We were delighted to welcome colleagues, patients, and partners to the International Clinical Trials Day celebration at the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Leeds—a day dedicated to recognising the power of health research and the people who make it possible.
The event brought together a vibrant mix of researchers, patients, and healthcare professionals for a programme of talks, interactive stalls, and shared experiences—all designed to showcase the incredible research taking place across the Trust in an open, informal setting.
The day began with insightful talks from the BRC Leeds and HealthTech Research Centre Leeds teams, highlighting how cutting-edge research is improving patient care locally and beyond. This was followed by a lively Q&A session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with speakers.
A standout part of the day was the interactive stalls and patient stories, offering a powerful reminder of the real-world impact of research. Patients shared their experiences of taking part in studies, bringing to life the importance of participation in clinical trials.
Over lunch, attendees continued conversations and connections, before the afternoon sessions featured engaging discussions from the D-MAPP team and the PMR – Paradox team, who shared insights into their innovative work and ongoing projects.
As part of our wider celebrations, we were also proud to support Resident Doctors Week, continuing to spotlight research and innovation across the Trust.
Wider Celebrations
The Innovation Pop-Up hosted a drop-in session on 20 May (International Clinical Trials Day), creating an accessible space for our resident doctors to explore how innovation can be embedded into everyday practice.
Later in the week, Dr Denise Ross, Head of Healthcare Professions Academic Development, led a mini AQUIRE lunchtime session on 22 May, providing further opportunity for colleagues to engage with research, share learning, and how to get involved.
Spotlight on Innovation: Virtual Reality Rehabilitation
We also shared exciting new research led by Dr Will Bolton, exploring how virtual reality (VR) could transform rehabilitation for patients recovering from brain and spinal cord injuries.
The early-stage study, delivered in partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, investigated whether VR technology could enable patients to begin rehabilitation exercises earlier and more frequently—directly at their hospital bedside. This approach has the potential to overcome common challenges on busy wards and improve recovery outcomes.