HDFT Research & Innovation

29/09/2026

21/09/2026

Preparations are underway for our two-day Maternity Research celebration at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust 👩‍🍳

Our team will be taking sweet treats and promotional items around some of the hospital wards on the 23rd and 24th September to raise awareness of our current maternity studies and the fantastic milestones we have reached recently 🥳.

We have four main studies open to recruitment at HDFT:

🧬 The Generation Study is investigating the genomes of newborn babies to look for 200+ rare conditions which usually appear in early childhood and can be treated within the NHS. The study will help us to learn more about genes and health, so that we can improve testing and treatment for genetic conditions in the future. We have now recruited over 1,100 local participants!

👶 BaBi Harrogate is part of a group of national "Born and Bred in" (BaBi) research projects about families and children to help us learn more about how they can live healthier, happier lives. Researchers will link together routinely collected data from parent and child, such as blood pressure measurements or details of baby’s height and weight, to see how health, care and services could be improved through research and planning in Harrogate and beyond. Over 2,200 local mothers and babies have been recruited to the project so far and they will help us to improve the care for local families.

🩸 The GILD Study ("Glucose Control in Labour with Diabetes") is looking at how blood sugars are monitored during labour in people with gestational diabetes and whether a ‘more relaxed’ approach to monitoring blood glucose is as effective as ‘tight’ (more frequent) monitoring. The study has only been open at Harrogate for just over two months and we have already reached our recruitment target of 18 participants!

🧪 The DOMINO Study ("Diabetes in Pregnancy Optimising Maternal and Infant Outcomes") aims to improve pregnancy care in people with type 1 diabetes and early-onset type 2 diabetes. A blood test marker called ‘C-peptide’ (which is a hormone, like insulin) may help to predict which people are more likely to have challenges around the time of delivery. DOMINO will look at the levels of this marker in a large number of people and in more detail than previous studies to establish its importance. We recruited our first participant last week!

We're looking forward to speaking with staff, patients and visitors this week and spreading the word about our exciting studies and achievements.

For more information on any of our studies, please email [email protected] or call 07990 510847.

24/08/2026

"Without taking part in the study, it is highly unlikely the children would have been tested until symptoms appeared, which could have delayed diagnosis and treatment".

It's fantastic to hear real-world examples of how the Generation Study has benefitted families.

We are proud to have recruited over 1,030 participants locally. All our families are helping us to improve future care and treatment for children across the UK.

21/08/2026

The Maternity Research Team at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust recruited their 1000th participant to the Generation Study this week! 🎉

Huge congratulations to our Maternity Research and Midwifery teams who work together to run the Generation Study so successfully. Recruitment has been open for just over a year at HDFT, which shows the teams' enthusiasm and dedication. 🥳

The Research Team are planning a two-day event across the 23rd and 24th September to celebrate this milestone, along with BaBi Harrogate being open for two years and recruiting nearly 2200 participants so far! Further event details will be released nearer the time.

The Generation Study is investigating the genomes of newborn babies to look for 200+ rare conditions which usually appear in early childhood and can be treated within the NHS. The study will help us to learn more about genes and health, so that we can improve testing and treatment for genetic conditions in the future.

For more information on the study, please visit https://www.generationstudy.co.uk/
You can register your interest on the site, or contact the Harrogate study team directly by calling/texting 07990 510847 or emailing
[email protected].

09/08/2026

We're proud to be one of the many care locations across the UK offering patients the opportunity to participate in research studies.

Research happens where care happens.

🏥717,435 participants in hospitals
👩‍🔬88,625 in GP practices
🔍51,061 in community settings
🏘️1,772 in residential settings

Find out more: nihr.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-...

19/06/2026

Today we’re celebrating , recognising the incredible impact that research has across Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

Research is at the heart of improving patient care - helping us discover better treatments, enhance services, and ensure our communities receive the very best evidence-based care. Every study, every participant, and every staff member involved contributes to shaping the future of healthcare.

A huge thank you to all our colleagues, participants and partners who support research at HDFT. Your dedication, curiosity, and commitment make a real difference to patients today and for generations to come!

21/05/2026

The Research and Innovation Team took park in the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust Open Days on 8th and 20th May.

The days were part of the Trust's 200th anniversary celebrations which mark the opening of Harrogate’s first hospital. Nearly 30 departments came together to showcase their services and the vital work they do for patients across Harrogate and the surrounding district.

The events gave us a great opportunity to engage with staff, governors, visitors and the wider public and tell them about the fantastic work we do.🩺💊🧬

Our stall was well received and we enjoyed showcasing our "Mini Randomised Trial: The Treat Edition", where visitors were allocated to receive a sweet or chocolate at random (using a die) and their satisfaction levels were measured afterwards! 🎲😋

Pictured are research staff Agness, Georgie and Manvi along with our colourful display.

12/05/2026

Today is International Nurses' Day – an opportunity to recognise the skill, compassion and dedication of nurses and the difference they make every day to patients, families and communities.

is celebrated annually on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and aims to shine a light on the vital role nurses play across health and care services.

Our Research Nurses contribute daily to the progression of ground-breaking research and the development of new innovations, treatments and services for our patients and communities.

Happy to all of our dedicated and hardworking nurses! 🎉

05/05/2026

Happy International Day of the Midwife to all of our fantastic midwives here at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

Our dedicated Research Midwives continue to work with our Midwifery team to recruit to the Generation Study - we now have just under 700 participants who have consented to take part! 🎉👶

If you are currently pregnant (or know someone who is) and may like to take part, please visit www.generationstudy.co.uk for more information and to register your interest at Harrogate Hospital.

"As midwives, we carry the women we have cared for, for the rest of our career. Each person we care for is so special, and we are so grateful for women who trust us to care for them. "

To celebrate International Day of the Midwife, Isy Williams, Community Midwife on the Generation Study, talks about the vital role that midwives play.

Read more in her blog: https://ow.ly/Qv2150YT6On

01/04/2026

We recently said a fond farewell to Caroline, our Research Optometrist, as she begins her well-earned retirement after 13 years of helping our Ophthalmology Research Team, and longer as part of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust's Optical Services Team.

Caroline was presented with a Making a Difference Award on her last day 🏆. She was nominated in recognition of her exceptional dedication and commitment. Caroline chose to delay her retirement to ensure the successful completion of the FOCUS study, demonstrating remarkable selflessness and professionalism.

Caroline consistently goes above and beyond, supporting patients not only in her role but also in her own time through the Vision Support Centre and “New to Sight Loss” sessions. Her compassion, expertise, and commitment to improving patients’ quality of life have made a lasting impact. Caroline’s willingness to put others first reflects the very best of the Trust’s values, and she will be greatly missed as a colleague, mentor and friend. 💙