Chris Speed, Research Practitioner with the Liverpool Emergency Department Research Unit (LEDRUS) research team, is helping to embed research into emergency care by inspiring colleagues and championing clinical trials across both the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLUH) and Aintree University Hospital (AUH) sites.
Chris began his NHS career as a porter before progressing through roles as a Healthcare Assistant and Assistant Practitioner in A&E. Now, as a Research Practitioner, he supports the delivery of high-quality research by managing site files, screening and recruiting patients, collecting data and ensuring compliance with study protocols.
As part of his role, Chris has also taken on the responsibility of Research Champion, encouraging 21 A&E colleagues to become Research Champions themselves and supporting doctors and ANPs to join the Associate Principal Investigator (API) scheme.
Chris said: “The champion role helped me gain interest in the job and further my career.
"It’s been rewarding to get more people involved- HCAs, nurses and doctors alike.”
As part of his current role in the Emergency Department, Chris also manages a research assistant, providing practical guidance on both new and ongoing clinical trials. He helps ensure they understand study protocols, data collection methods and patient engagement processes.
In addition to mentoring, Chris continues to raise awareness of research opportunities within A&E, encouraging colleagues across all roles to see research as an integral part of patient care.
His journey from porter to Research Practitioner highlights the value of the Research Champions scheme in developing staff and embedding research into everyday clinical practice.
To find out more about the Research Champion scheme at UHLG, click here.