Clinical Research Facility Open Day

St Thomas' is opening the doors to its Clinical Research Facility so that local people can find out more about the research taking place at their local hospital.

Visitors will take a tour, find out more about some of the studies taking place in the unit and meet research staff.

The Clinical Research Facilities at St Thomas' were opened in October 2008 and provide a comfortable and leading-edge research environment for studies with a particular focus on local and national health priorities.

Each year thousands of patients and healthy volunteers take part in research studies taking place at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, a major centre for NHS-funded research with its university partner, King’s College London.

Josephine Studham, Manager of the Clinical Research Facilities said: “Our aim across our hospitals is to find more effective ways to tackle major health problems ranging from obesity, heart disease and cancer to skin conditions, chronic inflammatory disorders, asthma and allergy. The willingness of patients and healthy volunteers to participate in these studies can lead to significant medical breakthroughs and the development of new treatments.”

Research in the St Thomas’ facility focuses on nutrition, obesity, cardiovascular health, clinical pharmacology, women’s health and twins research.

Another unit is opening at Guy’s Hospital in the spring, and will focus on cancer, transplantation, rheumatology, dermatology, asthma and allergy.

To book a place at the Open Day, email [email protected]

Numbers are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

This event is taking place during Healthcare Awareness Week and National Science Week and is part of a national initiative to open the doors of Clinical Research Facilities to the public.