The team of 35 medical and research staff at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has successfully contributed to the Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) study, the world’s largest clinical trial for COVID-19 treatments, and has recently recruited their 200th participant – an amazing achievement.
The RECOVERY trial was launched rapidly in the UK in March 2020 to investigate whether any existing treatments were effective against COVID-19. It is open to all patients admitted to NHS hospitals with COVID-19. The trial has already delivered results that have changed clinical care, including the findings that the inexpensive steroid, dexamethasone, and the anti-inflammatory treatment, tocilizumab, significantly reduce the risk of death when given to hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19.
By giving their time to collect vital data, the team has contributed to providing clear results on the effectiveness of six different treatments.
Dr Dina Mansour, principal investigator, says: “Thank you so much to all colleagues and patients taking part in this worldwide effort to find more effective treatments for COVID-19 through the RECOVERY trial. We at the QE are proud to have contributed to its success.”
Research and development director, Dr Salman Razvi, also passes on his thanks: “Everyone involved in this team effort should justifiably be proud of themselves and their endeavours. Research never stops!”
The 200th patient is junior doctor Oscar Mahoney (right), and two of the research team, Dr. Maria Bokhari (left) and Wendy McCormack (centre) – very well done!
Thank you to everyone who has taken part – if you are interested in participating in COVID research, please contact Yvonne Marriott, Research Facilitator R&D, at [email protected].