Coordinating all COVID-19 research across the Liverpool City Region
The need to deliver impactful and immediate research is clear and the Strategic One Liverpool Partnership for COVID (STOP COVID) initiative, led by the academic health science system, gives the necessary framework to bring together leading specialists and make a difference.
Under the direction of the Executive-Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and vice-Chair of Liverpool Health Partners, Professor Louise Kenny, this new initiative will support, accelerate and assess research-based innovations within the Liverpool City Region.
Drawing on the clinical and academic strengths of the Centre of Excellence in Infectious Disease Research (CEIDR), the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, and NHS organisations, the STOP COVID system-wide approach strengthens the support and structuring of all Liverpool COVID-19 related research activity.
Professor Kenny said: “CEIDR brings together the infection strengths of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the University of Liverpool and has a pivotal role in leading and structuring the Liverpool City Region’s research response to the pandemic.”
“Liverpool has a long and illustrious history in infectious diseases research and a world class track record in drug discovery. This global health crisis will ultimately only be defeated by science. That’s why we took the decision several months ago to close down all non-COVID-19 research and pivot all our efforts to address this threat to lives, our NHS and our way of life.”
Dr Dawn Lawson, Chief Executive of Liverpool Health Partners, added: “We have a unique approach to approving research studies across the City called LHP SPARK (the Single Point of Access for Research & Knowledge). We can approve and set-up health research studies in a few days and patients can access novel medicines and innovative treatments, whilst contributing to developing new knowledge about which treatments are effective. Working in partnership is the only way to deliver what is needed.”
Professor William Hope, the Dame Sally Davies Chair of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Director of Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research, University of Liverpool said: “Liverpool has responded quickly - and as one - by mobilising its world-leading expertise in pharmacological sciences, drug development, data sciences, virology and social sciences to find immediate solutions for patients with COVID-19. COVID-19 is yet another example of Liverpool’s ability to address complex medical problems in a timely way and for the public good.”
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