← Back to Research

We know that research active hospitals have better outcomes and lower mortality rates.  We have a growing portfolio of Clinical Research, recruiting over 4,500 patients over the last 3 years across our hospital group.  Our doctors, nurses and health professionals are involved in a wide portfolio of research to develop new diagnostics, drugs and treatments which will directly impact on our patients. 

 

Over the last year, we have supported the UK’s COVID-19 studies to help understand potential treatments and vaccines.  We are a top 10 recruiter for the world’s largest clinical study- RECOVERY. 

 

 

 

Academic Strategy

Our Academic Strategy details how the medical and research departments at both hospitals will be strengthened and coordinated by integrating research, innovation and education into multi-disciplinary training and education to deliver quality improvement in all domains. Together, we will develop hospitals delivering centres of excellence for clinical care and achieve international recognition as an academic centre that promotes and delivers better health service provision and health outcomes to our patients. This strategy describes the key objectives to achieve University Hospital status. This strategy sets out how we will:

• Attract, retain and develop the country’s top talent. Putting our staff and patients at the heart of its development by improving the training and development we offer.
  
  
• Enable us to work more effectively with our health and care partners to collectively improve access, quality and consistency across local patient pathways and services.
  
  
• Establish robust estates and digital infrastructure to support innovative clinical education and research.
  
  
• Foster a culture of inclusivity and learning, with strong leadership championing the strategy.
  
  
• Increase number of patients included in clinical trials and success of funding from research networks, grant giving bodies and commercial sources.

 

 

 

University Partnerships

The University of Leicester and University of Northampton are committed to enhancing the partnership between academia and the NHS in Northamptonshire.  A strong synergy between our organisations is the key to success, with major contributions made by consultant colleagues to the academic mission through research, teaching and education, clinical leadership, enterprise and innovation recognised by the award of a range of honorary titles from Honorary Fellow through to Honorary Professor.

 

 

 

Focus on Clinical Trial - Remote Patient Monitoring

Virtual wards could allow NHS Trusts to offer safe and effective care from home, thanks to the use of the very latest medical technology that can send patient’s health data (such as their vital signs and symptoms) to their care team.

The use of virtual wards, aka remote patient monitoring (RPM), aims to deliver improved patient care outside of traditional hospital settings. It will play a key role in the NHS’s plans for digitally-enabled care, where technology can open up new possibilities for prevention, care and treatment.

At Northampton General Hospital, we are investigating whether using RPM could help the NHS deliver a better service for patients.

 

 

What will happen in the study?

The study team will ask selected patients to use small health monitoring devices for a short period of time after they leave hospital.

Currently, study participants are being asked to wear the VitalPatch® (image left) for 7 days. The VitalPatch® is a sticky patch that goes on the participants’ chest and collects information about their heart rate and rhythm, temperature, whether the participant has fallen and how fast they are breathing. It then sends this information to a secure database, where it will be stored and analysed at the end of the study. This means that participants are not being monitored in real-time.

After the 7 day monitoring period study participants will be asked about their monitoring experience.

 

 

Who is organising and funding the study?

The study has been commissioned and funded by NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who are an NHS organisation that buy health services for people living across Corby, Daventry, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, Northampton, South Northamptonshire and Wellingborough. The study is being organised and carried out on behalf of Nene CCG by a study team from Northampton General Hospital and health technology company, Doccla.

 

 

How can I get involved?

We are looking for patients with a variety of conditions (including Heart Failure, COPD, Asthma, Kidney Disease etc.), who are in hospital (as an inpatient or outpatient) or those who have recently been discharged from hospital. Patients must be 18 years or over and must be able to follow instructions written in English and provide informed consent.

If you are interested in taking part in the study or would like more information, contact the study team at Northampton General Hospital on 01604 545941 to talk to a member of our study team or email support@doccla.com.