[A] high profile research and development lead has joined Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) to add further experience and progress the Research and Development team.
UHMBT is committed to improving performance in the approval and conduct of research. Working alongside partners at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, new recruit, Margaret Cooper will lead the research and development team. Work will improve the profile of clinical trials and quality of care and experience of patients participating across the North West.
A highly trained and experienced nurse within her field, Margaret began her nursing career on the cardiac surgery and high dependency unit at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in 1984. Later Margaret specialised in cardiology research and progressed into research and development management.
Before joining UHMBT, in April 2017, Margaret spent many years within various NHS roles all relating to research and development, including establishing the new Clinical Research Network across Cumbria and Lancashire, working nationally with the Department of Health. Her most recent role was as the Associate Director of Research and Development at the University Hospitals of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust where she supported the Biomedical Research Centre Award.
Margaret said: “UHMBT is a research focused organisation, and I’m thrilled to have joined the team. We have are around 100 active clinical trials and my mission is to encourage staff to approach patients about the possibility of participating in one. Also I would like patients to ask staff about any clinical trials that may be beneficial to them. After all todays research is tomorrow’s patient care.”
“I’m particularly intrigued by the work to enhance patient care at the Trust over the last few years, and I’m looking forward to being involved with Bay Health and Care Partners, enhancing medicine available for patients in the future.
“I’ve lived on the beautiful Fylde cost for over 40 years and love spending time with my family, having six children means find spare time can be difficult but, I enjoy swimming and gardening when I can. I’m chair of the Fylde Sharks Disability Swimming Group.”
David Walker, Director of Medicine, UHMBT said: “I’m so pleased that Margaret will lead the research and development team at UHMBT. She will help us to improve the medical options of the future research experience and we offer to patients, we are sure that Margaret will be a fantastic asset to the clinical teams across the Trust and the health and care economy.”
There are lots of career opportunities on offer at UHMBT. For latest vacancies and further information on how you can make UHMBT #BetterWithYou, visit http://jobs.uhmb.nhs.uk/select_sector or for more information on the clinical trials available visit https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/about-us/clinical-trials-performance/
