The Trust has now successfully recruited 100 participants to the ‘POP-I’ (Perioperative Iron and EPO Intervention) study. While Sunderland holds the honour of being the first site to reach 100 participants, The QEH’s recruitment pace is unmatched, marking them as the fastest team in the country to reach this milestone.
This success builds on earlier progress: within just over a month of opening, the team had already enrolled 15 participants, significantly outperforming the national average of around three participants per month. Their continued momentum has firmly positioned the Trust as a leader in this important area of research.
The POP-I trial, coordinated by the University of Nottingham, investigates the effects of intravenous iron, EPO or normal care on older patients with hip fractures and anaemia. Its aim is to improve recovery outcomes in a particularly vulnerable patient group – those aged 60 and over recovering from major emergency surgery.
Professor Ian Moppet, Chief Investigator for the trial, praised the team’s commitment, stating: “Thank you so much for the work you must have done to achieve that. The speed and success of this recruitment is a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of the clinical, research, and pharmacy teams at the Trust.”
The team’s outstanding recruitment performance is the result of close collaboration between clinical staff, research nurses, and the pharmacy department. Their shared commitment ensures that patients at The QEH not only benefit from cutting-edge treatment but also contribute to life-changing research that could redefine care for elderly patients nationwide.
Dr Pradip Sarda, Consultant in Care of the Elderly and Principal Investigator for the trial at The QEH, said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of this vital research and to contribute so significantly to this national study. The results from this trial could have a major impact on the way we treat older patients with hip fractures and anaemia, and we are thrilled to see our patients benefiting from this cutting-edge treatment.”
Tom Dymond, Lead for Research, Innovation & Development said: “I would like to thank all of the participants who have volunteered to help progress this important research study. The QEH aims to offer research that is important to the local community, and recovery from hip fractures is a significant issue for patients. I would also like to mention my thanks to the staff on Elm Ward for their on-going support and enthusiasm for embedding research into the care they deliver.”
This achievement is part of a wider drive at The QEH to expand research capacity, and the Trust is committed to increasing access to impactful clinical trials for its patient population. It follows other major research successes, including Dr Rudolf Duehmke’s leadership in the BalanceD-HF cardiology study, where The QEH is the UK’s lead recruiter among 15 sites – further demonstrating the Trust’s strength in delivering complex clinical research.
These collective accomplishments are helping to build a strong foundation for future growth, innovation, and patient impact. Research and innovation remain key priorities in the Trust’s strategic development, and the success of studies like POP-I strengthens QEH’s role as a centre of research excellence for the region.
Ends. Notes to editors; For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216. For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
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