Strengthening research culture through our Research Champions Programme

Research helps us to continually improve the care we provide. Making a real difference to people's lives and shaping the future of healthcare.

As a new Trust, we are strengthening our research capability. Bringing together our research teams has created greater opportunities for all. We can attract and contribute to more national research programmes.

Across the Trust, we are embedding a culture of evidence-based practice. This is important for our staff and patients. Research-active organisations have more staff engagement and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Patients and staff can take part in ambitious and innovative research projects. Patients will benefit from the latest developments, treatments and best practices in healthcare. Staff can collaborate and share with a wider network of experts.

We are building a culture of curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. Our services continue to evolve and change, meeting the needs of the communities we serve.

An example is the continued development of our Research Champions Programme.

Our Research Champions Programme:

• supports staff to learn more about research
• develops their confidence in using evidence in practice
• promotes research opportunities within teams

As part of a larger organisation, the programme reaches a broader range of professional groups. It includes roles traditionally underrepresented in research. Recent participants have included a community matron and a data scientist. This reflects the wider range of expertise and experience brought together within the Trust.

Expanding the Research Champions Programme helps:

• build research awareness across more services and locations
• support staff to engage with evidence-based practice
• create opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.

Patient awareness of research opportunities increases as our Research Champion network grows. It helps more people take part in studies relevant to their needs.

The programme is also attracting interest from other organisations. This raises the profile of our Trust as a leader in community health research.

Looking ahead, there are opportunities to share our approach more widely. By collaborating with other providers, we can strengthen research culture across the NHS.

Alongside this, bringing services together is beginning to support research delivery itself. It has enabled us to consider study feasibility, capacity and participation across a larger organisation. Over time, this creates more opportunities to contribute to research that improves care and outcomes for the communities we serve.