Ten GOSH staff successful in first research pilot scheme

Patients seen at hospitals that carry our research have better outcomes, even if they aren't taking part in research themselves.

That's why we are delighted to announce the first successful applicants of our new Protected Research Time for Clinicians (PRTC) scheme. The pilot was created to address a long‑standing challenge: many clinicians want to take part in research but struggle to find dedicated time within their clinical roles.

The new scheme funds 1 PA of protected research time over 18 months, supporting clinicians to grow their research ideas, sharpen collaborations, strengthen patient and public involvement, and develop innovations that benefit children and families.

Our first cohort represents a wide range of specialities across the hospital — all united by a commitment to improving child health through evidence, innovation, and partnership. Their projects include:

• Stefano Giuliani: Fluorescence‑guided surgery to improve precision and early diagnosis in paediatric and neonatal conditions
• Shahin Moledina: Developing a translational research unit for paediatric pulmonary vascular disease
• James Hatcher: Building a collaborative framework to tackle antimicrobial resistance.
• Anna Sarkozy: Strengthening clinical trial readiness in ultra‑rare neuromuscular conditions
• Sandrine Lacassagne: Evaluating virtual monitoring and PIFU pathways for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Rob Henderson: Driving forward clinical trials and translational work in paediatric ocular gene therapy

In addition, the departmental pilot with Anaesthetics and Pain will include:

• Usman Ali evaluating preoperative fasting times
• Amaki Sogbodjor investigating patient data for paediatric perioperative research
• Richard Lin assessing residual gastric content volumes following MRI scans
• Helen Laycock focusing on PPIE in anaesthetic research

The quality and ambition of these projects highlight the incredible research talent across the hospital and the importance of making protected time available for clinicians who want to contribute to academic and translational work.

This first pilot has already shown the strong need — and appetite — for structured research time, and it provides a blueprint for expanding similar opportunities in future. While this round focused on medically qualified clinicians, it sits within a wider ecosystem of programmes at GOSH that also support nurses, allied health professionals, and other healthcare staff to pursue research.

By evaluating the impact of the PRTC pilot, GOSH aims to secure further investment to expand protected research time to a broader range of clinical groups. The achievements of this first cohort will help us to show what’s possible when clinicians are given structured support to innovate — and the difference it can make for children and families.