A Walsall Healthcare research champion has been registered and accredited in a key role which is working to transform treatment for patients.

Ben Jones has been made an Accredited Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP) with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

He is the second in the Black Country and one of only six in the whole of the West Midlands.

Ben is leading on a range of studies for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust as part of its Faculty of Research and Clinical Education (FORCE) Team. He has moved into the FORCE Team from Pharmacy.

He said: “I am so proud to be an accredited CRP both on a personal and a professional level – this is a big achievement for FORCE. I am extremely passionate about research and will never tire of banging the drum for the life-changing difference it can make to patients’ lives.

“Being a CRP recognises the knowledge and expertise that colleagues can bring to research teams and how this collaboration can lead to even greater innovation. I love my role and find it really rewarding that I can offer such meaningful support to the research team and colleagues throughout the Trust. This, in turn, means we’re all working to make a difference to our current patients as well as future generations.”

Professor Matthew Brookes, Clinical Director of the Clinical Research Network West Midlands, hosted by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “Congratulations to Ben whose colleagues describe him as a real asset to the team as he has led on a range of commercial and portfolio studies.

“As a CRP he is crucial to delivering clinical research that is transforming people’s lives and long may he fly the flag for this vital area of work.”

CRPs are now identified as an occupational group in health and care in the UK by the UK Professional Standards Authority (PSA). The PSA is the body that sets the standards for accredited registers of people who work in health and social care.  In April 2020, accredited registration for CRPs was approved by the PSA as part of the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) Accredited Register.