CW+ and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust recently celebrated the extraordinary legacy of the Westminster Medical School Research Trust (WMSRT), marking more than six decades of support for clinical research and innovation.
Marking a significant legacy
At a special event held on 17 June at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, colleagues, partners and former funding recipients gathered to recognise WMSRT’s significant contribution to advancing research and improving patient care. The event included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque on the lower ground floor of the hospital, honouring WMSRT’s impact.
Founded in 1965 at Westminster Hospital, the WMSRT has been actively supporting research since 1968 and has played a vital role in supporting generations of researchers through the Joint Research Committee (JRC). Over the years, this funding has enabled clinicians to pursue pioneering research, develop academic careers and translate new ideas into improved treatments and services for patients in the UK and beyond.
Supporting research and development
Through its partnership with CW+ and the Trust, the JRC has supported a wide range of research activity, from early-stage pilot studies to PhDs and clinical fellowships. Since 2009 alone, more than 90 awards have been made. These have supported research leading to high-impact publications, further funding and innovation across multiple specialties.
This support has also contributed to innovation in areas such as digital and data-driven healthcare, as well as improvements in clinical training and patient pathways. Alongside formal research funding, WMSRT has supported education and training, helping clinicians develop research skills early in their careers.
The event brought together several clinicians who have directly benefited from this support, including those whose PhDs and early research careers were made possible through JRC funding.
Professor Chris Gale, Honorary Consultant Neonatologist and former JRC award holder, reflected on the importance of this support: ‘Without the JRC, I don’t think I would have been able to complete my PhD as well as I did. It enabled me to build an academic career alongside my clinical work, focusing on the important problems I see in practice. Support like this is particularly valuable for projects that sit between service improvement and research, helping ideas develop and be tested in a meaningful way.’
Neil Soni, Chairman of the Westminster Medical School Research Trust, said: ‘Since 1968, the WMSRT has supported a wide range of individuals and projects in research and education. As a charity, it has also helped to establish and nurture several other significant charities, which are now active elsewhere in the UK. A key feature of its philosophy was the funding of small ’seed corn’ projects, which enabled trainees to develop an interest in research, many of whom have gone on to impressive research careers. Over the years, it has made a significant contribution to improvements in patient care both within Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and across the wider NHS.’
Continuing the impact
Earlier this year, WMSRT transferred its remaining funds to CW+, helping to support ongoing work in research and innovation across the Trust. This includes continued support for Joint Research Committee activity and strengthening specialist areas such as paediatrics.
Chris Chaney, Chief Executive of CW+, said: ‘The Westminster Medical School Research Trust has made a hugely important contribution to clinical research over many decades, supporting front line staff to develop ideas that improve patient care. We are thrilled to be building on this legacy at CW+, continuing to support research and innovation that has a real and lasting impact across the Trust and the communities we serve.’
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