HIV/GUM Research Department

We are the largest HIV/GUM Research department outside London and we work alongside the Lawson Unit and Claude Nicol Clinic. The Unit has been conducting studies for over 10 years and has experience in the following areas

• National & international studies
• Locally generated research
• Collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Pharmaceutical Industry and other units across the country

Examples of the types of studies we conduct include:

• Studies on new antiretroviral drugs
• Studies to explore different treatment strategies i.e the best time to start therapy
• The management of treatment side effects
• Studies where we observe the effect of HIV on people over time and
• The screening and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

The team consist of the following people

Martin Fisher - Principal Investigator

Desmond Maitland - Co-Investigator

Nicky Perry - Research Manager

Lisa Heald - Research Nurse

Tara Maher - Research Nurse

Kerry Hobbs - Research Nurse

Wendy Hadley  -research nurse

Julia Williams - Research Administrator

Richard Shanahan - Clinical Support                                (pictures of the team here)

If you are suitable for a study this will be discussed with you by your regular clinic doctor and you will be invited to come and discuss the study further with one of the research nurses.  Participation in a study is completely voluntary and you can have plenty of time to decide whether you want to participate.

Although the majority of our referrals come from the Lawson Unit we encourage anyone who is interested in participating in a study regardless of where they receive their care to contact us directly and we can discuss what studies are currently recruiting.

If you hear or read about a study that interests you or want to establish what studies are available then please contact us or speak to your doctor.

The Research Team can be contacted on 01273 523079.