COVID-19 – A note from the Trauma MIC team
As will likely be the case with many of you at this time, the Trauma MIC team are having to work differently due to the current situation caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. We wanted to let you know what this means for companies and partners who we work with.
We are following the latest guidance from our funder (National Institute for Health Research) and are supporting the COVID-19 response in our host organisation (University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust). The Health Research Authority has also produced guidance about new and existing studies, and an expedited process for COVID-19 related research.
The Trust has therefore suspended all non-essential research activity in order to focus on delivering research relating directly to the coronavirus, for which a specific COVID-19 research team has been created. Our team members are being redeployed where needed and/or working remotely where possible, as per UK Government guidance for social distancing. We are flagging any relevant contacts to this team to ensure research into the coronavirus is being prioritised; if you have or are developing medical devices to support trauma management (particularly for treatment of patients with coronavirus, e.g. with respiratory issues) please contact the MIC team using details at the bottom of the page. The situation does mean we do not currently have the capacity to support any new projects, grant applications or usability studies which fall outside this remit, but we will let you know when we are able to resume work as normal.
Our Clinical Director, Dr Tom Clutton-Brock is spearheading a national response to test new medical devices such as ventilators in the Medical Devices Testing and Evaluation Centre (MD-TEC). Due to the high anticipated demand of these devices in the coming weeks and months, we are proud that the facility is allowing the Trauma MIC and MD-TEC teams be at the forefront of action against COVID-19.
Please note that there may be delays in responding but we appreciate your patience and will endeavour to contact you as soon as we are able.
Contact the Trauma MIC team directly via email: TraumaMIC@uhb.nhs.uk
