Of NHS staff who have been force behind Covid research

incredibly difficult to see how poorly patients were and how many there were too.

“The patients were coming in thick and fast, but they were coming in alone, without relatives, and that’s also been really hard to see. You can’t imagine what it must be like for patients to be coming in without having their loved ones with them.”

Because of rules around visiting, the team has put a lot of focus into talking through with relatives as well as patients the different types of research and trials and what it entails.

MICHELLE BOURNE

Michelle, a senior respiratory research nurse, said: “There was very little that we could offer patients in the beginning, so to be able to offer the opportunity to take part in research or trials was something that they wanted to do.

“We had some patients who came in having done their research and wanting to be part of trials and others who felt that they needed more support.

“Our teams have been very involved in families to help with that side of things.”

AMANDA CHARALAMBOU Respiratory research physiotherapist Amanda said: “Because Covid was unknown, because there are still things we don’t know, and because of the impact, people really wanted to do something that might not just help them but others as well.

“To sign up at a time that must be so frightening for them, all credit goes to them – without the patients there’d be no trials.”

MARY HARRISON

Mary is a researcher at Leicester

OUR HEROES: Michelle Craner and Rebecca Boyles; Mary Harrison, right, and Amanda Charalambou, below

Diabetes Centre, and was redeployed to work in ICU at Glenfield when the pandemic hit.

She’s one of many ICU nurses who have played a vital role in supporting research teams to deliver studies by identifying suitable patients, taking samples and observing patients for early signs of adverse reactions.

Mary has also worked on vaccine trials.

“Having seen the devastating consequences this virus has for people on ICU, it feels extremely satisfying to spend time working on the vaccine trial.

“Trials like this will save lives and help us all to be together again soon,” she said.

ANTONELLA GHEZZI

Antonella, head of research nursing and midwifery at Leicester’s Hospitals, is full of praise.

She said: “Our staff have been the driving force behind Covid research success and made a significant difference to patient outcomes over the past year.

“I want to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so proud, this has all shown that research saves lives.”