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Local Audit Actions

Has the introduction of The audit was presented to the Alder Hey Pharmacy Department lunchtime meeting
Plasmalyte as the routine IV in April 2018.
(Intravenous) maintenance
Action/Recommendation:
fluid therapy reduced the
risk of iatrogenic metabolic • Feed results back to a wider range of healthcare professionals involved in the
disturbances? (Disruption switch to Plasmalyte.
to the normal metabolic
• Update existing training to emphasise the importance of using fluid guidelines.
processes following medical
intervention) • No changes to practice are required as Plasmalyte has been well received by
prescribers and patients and can continue to be prescribed.
• Further audit required to look at other electrolytes as a result of the switch to
Plasmalyte
• Re-audit in 12 months.

2.2.5 Participation in Clinical Research One of the main strengths of Liverpool is that of
2017/18 pharmacology – developing better safer medicines
for children and young people and contributing to the
The number of patients receiving NHS services personalised medicine agenda. LHP is developing an
provided or subcontracted by Alder Hey Children’s Industry Gateway Office that will boost the region’s
NHS Foundation Trust in 2017/18 that were recruited to ability to conduct more research into new medicines.
participate in NIHR Portfolio adopted clinical research Being an organisation undertaking high quality patient
was 9,184, the largest number in Alder Hey history. centred research means that Alder Hey contributes
to the health and wealth of Liverpool and the UK as
All research is governed by the EU Clinical Trial a whole as well as having an international impact on
Directive, UK ethics committees and the Trusts Clinical treatments developed for children. The infrastructure
Research Division who carry out safety and quality of expertise available at Alder Hey for setting up and
checks to provide organisational permission. This is successfully delivering clinical research is led and
a highly robust mechanism that ensures oversight of managed by a dedicated team who form the Clinical
every research study in the organisation. Research Division (CRD). The CRD employs 40
research nurses, supports approximately 260 studies
International Research, Education and Innovation is one at any one time and rigorously manages performance
of the Trust’s four strategic pillars and as such elicits to ensure high quality delivery to time and target. Alder
full support of the Board of Directors. All three areas Hey has an excellent track record of recruiting the first
are undergoing expansion and the creation of the Alder patient globally to clinical trials, demonstrating that the
Hey Academy will further link research with education. organisation is at the forefront of drug development
Furthermore, the Alder Hey/University of Liverpool in paediatrics. Over the last 10 years Alder Hey has
refreshed ten year research strategy states that “Every achieved this for 16 of its patients.
child (should be) offered the opportunity to participate
in a research study / clinical trial”. The strategy is patient Our clinical staff and associated academics lead and
focused and supports research from all disciplines. contribute to studies of the latest and newest treatment
The Trust is a member of Liverpool Health Partners options, genetic profiling of diseases and research
(LHP), a consortium of seven hospitals, the University of looking at drug safety including adverse drug reactions
Liverpool and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (side effects).
working together to provide a world class environment
for research and health education across a regional Alder Hey was involved in recruiting patients to 152
footprint. As a significant stakeholder in LHP, Alder Hey open, non-commercial NIHR portfolio adopted clinical
demonstrates a strong commitment to contributing research studies, 37 commercial trials and 29 non-
to evidence-based, cutting edge healthcare aimed at portfolio studies during 2017/18, which is significant for
improving quality of care whilst holding patient safety, a Trust of its size. Whilst some studies report outcomes
dignity and respect at the centre of everything we do. fairly quickly most will not be ready for publication for
A clinical research review for Liverpool Health Partners a few years. The majority were research in the area
took place in 2018 that made several recommendations of medical specialties reflecting the prevalence of
and Alder Hey has a strong influence over this and the available research studies locally and nationally.
emergent strategy for child health.

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 96 Annual Report & Accounts 2017/18