A partnership involving The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has been shortlisted for a prestigious healthcare award.

LHP SPARK Response to COVID – an initiative by Liverpool Health Partners (LHP) – is a finalist in the Best Healthcare Provider Partnership with the NHS at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2022.

LHP SPARK is the Single Point of Access to Research and Knowledge, a joint research service which brings together LHP’s NHS and universities research support functions to deliver world-class health research. It is a single point of access for investigators and research teams.

In March 2020, LHP SPARK pivoted to tackle COVID, stewarding the research workforce across the eight NHS organisations, including Clatterbridge, with NIHR CRN North West Coast, developing efficient and streamlined single processes, reporting and shared strategic decision making.

This LHP SPARK Response to COVID allowed for the efficient set-up and rapid recruitment to NIHR Urgent Public Health (UPH) studies, COVID vaccine studies and local strategic research.

Standing out among tough competition from hundreds of other exemplary applicants, the project was selected based on its ambition, visionary spirit and the demonstrable positive impact it has had on patient and staff experiences.

Clatterbridge is an integral part of Liverpool Health Partners and the Research and Innovation Directorate has played an important role in helping to progress the LHP SPARK Response to COVID initiative. As part of the project, Clatterbridge:

  • provided business intelligence infrastructure and real time reporting for cross-Trust working across Liverpool City Region
  • initiated a weekly R&I COVID-response meeting ensuring non-COVID related trials we set up and patients continued on trials in line with Trust and national guidance.
  • supported 15 COVID-related research trials and studies to date
  • recruited more than 500 people to COVID research trials
  • submitted more than 2,400 cases to retrospective COVID research analysis and PHE studies
  • acted as Sponsor for six clinician-led studies, including surgical, translational, psychological and national datasets

During recovery from the first wave of COVID-19, Clatterbridge also:

  • successfully implemented the Trust recovery plan
  • ensured 85% of clinical trials were unpaused by November 2020
  • re-opened 100% of trials by April 2021
  • Opened 46 new trials during 2020-2021

Dr Maria Maguire, Clatterbridge’s Head of Research Governance and Sponsorship, said: “It is fantastic news that the LHP SPARK Response to COVID has been shortlisted for this award.

“Collaboration has been key to the UK’s response to the pandemic and this project has exemplified how NHS organisations, academic partners and other research groups can come together to tackle the huge challenges COVID-19 has posed.”

Dr Rachel Joynes, LHP Director of Research, Infrastructure and Education said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for Best Healthcare Provider Partnership with the NHS, recognising the collaborative efforts and dedication of LHP partners over the last two years to successfully implement the response to COVID.

“We are committed to delivering research and innovation that results in improved outcomes for patients, and to be chosen among the other incredible nominees is a wonderful achievement.

“We are delighted to support our members’ efforts in world class research, and this is a tremendous boost for all of the Liverpool Health Partners.”

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on March 24th.