NICRN T&O And Critical Care Teams Achieve Outstanding First-Month Recruitment for POP-I in RVH

November 9, 2026

The Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN) Trauma and Orthopaedics and Critical Care research teams at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) have achieved an outstanding recruitment milestone in the POP-I (Perioperative Iron and Erythropoietin Intervention) clinical trial. The Belfast site recruited 11 participants within its first month of opening, achieving the second highest first-month recruitment performance across all participating UK sites, with only Milton Keynes recording a higher figure. Belfast was also recognised as the second-highest recruiting site in the UK for the week ending 1 November 2026.

This is a remarkable achievement, particularly as the Belfast site at the RVH only opened on 28 September 2026. The strong early recruitment reflects the exceptional commitment, coordination, and collaborative efforts of the NICRN research teams. According to the weekly update for 1 November 2026, the national study had reached 2,197 randomisations (91.5% of its 2,400-participant target), with just 203 participants remaining, highlighting the significant contribution Belfast has made to this major national research effort.

The POP-I study is a large, multicentre, Phase IV randomised controlled trial funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and coordinated by the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit recruiting across 40 hospitals in the UK and investigates different approaches to treating postoperative anaemia in older patients following emergency surgery. The trial compares usual care with treatments involving intravenous iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating therapy, with the aim of improving recovery and increasing the number of days patients spend safely at home within 30 days of surgery.

The Principal Investigator for POP-I at BHSCT is Mr Sean Shevlin, Consultant Anaesthetist, with Mr Brendan Haughey as Co-Principal Investigator. The clinical trainee team includes API Dr Alok Vinayakumar, Dr Jennifer Salmon and Dr Yawar Bakht. The study is delivered through a close working partnership between the NICRN Trauma and Orthopaedics and Critical Care Clinical research teams. The team includes CRN Anie Philip from Trauma and Orthopaedics, working alongside CRN Christine Turley-Rock from Critical Care and her colleagues Clinical Research Nurses Emma Bohan and Lindsey Burnett. Their combined efforts have been central to the coordination, recruitment, and delivery of the study at the RVH.

The success of POP-I at the RVH reflects excellent multidisciplinary teamwork and the support of colleagues across the Trust.

Additional recruitment support from NICRN Staff management by involving Clinical Research Nurses Blessy Joseph and Stella Gathenya from the NICRN Respiratory Research Team, and Priya Edwards from the NICRN Diabetes Research Team, has further strengthened the recruitment efforts at the Belfast site. Their contribution, alongside the administrative support of Chris Wright, Anthony Mallon, Michelle Growcott and Andrew Sloane, has helped support the successful progress of the study. The orthogeriatric Consultant, Mr. Phil Wilson led team, Ward Sisters and staff have also played an important role through their warm welcome and cooperation, alongside Brian Wells and the Pharmacy Department.

We gratefully acknowledge the guidance of Mr Owen Diamond, Orthopaedic Consultant Surgeon and Clinical Director of Trauma and Orthopaedics, and Dr Jon Silversides, Consultant Anaesthetist and Senior Clinical Lecturer in Critical Care at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).We also recognise the valuable support of the Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Charity Department(TORC) at Musgrave Park Hospital.

Above all, we thank the patients who have agreed to take part in POP-I and contribute to research that aims to improve care for future patients.

With recruitment continuing towards the Belfast site’s target by the end of December 2026, the Trauma and Orthopaedics and Critical Care teams remain committed to maintaining this momentum and contributing to the successful completion of this important national study.