Returning-to-Practice Case Studies

Dr Geoff Sparrow, a retired GP and Associate Specialist in Medical Oncology, who has joined the team working at our research hub in Dorset.

Thanks to the global efforts of the life sciences industry, researchers and volunteers, three COVID-19 vaccines have now been approved for use in the UK. As the NHS rollout of these vaccines progresses, research trials into other COVID-19 vaccine candidates continue. Different vaccines will be needed for different groups of people making ongoing research essential for ensuring we can protect everyone from COVID-19. In Wessex, the delivery of COVID-19 vaccine trials would not be possible without a dedicated workforce. Almost 500 people have come forward to support vaccine research across Dorset, Hampshire, south Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight. Among them is Dr Geoff Sparrow, a retired GP and Associate Specialist in Medical Oncology, who has joined the team working at our research hub in Dorset. In this interview, he explains why he was inspired to come out of retirement to help the region’s vaccine efforts. Meeting so many different people involved in the trials and working across such large teams of clinicians, specialists, volunteers and research staff has been fascinating. Seeing how well we all collaborated and worked tirelessly towards a common goal was quite inspiring.

Click here to read the rest of Dr Sparrow's story.

Dr Lloyd joined the team at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Colleagues at CRN Eastern have some success to share on their experiences at East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust for a return to practice delivering the Novavax vaccine trial study at Ipswitch Colchester Hospital.

However, it wasn’t all plain sailing. The process of setting him up on the bank was fairly bureaucratic. The paperwork required both internally and from the GP himself included a requirement to produce a copy of his last appraisal.

Frances Farnworth, who led on setting up this placement at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust said:

“Having a good contact in HR and being prepared as an R&D department to facilitate all the time consuming running around (and there is lots of this, including sorting out car parking) is no mean feat but nevertheless is essential.

Dr Lloyd was able to access the online training and joined on TEAMS the sessions the PI set up for the doctors with no trouble. Being retired he was able to offer the full week for the first dose and four days for the second dose. This is invaluable for consistencies and the need to not keep retraining different doctors. He was flexible so he could work across sites. I would definitely recommend persevering with all the paperwork. Being able to support Dr Lloyd as an experienced clinician, able to commit the time and flexibility to move across sites has enabled fast set up and delivery of the study he is contributing to."

Esther Thomas, Lead Nurse and Workforce Development Lead at CRN Eastern said:

“Overall, it seems the trick is to have excellent relationships with HR and quickly fill in the paperwork and have PI oversight to support the process. East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust medical locum bank has been very facilitative and responsive which is great!”

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