Portsmouth Technologies Trials Unit
About PTTU
The Portsmouth Technologies Trials Unit (PTTU) is a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which commenced in spring 2018.
We work in collaboration with clinical researchers, academics, patients and commercial partners, and we specialise in running research studies, including clinical trials in new healthcare technologies.
The PTTU's portfolio of studies also includes observational studies and qualitative research.
What PTTU does
The unit provides the skilled staff and infrastructure needed to develop and deliver high-quality clinical research projects for the benefit of patients and the community.
It supports studies from beginning to end through the following activities:
Study development and grant applications
- Defining research questions
- Protocol development, study design and methodology
- Support for grant writing and submission (including study costings and project management if required)
- Study planning and management
- Sample size calculations
- Lay member input
- Feasibility assessments, recruitment strategies and study delivery plans
Trial set-up and delivery
- Study set-up, including regulatory approvals and contracting
- Trial/project management
- Data management support
- Monitoring and quality oversight
- Safety reporting
- Statistical analysis
- Laboratory support for sample processing and analysis
- Writing end-of-trial reports and publications
Patient, public and community engagement
- Gathering input from the public and patients at all stages of the project, from setting the research question through to study delivery and dissemination.
- Working with clinical and community partners to ensure recruitment targets can be reached effectively and on time.
Research
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Cooperative brachytherapy (CoBra) project
The CoBra project aims to develop an innovative technology for robotic biopsy and brachytherapy under MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) guidance. This will improve the quality of both diagnosis and treatment of localised cancers. The main deliverable will be a robotic arm for both biopsy and brachytherapy treatment.
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Supporting innovation and growth in healthcare technologies (SIGHT)
SIGHT is an ERDF-funded business support project, which helps small- and medium-sized enterprises to become more competitive and market-ready with their new healthcare technology products.
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Frequency of observations (FOBS)
FOBS aims to develop a protocol for how frequently clinical staff should take vital sign observations of patients in hospital. This will lead to better use of nurses’ time and a better experience for patients.
Explore more of our research
Applied Health Informatics
We're researching the effective design and use of IT in health and social care to improve how practitioners communicate with patients and to promote patient wellbeing
