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A national Public Health England (PHE) study which will contribute to the active health surveillance and knowledge of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in NHS workers has now opened at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Exclusive to healthcare workers, the SIREN study aims to further understand and establish whether prior infection of coronavirus protects against future infections. Participants who volunteer to take part in the study will be required to have a coronavirus swab and blood test every two weeks for up to 12 months to determine whether the presence of antibodies can generate immunity against future coronavirus infection.

As part of the study, PHE will also be trying to improve their understanding of other important areas when it comes to coronavirus including how antibody levels change over time, how quickly the virus spreads over the coming months and whether there are differences related to age, ethnicity and other factors.

Now open and taking place at a number of NHS organisations across the UK, Sarah Bennett, Clinical Trials Assistant, was the first member of staff at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to be officially recruited and signed up to the SIREN study.

As part of Sarah’s role as a Clinical Trials Assistant she looks after all the data for gynaecological and some breast clinical trials taking place here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, ensuring our research nurses have all the information they need that has been requested from the trial sponsors. Now, she’s on the other side of research…

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Discussing her involvement in the study Sarah said: “I think it’s really exciting to be able to take part in something so important on this type of scale. I feel so proud to be part of what could potentially have a huge impact for research into coronavirus across the UK. We can’t all be superheroes like our fantastic clinical colleagues who have been on the frontline helping care for those with the virus, but it’s nice to know I’m helping to contribute in some way.

“Whilst we know an awful lot more about the virus than we did earlier on in the year we still don’t know enough, so if I can help others find out more about it that can only be a good thing.”

Sarah is also a carer for her father who is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer so it’s more than just taking part in research, it’s helping keep him safe.

“For me, on a personal level, it seems like a no brainer to take part in the study. Getting swabbed for coronavirus and having a blood test every two weeks seems like a good safety net to ensure I keep my dad safe whilst also helping for the greater good.”

Since the SIREN study opened at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre at the start of August more than 80 members of staff have registered their interest with just under 50 fully consented and signed up.

To keep updated with The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s involvement within the SIREN study, follow @CCCNHS on Twitter.