Research and Covid-19

At the start of the pandemic, researchers and medics all around the world came together with a clear focus to improve treatment for Covid-19 and to find a vaccine. North Mid was quick to join global efforts to find new treatments for the disease and became a site for national and international research projects.

This research played a crucial role in furthering the understanding of the disease and led to the early identification and approval of treatments, saving thousands of lives.

Privacy notice for Covid-19 research study

• CCP-UK Patient Data Notification [pdf] 109KB

Findings from some of the studies North Mid patients have participated in from April 2020 to March 2021, include:

RECOVERY

RECOVERY is the world’s largest clinical trial investigating Covid-19 and is led by Oxford University. The North Mid was in the top 40 contributors nationally, with 302 participants.

It has provided authoritative evidence on what treatments do and do not work.

SIREN

SIREN gave new insight into how human immune systems respond to Covid-19. This study, involving healthcare professional participants from all around the UK, showed that past Covid-19 infection provides a high level of immunity to reinfection for at least five months. North Mid has 702 members of staff enrolled on the study, the seventh highest enrolment rate out of all 318 healthcare providers participating in the study.

REMAP-CAP

REMAP-CAP found that two drugs routinely used to treat arthritis – tocilizumab and sarilumab – can significantly improve the chance of survival for critically ill Covid-19 patients. The anti-inflammatory medications, given via a drip, were shown to save an extra life for every 12 patients treated. As well as saving more lives, the  treatments were shown to speed up patients’ recovery and reduce the length of time patients need to spend in intensive care by about a week. The North Mid enrolled 124 patients onto the study, the fourth highest recruiter out of 209 participating healthcare providers.

GenIMICC

GenOMICC gave insight into how genes affect the body’s ability to fight Covid-19. The North Mid enrolled 231 patients onto this study. It found key differences in five genes of intensive care patients compared with samples provided by healthy volunteers. The genes partially explain why some people become desperately sick with Covid-19, while others remain asymptomatic.

Other research studies we have participated in include: 

• ISARIC – a research study looking at the presentation, symptoms, treatment and outcomes of patients with Covid-19. We have enrolled 1,364 patients onto the study as at 31 March 2021. 
• UKOSS – a research study on pregnancy and Covid-19. We have reported on 119 cases as at 31 March 2021.
• PANCOVID – a research study on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in Covid-19. We have reported on 23 cases as at 31 March 2021. 
• Neonatal Complications of Coronavirus Disease – a study on neonatal care and Covid-19. We have reported on 16 cases as at 31 March 2021.