Research at Leicester's Hospitals

15/01/2026

Did you know that the air, noise and green space around us can shape our health as much as our genes or lifestyle?

Researchers in the 's Environment theme are uncovering how factors like air pollution, traffic noise and even hospital design affect long-term health.

Discover more our Environment theme on our website https://leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk/research/environment/

08/01/2026

New research funded by the shows how physical activity affects the body differently across ethnic groups.

Using data from more than 49,000 people, the University of Leicester researchers found clear differences in blood markers linked to ethnicity and levels of physical activity.

The study highlights why physical activity advice may need to be tailored for different communities to reduce the risk of heart and metabolic disease.

Read the full story: https://leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk/cardiometabolic-disorder-risks/

Leicester Diabetes Centre

A recent Leicester study published in eBioMedicine has shed light on why people of South Asian (SA) origin may face a higher risk of cardiometabolic disorders and respond differently to physical activity compared to White European people (WE).

07/01/2026

We are uncovering the secrets to living a longer, healthier life here at the .

Our Data theme brings together information on genes, lifestyle and health from thousands of people to understand why some of us stay healthier for longer, and uncover ways we to improve care for everyone.

Find out more about Data Innovation theme’s work on our website: https://leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk/research/data-innovation-for-multiple-long-term-health-conditions-and-ethnic-health/

05/01/2026

Would you like to help shape health prediction tools so they make more sense to patients?

is recruiting 8 members of the public to join a new research project to help shape updated health prediction tools so they reflect today’s care and make more sense to patients.

What’s involved
3 meetings, January to June 2026
2 online, 1 in person (University of Leicester)
No experience needed

You will receive a thank you payment for each meeting, with travel expenses covered for the in-person session.

Get involved- https://leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/upcoming-public-involvement-opportunities/

19/12/2025

We are very excited to celebrate the Leicester's Hospitals' fantastic Neurology research team, who have achieved huge success as part of the ground-breaking CANABID-LD study. They not only launched recruitment for the study in just 46 days (well ahead of the Government's new 60-day target), but have also enrolled the project's first UK patient.

Led by the University of Plymouth, the CANABID-LD study explores how a medication called cannabidiol affects adults who have certain rare and severe epilepsy conditions, including Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex. People with these conditions often have intellectual disabilities and live with challenging behaviours. Researchers want to understand whether this medication helps reduce challenging behaviours and seizure frequency, improving the quality of life for these individuals.

This study is not a clinical trial but an observational one, which means researchers monitor and collect data from people who are scheduled to start the medication as part of their usual care.

Congratulations to the team on their combined efforts, which have a huge impact on patient care and treatments of the future!

18/12/2025

We’re excited to announce the launch of the ATTITUDES-W Patient study – a new research project that aims to better understand people’s experiences with gynaecology clinics and weight management discussions.

Your feedback is important! By sharing your thoughts, you can help improve health and wellbeing for people attending gynaecology appointments. If you've visited a gynaecology clinic in the past 5 years, we’d love to hear from you. Make a difference with us!
https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_davAnc0uqGes9JI

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

18/12/2025

Trial for norovirus in people 60+

Help to see if we can protect people 60 years of age or older against symptoms caused by the norovirus stomach bug.

Join the Nova 301 Trial. Find out more: https://connect.trialscope.com/studies/5b212b8c-0f18-4b35-9768-b677fca433c4/

17/12/2025

Do you have and use multiple insulin injections to manage your diabetes?

You might be eligible to take part in a research study into new diabetes technology!

The study aims to find out if using Smart Connected Pens with bolus dose advisor and a continuous glucose monitoring sensor can help you get better control of your blood glucose readings when compared to standard insulin pens and sensors.

By taking part in this study, you will get a better idea of your blood glucose, daily insulin dose requirement and your HbA1C may improve too.

For further information, contact the study team:
📩 T1andTechResearch@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
☎ 0116 258 8575

11/12/2025

Congratulations to Mohamed Hirsi!

Mohamed has completed a King’s Trust placement with the NIHR Leicestershire & Northamptonshire CRDC Research Administration team, based at Leicester General Hospital, and recently received his certificate.

Mohamed said:
“The work experience was amazing… I learnt what it is like to work in the NHS and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into patient care… Everyone was super polite and lovely… It was amazing shadowing my colleagues, watching them work was so surreal… I felt quite special working there.”

Well done, Mohamed, and thank you to the team for supporting him throughout his placement!

08/12/2025

Congratulations to our CRDC partner site, Pinfold Medical Practice in , for being chosen for Parexel’s Emerging Site Scholarship Program 2025/26.

This means more opportunities for local patients to access innovative treatments and for Pinfold to grow as a research leader.

Well done to the team at Pinfold!

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leicestershire-gp-joins-global-initiative-accelerate-nri1e/?trackingId=dU7eYIojPV%2BUDJBy%2Fl8LhA%3D%3D

The NIHR Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) is proud to announce that Pinfold Medical Practice, in Loughborough, has been selected for Parexel’s Emerging Site Scholarship Program for 2025/26. This global initiative supports promising research sites with ...

05/12/2025

Looking back to the summer, 113 patients who had taken part in vital cardiovascular research studies at the were invited for afternoon tea at the Secret Garden at Glenfield hospital.

The participants were thanked for their participation, and heard the latest on the studies they’d been involved in. It was also a chance to exchange ideas and reflect on the difference cardiovascular research is making to the future of patient care.

Find our more about our work:
Leicester's Hospitals

04/12/2025

We're excited to share that Dr Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Leicester's Hospitals, has received a £166,965 award from leading charity Breast Cancer Now. This funding will be used to investigate how different groups of people experience secondary breast cancer treatments.

The ground-breaking new study will explore how people with incurable secondary (or metastatic) breast cancer experience treatment side effects. It also aims to find out whether personalised drug doses could help to improve people's quality of life.

At the moment, an estimated 61,000 people are living with secondary breast cancer in the UK. Treatments for the disease can cause a wide range of side effects that may significantly impact day-to-day life. However, there is currently limited understanding of how these experiences differ, particularly among women from ethnically diverse backgrounds, as many were not included in the initial clinical trials for which these therapies have been licensed.

To find out more about this vital research into the impact of secondary breast cancer care, visit our website using the following link: https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk/news/breakthrough-study-to-transform-secondary-breast-cancer-care/.