Duchy of Lancaster visits NIHR Liverpool’s Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at Royal Liverpool University Hospital

Colleagues at Royal Liverpool University Hospital were proud to host Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Rt Honourable Pat McFadden MP, at our National Institute of Health and Care Research Liverpool Clinical Research Facility (CRF).

The visit, organised with colleagues at the University of Liverpool and The Pandemic Institute, was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our CRF and the team’s work on zika, Covid-19 and emerging infections.

The visit coincided with the Government’s announcement of new measures to strengthen the UK against future pandemics and keep the public safe.

As part of the visit, the Chancellor met with Dr Jim Gardener, Group Chief Medical Officer and Professor Richard FitzGerald, Director of NIHR Liverpool CRF, who led a tour of the Clinical Research Facility.

The Research Team spoke with the Chancellor during his visit to the CRF about their current involvement on developing a vaccine to combat the Zika virus, and their instrumental role in Liverpool’s response to Covid-19.

Professor Richard FitzGerald talked about the Covid-19 clinical trials and first in human clinical trial of the Zika vaccine.

Professor FitzGerald said: “Both myself and the team felt privileged to welcome the Chancellor, Rt honourable Pat McFadden MP to tour the NIHR Liverpool Clinical Research Facility earlier this week. We are immensely passionate about the work we do on the unit and the role we have in developing treatments for emerging infections.”

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, The Rt Honourable Pat McFadden MP, said: “We must learn lessons from the Covid pandemic as we cannot afford to make the same mistakes again. But we will plan in a way that recognises the next crisis may not be the same as the last.

“We agree with the Covid-19 Inquiry that more needs to be done and are announcing measures to make sure that we are as prepared as possible for future pandemics.

“These changes will improve our resilience and preparedness and help to safeguard our citizens.”

The Liverpool CRF played a key role during the Covid-19 pandemic, by working in partnership with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to test and develop vital vaccines and medicines.

During his time in Liverpool he also met with partners from the University of Liverpool including  Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool, Professor Tom Solomon, Director of The Pandemic Institute (TPI) and Chair of Neurology at the University of Liverpool, and Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool.