I’m a matron in research, however before I begin, just a bit of background how I came to the role, as it wasn’t planned but it has been a great ride so far!
My background is as a dual-trained nurse, adult and paediatric. In 2009 I was working on a paediatric ward when I was asked to help with a children’s research trial at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cambridge Clinical Research Facility (NIHR Cambridge CRF), by a colleague who had recently started a new job as a paediatric research nurse.
My initial response was ‘Where is the CRF? What do they do there? I can’t do research, I’m not clever enough,’ but that all changed when I came for a visit.
My colleague Janet talked me through the research visit (it was a diabetes trial), I met the young patient and so enjoyed the atmosphere of discovery that I was immediately hooked. As soon as a job became available there, I jumped at the chance to try a new field and I’ve loved it ever since!
I’m now matron of the NIHR Cambridge CRF, which is located in the Addenbrooke’s Centre for Clinical Investigation (ACCI) here at Cambridge University Hospitals. It provides a facility for research involving children and young people, an adult outpatient area with investigation and audiology rooms, and a bespoke metabolic research area with body composition measurement facilities.
It’s also one of two linked buildings, the other being the Cambridge Clinical Research Centre (CCRC), which comprises the Interventional Procedures Unit, Early Phase Unit, Wellcome-MRC Metabolic Translational Research Facility and an adult Clinical Research Facility. All are dedicated to delivering and supporting early translational experimental medicine.
As you can see, we’re now a large department and are getting busier each year. This year has been particularly busy for the NIHR Cambridge CRF. Normally we see around 6,500 people taking part in research, but this year we have had more than 35,500 patient visits, which is great that so many people want to take part in research.
Fundamentally, my role is to ensure patients and participants are safe when they are taking part in research and that the data/results that are obtained from the study are robust and accurate.
I have oversight of all studies within the NIHR Cambridge CRF and work closely with CCRC Matrons and team leaders to ensure we continue to provide a world class service to the patients, participants, academic and industry partners. I work with the senior team of the CCRC, including two matrons, as we’re essentially one team with one management and governance structure.
I love the daily collaboration with nurses, medics, academics, Trust departments and University of Cambridge, to offer amazing opportunities for patients and healthy volunteers to be involved in research and make a difference in their own and others’ lives.