Core clinical team
Core clinical team
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The NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) has a core clinical team made up of Clinical Team Leaders, Research Sisters, Research Nurses, Higher Level Clinical Support Workers and Clinical Support Workers all working together with investigators across the Trust.
The NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) has a core clinical team made up of Clinical Team Leaders, Research Sisters, Research Nurses, Higher Level Clinical Support Workers and Clinical Support Workers all working together with investigators across the Trust.
Senior Research Sisters
Our clinical team leader/senior research sisters provide leadership and management to a dedicated team of research nursing staff within the CRF and ensure that the highest possible quality of care is delivered which meet and exceed the expectations of individual patients and participants
Research Sisters
Research sisters are responsible for coordinating and managing a portfolio of clinical research projects within the CRF, and ensure that the research practice meets the requirements of all applicable legislation and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Some research sisters have line management responsibility for research nurses.
Research Nurses
Our Research Nurse teams work across both sites of the Trust and with over 20 different clinical specialities. As part of the larger research team, research nurses assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care for patients in line with research protocols and deliver research to meet recruitment targets. They are able to see patients or volunteers within the CRF or alternatively, they can visit patients in their regular clinic environment within the Trust to minimise inconvenience to patients and embed research into standard care pathways. Research nurses ensure that research safeguards are in place to protect the well-being of research subjects and that research is conducted within the regulatory framework.
Higher Level Clinical Support Workers/ Clinical Support Workers
Our Clinical Support Worker team provides cross-site cover working closely with the research nurses and interact closely with patients and visitors to the CRF. They deliver a high quality service and care to research participants and researchers within a dedicated research setting.
The Higher Level Clinical Support Workers provide phlebotomy/cannulation, ECG and laboratory support as part of research protocol and also ensure trial specimens are processed and managed, stored and dispatched in accordance with the Human Tissue Act and all study specific laboratory manuals.
Faith Kibutu
Senior Research Sister
Alex Radford
Senior Research Sister
Operational Support
Lindsey Gleadhill
Research Sister
David Foot
Research Nurse
Idia Ebuwa
Higher Level Clinical Support Worker
Faith Kibutu
Senior Research Sister/Clinical Team Leader
Every day of working in clinical research has given me a fresh, diverse and a dynamic outlook and experience. At first it felt daunting but as time goes on, I find it more interesting and enjoyable. As a Senior Research Sister, I feel greatly rewarded to be part of and support the science behind the evidence of unsolved clinical problems, with the goal of saving lives and promoting the health and wellbeing of my patients and the general public. Supporting different clinical research projects in diverse clinical specialities has enabled me to gain a wealth of knowledge and a wide range of skills, which I would otherwise not have acquired in other work settings.
I particularly love the close rapport I establish with my patients and study participants. On many occasions my patients have expressed how they look forward to attending their study visits. Seeing my patients feel empowered and enjoying participating in clinical trials not only boosts my confidence, but it also gives me great motivation and demonstrates the value of my contribution in research.
I enjoy working in research because it gives me a privilege of not only working and interacting with my research colleagues but also being part of the wider multidisciplinary team, the NHS, and the corporate world, all working towards a common goal. I particularly enjoyed working on the frontline of COVID-19 research and how in a short space of time, our global collaborative approach in research led to great results and saved so many lives. I love working in research!
Alex Radford
Senior Research Sister Operational Support
I am passionate about research and the positive impact it has on the lives of real people.
I have worked in clinical trial delivery within Sheffield since 2007, and in the CRF since 2012, initially as a research sister and then from 2014 as a senior research sister. During this time, I have had the pleasure of being involved in research that has improved the health of patients and changed how they are cared for within the NHS and worldwide.
Since 2023, I have been the CRF's Senior Research Sister Operational Support, responsible for overseeing the expanding experimental medicine (EM) portfolio, instrumental to the delivery of all our early phase research. This role sees me providing support to researchers across multiple clinical disciplines within the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield. Additionally, I work closely with other research sisters, research nurses and clinical team leaders from within the local and regional research infrastructure to ensure this portfolio of work is delivered safely and to the highest possible standards.
I am part of fantastic team and enjoy providing support to the CRF Matron and the senior management team to strengthen clinical management, operational management, and leadership in order to meet the department’s local, regional, and national priorities.
Lindsey Gleadhill
Research Sister
I started working in the Clinical Research Facility in January 2023 as a Research Sister. Prior to this role I was working within the directorate in gastroenterology research. Currently, I work in the grey team which involves working on numerous neurological research studies and I have learnt so much since I started in the role.
The training I have received to enable me to support the team has been fantastic! Due to the complexities of the research studies I am supporting, I have gained so many new competencies that I would have been unable to achieve in a ward environment.
I feel privileged to be part of a fantastic team, knowing that my contribution is making a difference to people's lives.
David Foote
Research Nurse
I enjoy working as a research nurse as it allows me to support people who are taking part in research that will positively benefit both themselves and future patients who are living with very challenging medical conditions.
Idia Ebuwa
Higher Level Clinical Support Worker
My journey into research began after working in the NHS for two years in different capacities and completing a Masters degree in Academic Research involving sociological and anthropological issues, and lived experiences.
Working in the cancer research unit at Weston Park Hospital sparked an interest in clinical research, and I decided to develop my clinical research skills such as cannulation, venepuncture & ECG recording, all of which I successfully completed and attained the required competency. I began searching for roles that would open a pathway into clinical research as I needed some level of experience in a research environment to further my career. I eventually landed my current role as a Higher Level Clinical Support Worker here at the Clinical Research Facility in May 2024.
My role involves working closely with research nurses, research participants, principal investigators and various teams across both CRF sites while providing clinical and laboratory support to deliver high quality research and improve care and treatment for patients.
I enjoy working in research particularly because of the positive impact it has on the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases to save lives. I have also gained new knowledge and skills which are vital for the preservation of research in the NHS.
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