NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility

05/12/2025

🎄 Day 3 of 🎄

As we reach Day 3 of our 12 Days of UHS, we recognise how volunteers at UHS are helping create fairer, more accurate research and better healthcare for everyone.

This year we were proud to join the Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) BioResource.

Black communities are often underrepresented in health research, limiting our understanding of conditions like sickle cell, diabetes, and mental health.

The IBHO BioResource, part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research, is changing this by inviting people of Black ethnic backgrounds to join vital studies.

Whether you have a health condition or not, you can make a difference at our NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility. Join over 5,000 volunteers shaping the future of inclusive medicine.

Learn more and sign up today to help improve health outcomes for Black communities across the UK.
https://www.bioresource.nihr.ac.uk/centres-programmes/improving-black-health-outcomes-ibho-bioresource/

05/12/2025

03/12/2025

A clinical trial at University Hospital Southampton has shown a new vaccine could offer better protection against whooping cough.

26/11/2025

🗣️ Actor and comedian Stephen Fry is encouraging more people to get involved in research to help improve treatments and care for everyone.

This comes after yesterday's launch of the government's Men's Health Strategy, which outlines how we will fund and support research into areas such as mental health and prostate cancer.

We make it easy for you to take part in research through our Be Part of Research service.

Simply sign up and tell us which health conditions you’re interested in. We’ll match you to suitable studies and send you information on how to take part. 📱

Find out more at https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/join?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=launch

📷 Claudio Raschella

20/11/2025

We are delighted to be the first place in the UK to recruit a dedicated Alzheimer's Society dementia research nurse.

As part of a £3m investment, Inês Rodrigues will work closely with local hospitals, GPs, memory clinics, and community dementia services to support a diverse range of people into clinical trials so dementia treatments and care can work for everyone.

She said: “Being one of the first ever Alzheimer’s Society UK Dementia Trials Network Research Nurses in the UK is both a privilege and an opportunity to make real change happen.

“I want to ensure dementia research trials are visible and accessible across Southampton and the wider region, regardless of peoples’ background or circumstance. Dementia research has the power to offer hope, connection and progress, and I’m proud to be part of a movement that’s turning that hope into action.”

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/whats-new/press-releases/hampshire-to-expand-research-through-new-dementia-research-nurse

19/11/2025

07/11/2025

Turning purple for .

Our team is helping to raise awareness of the vital need for more into the of pancreatic cancer.

is the 10th most common cancer in the UK but the 5th most common cause of cancer death. This is because many patients are diagnosed late, when the is already at an advanced stage and treatment options are limited.

Our SAFE-D study is evaluating whether a new blood test can spot the signals of pancreatic cancer at an early stage when it is more treatable and will use blood samples from people with a recent diagnosis of type 2 – a known risk factor and potential sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Find out more about the SAFE-D study here - https://safe-d.uk/



Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK, Health Research Southampton, University of Southampton Medicine, University of Southampton

06/11/2025

“We hope this can greatly improve the lives of children with and their families,” says Professor Cathy Hill.

BBC's David Allard visited University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust this week to learn about Sleep Buddy.

Almost two-thirds of children with ADHD experience sleep problems. This can make the symptoms of ADHD worse, affecting children’s behaviour and schoolwork, and quality of life for the whole family.

Researchers at UHS, the University of Southampton and Southampton Clinical Trials Unit are leading a national trial to see if a digital support website can help them sleep better.

Watch BBC South Today to find out more 🎥

Read David's report, 'Could a website help children with ADHD sleep?' here 👉 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv85n825j9o

30/10/2025

🧠 Meet the neurodegenerative research team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust!

They are supporting studies into dementia and other neurological conditions.

Together with participants, families and researchers, they are driving innovation in diagnosis, treatment and care 👏

Recently, UHS was the first NHS site to open for recruitment for the TRONTIER 2 study. This is testing how well and how safely the drug trontinemab works for people who have early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

"As one of the country’s leading dementia trial delivery sites, we are delighted that we have been able to move rapidly to open the study," said Professor Christopher Kipps, "giving people affected by dementia the chance to take part in research that is shaping the treatments of tomorrow.”

17/10/2025

A new UK-wide clinical trial led by UHS and primary care services is testing whether the nasal flu vaccine can be offered to one-year-old children.

The FluSNIFF study is inviting families to take part at 100 GP practices and three hospitals across the country.

Flu can be serious for young children, and this needle-free vaccine – already used safely in older children – could make protection easier and more accessible.

It could mean all one-year-olds get flu protection in future winters.

If your child is aged 12 to 23 months and your GP is participating, you may be invited to join the study.

🔗 Find out more: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/whats-new/press-releases/flu-vaccine-spray-trial-launches-for-children-aged-…

10/10/2025

New protection for premature babies this winter 💙

Thank you to the many families who took part in the Harmonie study to help realise this life-changing milestone.

Baby Elowyn is a new star on BBC News 👶🌟

Premature babies are being offered new protection against RSV this winter.

BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight met Elowyn and parents, Molly and Jack, as they reported on the new jab at our Princess Anne Hospital.

The immunisation is now available following years of clinical research, including an international trial co-led by experts at UHS.

Researchers are thanking the many families that took part in the Harmonie study across the south to help realise this life-changing milestone.

Read more 🔗 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g9ned0526o

10/09/2025

We want to help inspire young people to pursue jobs in healthcare and research 🏥🌟

Aspiring medics gained valuable hands-on experience at this year’s LifeLab summer school.

The two-day course included an introduction to research by Lead Matron Lisa Berry, as well as a tour of our facility at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

The summer school is for students in years 9 to 11 interested in studying medicine at university.

Read more: https://www.southamptoncrf.nihr.ac.uk/post/summer-school-inspires-young-people-to-pursue-jobs-in-healthcare-and-research