More than 350 patients on the Isle of Wight have taken part in clinical research through the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, contributing to national studies looking at new ways of treating patients before they reach hospital.
Since 2024, the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IWAS) has participated in 3 clinical trials – RAPID2, CRASH-4 and the Spinal Immobilisation Study (SIS).
Despite being one of the country’s smaller ambulance services, IWAS has made a significant contribution to the research. At one point, it was the only ambulance service actively recruiting patients to RAPID2, helping to keep the study running.
RAPID2 compares standard pain relief with a local anaesthetic injection administered by paramedics to patients with a suspected hip fracture.
Researchers are examining whether the treatment can provide effective pain relief before patients arrive at hospital while potentially reducing the need for morphine and its associated side effects.
Another study, CRASH-4, involves people aged over 50 who have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury.
It is investigating whether a medicine that helps protect blood clots can reduce bleeding in the brain and improve outcomes for patients.
Although the Island’s ambulance service joined CRASH-4 later than some other services, more than 110 patients on the Isle of Wight have participated so far.
Meanwhile, the Spinal Immobilisation Study examined how ambulance crews care for people with a suspected spinal injury.
Researchers compared traditional methods of keeping patients still using collars and supports with a less restrictive approach which may be more comfortable.
IWAS recruited 77 patients before the study closed, despite joining it at a later stage.
The research means eligible patients on the Isle of Wight have been able to participate in clinical studies from the moment they receive emergency care, with the findings potentially influencing how ambulance clinicians treat patients in the future.
The work was also recognised by the Care Quality Commission during its 2026 assessment of the ambulance service. Inspectors highlighted opportunities for staff to participate in research involving hip fractures, spinal injuries and minor head injuries.
Tom Gleeson-Hammerton, Specialist Paramedic, has said:
“Patients at the roadside deserve just as much evidence-based care and access to improved treatments as those in a hospital bed.
“We are indebted to hundreds of our ambulance patients who have agreed to participate in these trials. To have gone from no research activity to providing a significant contribution to these large national trials in just a few years is a massive achievement.
“This would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and commitment of our ambulance colleagues, our research and development teams at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, and our patients.
“The results of these studies will be seen by clinicians and services across the UK and beyond. Together, we are helping to improve emergency care not just on the Island, but further afield.”
Victoria White,
