Rheumatology Research 4 West Kennedy

Trials Unit

Amy Fox, Research Sister: Winter 2009

4 West Kennedy Clinical Trials Unit, led by Professor Peter Taylor, is based within Charing Cross Hospital, which is part of the Imperial College NHS Trust. A new and spacious unit, it provides patients with a relaxed, friendly and informative atmosphere.

4 West is comprised of a dynamic team of specialist Nurses and Doctors who are dedicated to providing excellent patient care whilst being part of some very exciting and innovative research projects. We currently have a number of studies running for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis with all participation being completely voluntary.

We pride ourselves on making the research experience for patients pleasant and enjoyable and have had some wonderful feedback from our patients that have completed recent studies. Not only do patients feel happy that they have contributed to the future of Rheumatology treatment but they also enjoy the time spent with specialist Nurses and Doctors who are only too happy to provide information about current research projects that they are undertaking.

Our research studies on 4 West range from trialling potential new treatment options, biopsies of joints, to the use of novel imaging techniques, such as ultrasound for early diagnosis and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The length of studies vary, from a single visit to those that last weeks or months. Most studies involve tasks such as completion of questionnaires, joint assessments and blood tests. The majority of our patient’s find all of this extremely interesting and in medication trials patient’s lives have been changed for the better with a huge increase in their quality of life.

If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis, are based in the London area and you would like to know more, or are interested in participating in the research at Charing Cross Hospital, please ask your Rheumatologist or Nurse Specialist for a referral.

Rheumatology patient’s experience on 4 West Kennedy Trials Unit

By Samantha Wilson

I remember my first day at the Kennedy Research Unit well, I'd had to call my parents that morning to help me out the bath and get me dressed. For a 25 year old former tennis player and personal trainer I was in a pretty sorry state. On arrival at the hospital the receptionist offered me a wheelchair, so that probably says it all!

Once in the research unit any apprehension soon disappeared as the friendliest team of nurses looked after me and told me about the trial I had agreed to take part in. Having suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for 10 years I'd tried my fair share or pills and potions. The prospect of being given an Anti-TNF drug, something I would not normally have access to, was the biggest glimmer of hope I'd had in a long time.

As part of the trial I had to visit the unit on a two weekly, then monthly basis for blood tests and an ultrasound, all of which were painless. I also had to have two keyhole surgeries in which the doctors removed some knee tissue for analysis. This was definitely the scariest part of the trial for me, however the procedure was surprisingly quick and simple. After a day of sympathy and watching movies, I was back on my feet again and didn't experience any pain. By this point the new drugs had taken effect and I was feeling better than I had in years. I no longer hobbled around, had to get help dressing or take painkillers during the night. I was feeling like any other 25 year old!

A year on from starting the trial those around me can barely believe that I am the same person. I am working again as a personal trainer, out on my bike at weekends and wake up in the morning without dreading that first painful step. To say that being on the trial has given my life back would be a complete understatement. Thanks again to the amazing doctors and nurses at the research unit; I'm forever indebted to you all.

To contact the Kennedy Clinical Trials Unit, please call 020 83830287.
Alternatively, you can email:
c.mcclinton@imperial.ac.uk
a.fox@imperial.ac.uk
l.milligan@imperial.ac.uk
k.dolan@imperial.ac.uk