Emergency Department Collaborative Research Group

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The Emergency Department (ED) at St George’s leads and participates in a number of research projects through the work of the Collaborative Research Group. The group is part of St George’s Translational and Clinical Research Institute, a joint initiative between the Trust and St George’s, University of London.

The group is led by Professor Heather Jarman and brings together clinical staff and academics to find better care and treatments for patients and families in the ED. The research team has research fellows, nurses, and clinical staff who support the research  programme.We have been awarded around £1.6 million in grants as investigators and run over 50 clinical studies.

Research Group objectives

• To provide a strategic approach to research in the Emergency Department that aligns with the GESH / Trust Research Strategy
• To provide a forum for collaborative research with clinical and academic partners and patients / service users to undertake high quality, impactful research in emergency care
• To build critical research mass and increase external funding and collaborations
• To develop the next generation of researchers in the ED
• To provide specialty expertise and advice to researchers and students at St George’s, University of London
• To raise awareness of the importance of research amongst clinical staff
• To provide governance oversight to support research delivery in the ED

Current research group projects

The ConNur-ED study is an exploratory study that aims to identify all consultant nurses/consultant practitioners working in emergency care in the UK and to describe the nature and scope of the role.

There is national guidance that there is one of these posts in every UK ED, but it is currently not known if this is being achieved. This study aims to identify and describe the roles of consultant nurses and consultant practitioners working in EDs in the UK. The study will further find out the number of these roles, what they do day-to-day, and what difference they make in developing healthcare policy.

ISRCTN registration pending.

The EDCO-M study is a multi-centre cross-sectional survey, funded by the CO Research Trust (previously the Gas Safety Trust). Having a carbon monoxide alarm installed in homes can help with early detection of carbon monoxide and reduce
the risk of exposure. We know that not everyone has a carbon monoxide alarm in their homes and we are trying to find out if there are differences in those who have alarms compared to those that do not so we can provide tailored information on carbon monoxide alarm use to those that need it.

ISRCTN registration: 12562718 [link to webpage]

SKILL-MIX ED: implementation of the non-medical practitioner workforce into the urgent and emergency care system skill-mix in England: a mixed methods study of configurations and impact. Mary Halter (Chief Investigator), Vari Drennan (Joint lead applicant), Heather Jarman (co-investigator), and other consortium members. Funded by the NIHR Health Services and Delivery Programme [link].

FRAIL-T: the frailty in major trauma study. Heather Jarman (Chief Investigator), and other consortium members. Funded by the Burdett Trust. ISRCTN registration: 10671514

Research group roles

Research Group Lead: Professor Heather Jarman

The Research Group Lead holds the leadership position within the Collaborative Research Group. This includes leading the group’s strategy, supervision of the academic staff working on research projects, and for the day to day operation of the unit in managing and coordinating clinical trials.

EM Consultant – research link consultant: Dr Phil Moss

The EM Consultant research link is responsible for the development of new medical Principal Investigators and the planning of training for Clinical Fellows (Research).

Academic Clinical Fellows

The NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) is a clinical specialty training post in medicine that incorporates academic training. We have two academic clinical fellows who combine training as emergency medicine doctors with developing as researchers.

Clinical Fellow (Research)

Our Clinical Fellows work in for 20% of their time in a research role alongside their role as clinicians (doctors, nurses, allied health professionals) in the Emergency Department. In their research time they take an active part in a range of research related activities including developing their own projects.

Clinical study roles

Principal Investigators

The Principal Investigator (PI) is the senior nurse or doctor responsible for each research study. They work with the Clinical Research Nurses to make sure that each study is run safely and effectively.

Senior Clinical Research Nurse

The senior clinical research nurse is responsible for oversight of the studies taking place in the department. They provide leadership and management to the clinical research nursing team.

Clinical Research Nurses

Clinical Research Nurses play a vital role in the care patients taking part in research studies. Our nurses identify patients suitable to take part in studies and work with the patient’s doctor to provide information to help them decide if they want to take part. The research nurses carry out particular treatments, blood tests or collect information on what happens to a patient who is taking part in the study. We will often continue to see patients once they have been admitted to hospital to answer any questions and to ensure their safety and well-being.