Hospital caring for Horsham and Crawley patients takes part in Covid-19 drug trials

The hospital, run by the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, has recruited its 100th patient for research development with a trial known as RECOVERY - the randomised evaluation of Covid-19 therapy - a study which is testing several different drug treatments.

The study is led by the University of Oxford and East Surrey Hospital is one of 160 hospitals taking part.

A spokesman said: “As there are no current treatments of proven value against Covid-19, the research and development team based at East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, are determined to help improve understanding of the disease and find the best treatments.”

Patients being cared for with coronavirus are offered the choice to take part in the RECOVERY Trial, and those who accept are either given the usual care or some additional treatments.

These include existing therapies such as steroids, antibiotics, HIV medication, antivirals and antimalarial agents. They have been recommended for testing by the expert panel that advise Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England.

Dr Elspeth Potton, the principle investigator leading on the study at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, said: “I wanted our team to take on the trial as we are caring for patients with Covid-19.

“Prior to this trial we were preventing spread and acquisition of infection. We can now participate in a national clinical trial which will answer important clinical questions about potential treatments and push forward treatment options for future patients.

“Participating has been so rewarding and demonstrates the amazing team spirit of colleagues at SASH.”

A patient who received treatment at East Surrey Hospital for coronavirus and took part in the RECOVERY Trial said: “I don’t like hospitals but everybody was totally amazing. Everybody was lovely at such a very scary time. I would have liked to hug everybody.

“I hope that by participating in the RECOVERY Trial I will help other people as well as myself.”

Healthcare trust chief executive Michael Wilson said: “Robust research will be crucial in our efforts to address coronavirus so we are very pleased to be working with partners across the country to be at the forefront of improving our understanding of the disease.

“We are particularly grateful to all those who have chosen to take part.”

As well as the RECOVERY Trial, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust are participating in a number of other research studies involving data collection and a study on deaths from infectious diseases.

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