digital Pathology, Genetics Lab, Specialist Laboratory Medicine (SLM), Solid Malignancy Diagnostic Service (SMDS).

• What is a CRF?

• What is the role of the research nurse?

• What potential activities could I be involved with on placement?

• What have other students said about their research placement?

There is also space for you to consider your individual learning objectives prior to starting your placement.

A copy of this document can be found on the LCRF Student Placement SharePoint

• The Leeds Way values

• Orientation to Bexley CRF, e.g where to find us, shift times, what we do

• PA and PS information and expectations

• Proficiencies and skills which could be achieved at Bexley CRF

• Absence reporting details

• Introduction to the team

• Senior nurse structure in the Research and Innovation CSU

• Practice learning facilitator information

• Research academy structure and information

• Health and safety- e.g what do do in the event of a fire, crash, documentation, dress code etc

  
  

A copy of this document can be found on the LCRF Student Placement SharePoint

• Gaining an awareness of embedding clinical research into patient care pathways within the NHS 

• Understanding how to link theory to practice by recognising research terminology and processes 

• Gaining an awareness of research governance and safety in clinical trials

It also contains information on:

• Accessing and completing Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training

• Research terminology glossary

A copy of this document can be found on the LCRF Student Placement SharePoint

• Enjoy your time with us!

• Learn about how we deliver life changing clinical trials

• Understand why clinical research is so important

• Realise how you can contribute to caring for participants in clinical trials

• See how clinical research nursing is a cutting edge speciality

• Achieve your placement objectives 

• Excel in your academic development and personal growth

• Practice clinical skills

We can only achieve this through effective collaboration and teamworking. Your practice supervisors and assessors are committed to providing a diverse experience for you by providing exposure to a wide range of clinical trials and specialities.

From my first day, I have felt welcomed by everyone from the head nurse to the CTA’s and CSW’s. My learning was always at the forefront of everyone’s mind and I was offered more opportunities to meet my learning goals than I can count. The opportunity to participate in learning opportunities away from the immediate placement area has been a first and greatly appreciated. I was fortunate enough to complete the Cancer Researchers Introduction to Cancer one day training, Good Clinical Practice and begin my Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment training. This is in addition to fulfilling many of my clinical proficiencies such as completing ECGs, venepuncture and cannulation, in an area where I could learn from real experts and feel supported to keep going when I felt things weren’t going right. 

When I came into my training, I quickly established that I wanted to work in an environment where I could get to know my patients and their families and build relationships with them. I had considered ICU as the staff/ patient ratio appealed to me, however, the night shifts did not. Then I thought about working in the community but didn’t fancy lone working. I had never considered that being in a clinical research facility would offer me everything I wanted out of nursing. However, I discovered very quickly that actually the LCRF would do just that. The staff develop relationships with their patients and families and share the ups and downs of clinical research. They support patients to make decisions about their care holistically and advocate for them when necessary.  

I was given the opportunity to work with nurses across research from orthopaedics at CAH to Cancer Research UK nurses, who recruit patients into clinical trials, design and implement protocols and so much more. This allowed me to develop an understanding of the spectrum of roles available in research for nurses and how much career progression there is if you want it. 

This placement has brought me to the end of my second year of study, it has remined me why I wanted to be a nurse in the first place – which is often difficult to hold onto when all you hear about are strikes, people leaving the profession and financial strain – and given me the motivation to give my final year my all."

Feedback from a second year UoL student on a long term placement with LCRF.

With these meetings and the structured lessons with the worksheets, students may feel they can contribute a lot more and feel a lot more prepared when qualifying.

So, I was very lucky in research because the staff are dying to teach you! They had time to dedicate to you and support you. 

Feedback from a second year UoL student on a long term placement with LCRF.

Research is something I’ve always been interested in (and) it is definitely something I would consider in the future!

Shortened feedback from a student on the nursing degree apprenticeship programme.

I'd highly recommend any student to try and spend a few days with you to experience the excellent work you do. This is somewhere I could certainly see myself working in, in my future career. Thank you.

Feedback from a nursing apprentice.

There is clearly a need to provide better support for students whilst on placement and to provide access to resources that support their health and wellbeing.

There are a number of ways you can receive further support during your placement on LCRF:

• Talk to the health and wellbeing champions in the team

• Have an open and honest discussion with your mentor

• Talk to the clinical educator who is a trained mental health first aider

• Look on the intranet for Staff Health & Wellbeing Support - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (leedsth.nhs.uk)

  
  

Feedback from a second year nursing student