Hundreds Of Island Patients Take Part In Ambulance Research

More than 350 Isle of Wight patients have taken part in clinical research through the Island's ambulance service since 2024.

The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has been involved in three national trials looking at different aspects of emergency care.

They include RAPID2, which is examining pain relief for people with suspected hip fractures, CRASH-4, which is investigating treatment for mild traumatic brain injuries, and a study into how patients with suspected spinal injuries are kept still.

RAPID2 compares standard pain relief with a local anaesthetic injection given by paramedics, to see whether it can provide effective relief before patients reach hospital while reducing the need for morphine and its potential side effects.

More than 110 Island patients have taken part in CRASH-4. The trial is looking at whether a medicine which helps protect blood clots can reduce bleeding in the brain and improve outcomes for people aged over 50 with a mild traumatic brain injury.

The Spinal Immobilisation Study, known as SIS, compared traditional methods of keeping patients still using collars and supports with a less restrictive approach.

The Island service joined that study later than some other ambulance services, but recruited 77 patients before it closed.

At one stage, the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service was the only ambulance service actively recruiting patients to RAPID2, helping the national study continue.

The work was highlighted by the Care Quality Commission during its 2026 assessment of the service, with inspectors recognising opportunities for staff to become involved in research into areas including hip fractures, spinal injuries and minor head injuries.

Specialist Paramedic Tom Gleeson-Hammerton said the research gives Island patients access to evidence-based treatments and the opportunity to help improve emergency care in the future.

He thanked the hundreds of patients who had taken part, as well as ambulance staff and research teams at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

Director of Ambulance Victoria White said she was proud of frontline teams for incorporating research into their everyday clinical work.

She said the service would continue looking for opportunities to take part in national and collaborative research.