THE research team at St Mary’s Hospital is supporting the delivery of the world’s largest trial into treatments for patients hospitalised with Covid-19.

The randomised control trial, known as Recovery, aims to compare usual care to several different treatments, including a commonly used antibiotic and plasma from those who have recovered from the virus.

To date, the research team has recruited more than 200 patients to take part. It has been a real team effort, with the trust’s dedicated research team working closely with colleagues on the wards delivering patient care.

Across the UK, more than 25,000 participants have been recruited across 176 sites.

Dr Ali Naqvi, acute physician and endocrinologist at the IW NHS Trust, who leads the trial locally, said: “We are incredibly proud of our trust’s commitment to deliver this important research trial.

“To have recruited over 100 participants on the Island is a phenomenal achievement and a tribute to the hard work of colleagues at the trust, who have been able to work at pace to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to take part and try potential treatments against this disease.

“Findings from the Recovery trial are saving lives and changing practice globally. As cases increase, we want to raise awareness of this important trial, so more patients have the opportunity to take part.”

The trial, which is running in all UK acute trusts, has already changed clinical practice, identifying the commonly used steroid dexamethasone as the first drug to improve survival rates in certain coronavirus patients.

As coronavirus cases continue to rise, research teams across the UK are encouraging colleagues to ask their Covid-19 patients about taking part in the trial to help get more answers about which treatments improve outcomes for patients.

To support the trial, talk to the trust’s research and development department or visit www.recoverytrial.net