A new campaign is being launched across the UK to say thank you to over one million people – including 66,000 Scots – who took part in covid-19-related research.

Study participants, researchers and healthcare professionals are all praised for their involvement through the #ResearchVsCovid campaign.

In the year since the virus reached Scotland research has played a crucial role in developing treatments to tackle the new threat.

Drug and vaccine trials, testing new diagnostics, clinical and observational studies have all formed part of the 120 covid studies carried out in Scotland.

Dr Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, says that since the advent of covid people all over the UK have come together to “fight back and save lives”:

“Researchers quickly set up new studies, staff throughout our NHS made research possible, and patients and the public offered their selfless support. I’m really proud of Scotland’s contribution to these remarkable achievements.

“Thanks to all those involved we have identified treatments, improved care, helped develop vaccines and ultimately saved lives.

“Whilst we still have challenges, we can begin to see a path out of the pandemic and it is important to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in, led or enabled this research over the last 12 months.”

Dr Kenny Baillie, a critical care consultant and and Senior Research Fellow at the Roslin Institute, was involved in the recent discovery of five genes associated with the most severe form of covid-19 and says the challenges of delivering research during a pandemic have been significant:

“Even at a time of great stress and uncertainty, patients have shown great altruism in agreeing to be part of the GenOMICC study.

“This has made it the largest consented research study ever in UK intensive care units and has led to important new insights about the treatment of covid-19 and critical illness.”

Respiratory consultant at NHS Tayside Dr Philip Short helped to recruit the first global patient in the Janssen vaccine study:

“We welcomed our first participants just days after opening our vaccine trial in Tayside. It is testament to the expertise and facilities we have here, but also the support we have had from the local population. We would like to thank everyone for their support.

“Covid-19 has been a huge challenge but to see research now making a positive difference is hugely rewarding and it is really important to recognise what has been achieved through commitment, resilience and ultimately working together.”

NHS boards have been heavily involved in virus research, with four recently joining a long covid study being led by two Scottish universities.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has previously issued warnings about the number of patients who will be left with long covid symptoms, meaning further research will be necessary to improve treatment.  

Professor Kev Dhaliwal, Respiratory Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian leading on community and hospital studies, said:

“We must continue to all work together to tackle the challenges that we face and crucial research will help us overcome this pandemic but also be more prepared for the next pandemic. It has been inspiring to see the amazing research response in Scotland. 

“Only through clinical studies can we develop new preventative and therapy options and we are hugely grateful for everyone’s efforts to date.

“Early intervention is crucial and in the Lothian region, we are focussing on supporting a ‘Hospital at Home’ study that will help us look after patients at home and trial a therapy before severe symptoms occur.”

Professor Kevin Blyth, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at University of Glasgow and Honorary Consultant Physician at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, said:

“We want to thank everyone who has taken part in covid-19 research within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and across the UK, including the RECOVERY trial which has led to two highly effective treatments. Every person involved has played their part in improving outcomes for patients now and in the future.

“However, we still have more to do and our research is ongoing. For example, we are currently running a new trial involving early treatment using a course of anti-viral tablets that can be taken at home, before severe symptoms develop.”

 

Anyone who has recently tested positive can register for the Hospital at Home study here: www.ed.ac.uk/inflammation-research/clinical-trials/spike-1

Anyone who has recently tested positive in the Glasgow area can find out whether they are eligible for the GETAFIX trial here: www.getafix-trial.org

 

Read more: Harnessing the pandemic innovation surge; Research into concerning covid stroke link; Thinktank: Fix health data gap to boost recovery; Insight: The long-term cost of covid

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.