NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Sheffield

As part of the NIHR’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the NIHR Gamechangers series shines a spotlight on the people, programmes and partnerships that have transformed health and care research over the past two decades. One of the NIHR’s most enduring legacies has been its commitment to building research capacity and capability, creating opportunities for individuals and teams to develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to lead the discoveries of tomorrow.

This article explores how investment in capacity building has helped strengthen the research workforce, support career development, and foster a culture of innovation across the NHS, academia and beyond. Through the experiences of those involved, it demonstrates how developing people has been just as important as developing research, ensuring that the benefits of health and care research continue to grow for patients, communities and the wider health system.

Building research capacity: empowering healthcare professionals to shape the future of patient care

For many years, opportunities for healthcare professionals outside of medicine and dentistry to become actively involved in research have been limited. While nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and other healthcare staff play a critical role in delivering patient care, fewer opportunities have existed for them to engage with, support or lead research alongside their clinical responsibilities.

To help address this, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH) established the Nurse, Midwifery, Allied Health Professional (NMAHP) and Health Professionals Research Internship Programme. Supported in part by funding from the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Sheffield, the programme is helping to build research capacity across the organisation by equipping healthcare professionals with the skills, knowledge and confidence to undertake meaningful research that improves patient care.

The first NIHR CRF: Sheffield funded cohort began their internships in 2022 and celebrated graduation in September 2023. Since then, the programme has continued to provide protected time, mentorship and practical research experience for aspiring clinical academics working across a wide range of specialities across the Trust.

Developing the researchers and leaders of tomorrow

Each year, up to six healthcare professionals are awarded secondment placements through the STH Healthcare Professionals Research Internship Programme. During their internship, participants develop research skills, gain a deeper understanding of clinical research and its impact, and are supported to design and deliver a research project relevant to their area of clinical practice.

Importantly, projects can be tailored to an individual's experience, interests and service priorities, ensuring that research remains grounded in the realities of frontline healthcare.

By supporting staff to access these opportunities, the NIHR CRF: Sheffield is investing in the next generation of researchers and research leaders. This not only strengthens research culture across the Trust but also contributes to better care pathways, improved patient experiences and enhanced staff development and retention.

The programme is also helping to establish and strengthen academic career pathways for healthcare professionals across the Trust. Several former interns have gone on to explore and pursue doctoral research opportunities, building on the skills, experience and networks developed during their internships. One previous intern has successfully secured NIHR funding for the Senior Research Leader Programme, demonstrating how early investment in research development can support progression into senior research leadership roles. These achievements highlight the programme's role as a stepping stone for healthcare professionals aspiring to develop careers that combine clinical practice, research and leadership.

Turning ideas into impact

In September 2025, six Sheffield CRF-funded interns graduated from the programme.

Highlighted below are three standout projects that demonstrate the programme's impact on service delivery, staff development and patient experience, illustrating how investment in research capacity can generate meaningful improvements for both healthcare professionals and the patients they serve.

Understanding what matters most following knee replacement surgery

A Specialist Physiotherapist explored the relationship between early post-operative knee range of movement and patient satisfaction following total knee replacement.

The retrospective study found only a weak positive correlation between post-operative knee range of movement and Oxford Knee Score, and this relationship was not statistically significant. The findings suggest that factors beyond physical movement may play a greater role in determining patient satisfaction after surgery.

Existing evidence points to factors such as pain management, patient expectations and functional ability as key contributors to recovery experiences. Building on these findings, future work will gather qualitative feedback from patients at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals to better understand what influences satisfaction following surgery and help inform the development of targeted education programmes.

Exploring equity in digital kidney care

A CRF Research Sister undertook a scoping review examining home-based digital health interventions for people living with chronic kidney disease.

The review identified the considerable potential for digital health technologies to transform care delivery. However, it also highlighted the importance of ensuring that digital innovations are inclusive, robustly evaluated and sustainable if they are to benefit all patients equitably.

The work emphasised the need for future research to prioritise long-term, co-designed studies within primary care settings that assess both effectiveness and equity of access. The findings will help inform future efforts to ensure that digital healthcare solutions do not inadvertently widen health inequalities.

Improving digital tools in maternity care

A Midwife investigated experiences of using the Tommy's Clinical Decision Support Tool within a UK maternity unit.

Through a qualitative study exploring midwives' views and experiences, valuable insights were gathered on the implementation and usability of the tool in clinical practice. The findings were to be shared with the Tommy's implementation team to support ongoing development and improvement of the system.

Feedback was also to be provided to the clinical education team at Jessop Wing to help shape future staff training on the tool. Looking ahead, the project has opened opportunities for wider research across other UK maternity units and may inform further qualitative studies examining the implementation of new digital systems, including Connect, at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

Creating a sustainable research culture

While each project addressed a distinct clinical challenge, together they demonstrate the broader impact of research capacity building. By enabling healthcare professionals to investigate questions arising from everyday practice, the internship programme is embedding research within clinical services and empowering staff to drive evidence-based improvements.

The benefits extend beyond the individual participants. Patients benefit from research-informed care, teams gain access to new knowledge and skills, and healthcare services are strengthened through a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

As the programme continues to grow, so too does its contribution to developing a highly skilled clinical workforce capable of leading future research and translating findings into better patient outcomes.

