PATIENTS in Gwent who have been hospitalised with COVID-19 are playing a vital role in research to find treatments for the virus, through hospitals' involvement in major studies.

Health organisations across Wales are currently involved in 11 urgent public health research studies, with more being set up.

The studies - set up through Health and Care Research Wales and co-ordinated across the UK - are being run right across Wales and are looking into multiple treatments for patients, identifying risk factors and specific genes for susceptibility of severe disease, all strengthening the evidence to help fight the disease.

Patients are being recruited across the whole spectrum of COVID-19, ranging from those with symptoms in the community to patients in intensive care units who are seriously ill.

Studies are also focusing on the most effective treatments for specific groups, including pregnant women and children and young people whose immune systems are not functioning as they should, affecting their ability to fight disease.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is one of five in Wales - along with Velindre University NHS Trust - involved in the Randomised Evaluation of COVID Therapy (RECOVERY) trial, a UK-wide study.

This is testing to see if existing or new drugs can help patients who have been admitted to hospital with confirmed COVID-19.

It is the world’s largest randomised clinical trial of potential COVID-19 treatments, led by Oxford University, and funded by the Medical Research Council.

Gwent's health board is also one of two in Wales - with two more to follow - taking part in REMAP-CAP, a platform trial for severely ill patients with COVID-19.

Led in the UK by Imperial College London, and funded by the University Medical Centre Utrecht, in the Netherlands, REMAP-CAP is testing multiple treatments at the same time, for patients admitted to intensive care with severe community-acquired pneumonia.

A UK-wide process is taking place to prioritise urgent public health COVID-19 research studies to ensure all resources are contributing to one big national effort, gathering the necessary evidence to inform policy and enable new diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines to be developed and tested.

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“We’re facing an unprecedented challenge as we try to tackle the spread of COVID-19. It’s important we’re able to use our research capabilities and expertise to gather timely evidence that can lead to the most effective treatments and care, and ultimately a vaccine," said Professor Kieran Walshe, director of Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW), which works in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public to fund, support and increase research.

“Health and Care Research Wales is prioritising resources and fast-track support for COVID-19 urgent public health research studies, and is also working with UK counterparts to enable Welsh researchers to access funding for COVID-19 research.

“We are encouraging Welsh institutions and researchers to respond to the urgent research needs associated with the pandemic and its impact.

“I believe the research community in Wales can continue to make a difference and play a full part in finding a solution to COVID-19.”

HCRW is also working with Oxford University, and with GPs across Wales, to set up the Platform Randomised trial of INterventions against COVID-19 In older people (PRINCIPLE) study.

This trial aims to give a rapid answer about the effectiveness of different treatments, initially of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, in changing the development of the disease.

Health and social services minister Vaughan Gething praised the "exceptional response" of NHS bodies in Wales in becoming involved in vital COVID-19 research.

“Thank you to everyone who is involved in making this happen. Whether you’re a researcher, research nurse, administrator or a patient - you’re all helping to be part of the solution to COVID-19,” he said.

Patients are being recruited to take part in studies, from GP surgeries through to intensive care units and field hospitals, across Wales.