Publish date: 17 October 2025
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recently welcomed Professor Ruth Endacott CBE, NIHR Director of Nursing and Midwifery, to Leighton Hospital in October.
During her visit, Professor Endacott toured the hospital’s Critical Care Unit and met with staff, including some of the Trust’s research champions, to discuss the vital role research plays in improving patient care. She also visited the Trust’s Clinical Research Unit and spoke with staff and Executive Directors about the Trust’s ongoing research initiatives.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals has been working to embed research into everyday clinical practice. Earlier this year, the Trust launched a network of research champions—staff who act as advocates for research within their teams. The Trust has now recruited 50 champions, who help raise awareness of studies patients may be eligible to join.
The Trust has also installed research information boards across its sites, including a recent board near the Critical Care Unit at Leighton Hospital, providing patients, relatives, and staff with details about current studies, contact information for the research team, and information about the hospital’s ‘research active’ approach.
Claire Gabriel, NIHR Senior Research Leader for Nursing and Midwifery at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said: “Our champions are helping to create a culture where research is part of everyday care. These dedicated colleagues and our information boards make it easier for patients to get involved and understand how important research is for the NHS.”
Professor Endacott’s visit highlighted the importance of research in nursing, midwifery and AHP's, and the Trust’s commitment to enabling a research-rich environment that benefits both staff and patients. "I was inspired to see the breadth and depth of research activity at the Trust, and the clear vision for the future. For me this was a day filled with great conversations about research and the value of having a NIHR Senior Research Leader for Nursing & Midwifery (SRL) in the organisation was clear to see." added Professor Ruth Endacott CBE.
Dr Clare Hammell, Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Professor Ruth Endacott CBE for taking the time to meet with our staff and learn about the wide variety of research projects at Mid Cheshire Hospitals.
“Colleagues across the organisation were proud to highlight our role in pushing forwards the next innovative clinical advances, and how this is making a real difference to patient outcomes.”
For more information about research opportunities at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, visit mcht.nhs.uk/research.