The next cohort of NIHR CRF: Sheffield funded interns is due to graduate in October 2026, continuing the programme's mission of building research capacity and supporting healthcare professionals to become the research leaders of the future.

(October 2026)

For many people living with psychosis, long-term antipsychotic medication is essential in managing symptoms and preventing relapse. However, researchers are increasingly learning that, in a small number of cases, psychosis may be caused by an underlying immune system problem. The SINAPPS2 study set out to investigate whether targeting that cause could transform treatment for some patients.

The challenge

Psychosis affects how people perceive and interpret reality and can have a profound impact on daily life, relationships and wellbeing. While antipsychotic medicines can be highly effective, many people need to continue treatment for extended periods, often for years, to reduce the risk of becoming unwell again.

Research has shown that in rare cases, psychosis may be linked to anti-neuronal antibodies. These antibodies, which are normally produced by the body to fight infection, can mistakenly attach to the brain and cause inflammation. Scientists wanted to understand whether removing or reducing these antibodies could improve symptoms more quickly and potentially change the way some forms of psychosis are treated.

The research

The SINAPPS2 study (a randomised phase II double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of intravenous immunoglobulins and rituximab in patients with antibody-associated psychosis) is investigating whether adding immune-based treatments to standard antipsychotic medication could benefit people whose psychosis is associated with anti-neuronal antibodies.

Participants in the trial received either:

• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and rituximab alongside their antipsychotic medication

• A placebo treatment alongside their antipsychotic medication.

Because the study was double-blinded and placebo-controlled, neither participants nor researchers knew which treatment had been allocated during the trial, helping to ensure robust and reliable results.

As a phase II clinical trial, SINAPPS2 represented an important step in testing whether an innovative treatment approach is effective and safe before progressing to larger studies.

Working together to deliver research

The study highlighted the importance of collaboration across research teams and organisations.

Patients were identified through the PPiP2 (Prevalence of Pathogenic Antibodies in Psychosis) study, a national study operating across much of England, with mental health research teams from surrounding NHS trusts screening people with psychosis for antibodies. Eligible participants were then referred to one of 10 sites, including the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Sheffield, where study treatments were administered as part of SINAPPS2.

Successful delivery of the trial depended on close partnership working between the sponsor team and the CRF team, ensuring participants could safely receive complex study treatments while maintaining the rigorous standards required for a blinded clinical trial.

Recruitment to SINAPPS2 closed in April 2026. The Sheffield team successfully recruited four participants towards a target 2-4, achieving the upper end of the recruitment target. Patient feedback from participation in the trial at the NIHR CRF: Sheffield has also been positive, reflecting the value participants placed on being involved in innovative research that could improve treatment options for people with psychosis.

Why this research could be a game changer

SINAPPS2 is helping researchers explore a fundamentally different way of thinking about some cases of psychosis.

Rather than treating symptoms alone, the study investigates whether addressing an underlying immune cause could improve outcomes for people whose condition is driven by anti-neuronal antibodies. If IVIG and rituximab are shown to be effective, this could pave the way for more personalised treatment approaches, allowing clinicians to identify patients who may benefit from immune-based therapies.

In the future, this type of targeted treatment could potentially reduce the need for long-term medication in some patients, improve recovery rates and offer new hope to people living with antibody-associated psychosis.

Looking ahead

Although recruitment to SINAPPS2 has now closed, participants remain in follow-up for up to 12 to 18 months after joining the study. Through regular monthly check-ins and more detailed assessments every three months, researchers are continuing to monitor symptoms, side effects and overall progress to understand the longer-term impact of treatment.

Researchers will then analyse the study findings to determine whether immune-based treatments can play a role in the management of antibody-associated psychosis.

While further research may be needed, the study represents an exciting step towards more personalised mental health care, bringing together expertise in psychiatry, immunology and clinical research to explore new possibilities for patients whose needs may not be met by conventional treatments alone.

About the SINAPPS2 study

The SINAPPS2 study is jointly sponsored by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge and is managed by the accredited Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit. Funding for the study is provided by the Medical Research Council and the Stanley Medical Research Institute.

(September 2026)

A former research participant recently contacted our team to share an update and thank staff for the care and support they received during their involvement in a clinical research study.

They told us that they are doing well and reflected on the positive relationships they built with the research team throughout their journey.

It is always wonderful to hear from participants and to be reminded of the real difference that research can make to people's lives. Thank you to all our patients and staff who help make research possible.

(August 2026)

Our first CAR-T MS patient in the department recently wanted to express their appreciation by sending a heartfelt thank you to members of our team.

The participant spoke highly of the team and gave special mention to Hannah and Anna, two of our Research Sisters, commenting on how much they enjoy working with them and praising their professionalism, organisation, and exemplary patient care throughout these complex studies.

As a special thank you, the participant also brought in a selection of fabulous cakes for the team to enjoy. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the participant for their kind words and thoughtful gesture. We are pleased to report that the cakes were thoroughly enjoyed and received excellent reviews from the team!

Feedback like this is a wonderful reminder of the positive impact our staff have on the experiences of those who take part in our research studies. Well done to Hannah, Anna, and the wider team for their continued dedication and exceptional care.

(June 2026)