NIHR Blackpool CRDC

24/04/2026

🔬 Interested in a research career?

The NIHR INSIGHT Programme supports students and early-career health, social care & public health professionals to take their first steps into research 🚀

✅ Fully funded research Master’s opportunities
✅ Develop skills to deliver & lead research
✅ Open to non-medical professionals
🗓 Deadline: 7 May 2026
👉 Find out more & apply:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/research-career-funding-programmes/supporting-career-development/insight-programme [nihr.ac.uk], [arc-wm.nihr.ac.uk]

The INSIGHT Programme empowers students in healthcare and social work to pursue research careers with funding for masters and engagement activities.

21/04/2026

This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on how research can help protect future generations.

Studies like COLO‑PREVENT are helping researchers understand how we might stop bowel cancer developing – not just treat it.
https://www.coloprevent.co.uk/

If you’d like to learn more about research opportunities or how studies are delivered at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 bfwh.randd.office@nhs.net

Our trial focuses on looking at whether taking aspirin, or aspirin combined with metformin is better at preventing bowel polyps.

15/04/2026

Calling all Research Champions at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Please join us tomorrow at 12.00 - 13.30 for a yearly celebration event, celebrating all achievements from the last year. Food and drinks will be available.

Hosted by the Research and Development team in the Research and Development Seminar room (opposite Ward 8 ).

Please scan the QR code or fill in the below form to RSVP:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO4x1Nng35-udLhU5OpvjY54VUMDhOQ1Q3NE04QTJZQ1Q4MFEyWTY4Vk8yMi4u

15/04/2026

🔬📊 The BIG Evidence Fortnight | Blackpool

🚀 Build confidence in research. Use evidence to make better decisions. Improve lives in Blackpool.

Blackpool Researching Together is hosting The BIG Evidence Fortnight – two weeks of expert‑led sessions exploring how research and evidence can be used in everyday work to create real impact for our communities.

📅 20 April – 1 May
👥 Open to anyone working to improve outcomes in Blackpool
💻 In‑person & online sessions available
✨ From lived experience and community voice, to policy, public health and inequalities – there’s something for everyone.

👉 View the full programme and book your place:

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Creating-a-better-Blackpool/Regeneration/Blackpool-Researching-Together/The-Big-Evidence-Fortnight.aspx
[blackpool.gov.uk]

The Big Evidence Fortnight Booking Information Page

13/04/2026

Calling all Research Champions at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Please join us on Thursday 16/04/2026 at 12.00 - 13.30 for a yearly celebration event, celebrating all achievements from the last year. Food and drinks will be available.

Hosted by the Research and Development team in the Research and Development Seminar room (opposite Ward 8 ).

Please scan the QR code or fill in the below form to RSPV:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO4x1Nng35-udLhU5OpvjY54VUMDhOQ1Q3NE04QTJZQ1Q4MFEyWTY4Vk8yMi4u

13/04/2026

📢 Applications are now open!

The NIHR Health and Care Professional HCP Internship Programme 2026/2027 (Cohort 2) is a fantastic opportunity for health and care professionals interested in building research experience.

Find out more and apply here 👇

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the second cohort of the NIHR Health & Care Professional (HCP) Internship Programme 2026/2027 across the North West of England.

10/04/2026

🎉 Site of the Month Achievement – INTACT‑2 🎉

We’re incredibly proud to share that Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been named INTACT‑2 Site of the Month after successfully randomising our 20th participant on 23 March 2026 — a fantastic milestone for our Critical Care and the Research and Development team. 👏

INTACT‑2 (INtravenous Iron and eryThropoietin to treat Anaemia following CriTical care‑2) is a national, NIHR‑funded clinical trial looking at better ways to treat anaemia in patients recovering from intensive care. Many patients leave ICU feeling tired, weak and slow to recover — often due to low red blood cell levels.

The study is exploring whether a combination of intravenous iron and erythropoietin can:

> Improve energy levels and physical recovery
> Support patients to regain independence sooner
> Enhance quality of life after critical illness

By taking part in INTACT‑2, patients at Blackpool are helping shape evidence that could improve recovery and long‑term outcomes for future ICU survivors across the NHS.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in screening, consenting, delivering, and supporting this study — your dedication ensures our patients continue to benefit from world‑class research, close to home. 💙

🔗 Find out more about INTACT‑2:
https://usher.ed.ac.uk/edinburgh-clinical-trials/intact2

09/04/2026

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 💙

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK — but when diagnosed early, 9 in 10 people survive.

Knowing the symptoms and taking part in screening can save lives.

👉 Learn the signs. 👉 Complete your screening test. 👉 Talk to someone if something doesn’t feel right.

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/support-us/bowel-cancer-awareness-month/

30/03/2026

🎉 Research Champion Giveaway Winner! 🐣🥚
A huge congratulations to Oreoluwa Osisanya, Research Champion from Ward 5, who has won our Monday Easter Egg Research Champion Giveaway! 🎊

Thank you, Oreoluwa, for the fantastic support you give to research and for being a brilliant Research Champion. Your enthusiasm and commitment really make a difference to patients, staff, and studies across the Trust. 💙

Enjoy your Easter treat – and thanks again for all that you do! Our team will drop your egg shortly🐰🍫

26/03/2026

As part of the ROSSINI 2 Study, an Easter word scramble competition was run for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals R&D staff.
A huge congratulations to Shamina Hankinson, R&D Administrator, our top recruiter and competition winner—enjoy the chocolates! 🍫👏

23/03/2026

✨ Join Us for Our Annual Research Champions Celebration! ✨
We’re excited to invite all Research Champions to our yearly celebration event — a chance to come together, reflect on everything achieved throughout FY 25/26, and look ahead to what’s next.

📅 Date: Thursday 16 April 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 – 13:30
📍 Location: Clinical Research Centre (Opposite Ward 8)– Seminar Room

Enjoy an informal afternoon with:
🥪 Food & drinks
🏆 Highlights and achievements from the year
🧠 Updates, plans, and activities across specialties
🎉 A chance to celebrate you — our incredible Champions

Click here to RSPV: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO4x1Nng35-udLhU5OpvjY54VUMDhOQ1Q3NE04QTJZQ1Q4MFEyWTY4Vk8yMi4u

We can’t wait to see you there and recognise everything you’ve contributed to research at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals 💙

16/03/2026

🎉 Research Achievement at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust!

We’re proud to announce that Blackpool Teaching Hospitals has successfully enrolled its first participant into the INTACT‑2 study — an important national trial exploring new ways to support recovery for patients who develop anaemia following critical or intensive care treatment.

INTACT‑2 (INtravenous Iron and eryThropoietin to treat Anaemia following CriTical care‑2) is a multi‑centre, randomised, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled clinical trial investigating whether a combination of IV iron and erythropoietin can help improve oxygen‑carrying capacity, reduce fatigue, and support a faster, stronger recovery for people leaving Critical Care.

This is a fantastic milestone for our Critical Care and our Research team, demonstrating our continued commitment to offering patients access to cutting‑edge studies that aim to improve outcomes during some of the most challenging periods of their health journey.

A huge well done to everyone involved — from screening to consent to delivery. Your teamwork ensures our patients benefit from world‑class research right here in Blackpool.