A HIGH profile research and development lead has joined Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT).

Working alongside partners at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Margaret Cooper will lead the research and development team.

A highly trained and experienced nurse within her field, Ms Cooper began her nursing career on the cardiac surgery and high dependency unit at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in 1984.

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She spent many years within various NHS roles all relating to research and development, including establishing the new Clinical Research Network across Cumbria and Lancashire, working nationally with the Department of Health and was the associate director of Research and Development at the University Hospitals of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust.

Ms Cooper said: “UHMBT is a research focused organisation, and I’m thrilled to have joined the team. We have are around 100 active clinical trials and my mission is to encourage staff to approach patients about the possibility of participating in one. Also I would like patients to ask staff about any clinical trials that may be beneficial to them. After all today's research is tomorrow’s patient care.

“I’m particularly intrigued by the work to enhance patient care at the Trust over the last few years, and I’m looking forward to being involved with Bay Health and Care Partners, enhancing medicine available for patients in the future."