Programme:

Wessex Research Buses

Wessex Research Buses are mobile clinics equipped to deliver health studies all around the Wessex region, meaning more people will be able to take part in research.

A key goal of the buses is to help include communities historically under-served by research opportunities. These include ethnic groups, older people, groups affected by a specific health condition, carers, LGBTQ+, travellers and those living in isolated and rural areas.

The buses are already lined up to help deliver an innovative asthma study as well as a dementia trial. They will be used across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and parts of Wiltshire.

They are also available to hire by anyone interested in using them to deliver clinical research or clinical treatments, for outreach and engagement events, or to carry out public consultations.

Specification

Inside there are two spaces – a preparation room and a clinic room which also has a small, private WC.

Each vehicle:

weighs approx. 3.5 tonnes
is just over 7 metres in length
takes up around 4 standard parking spaces

On board is everything needed to deliver a range of studies, including:

Lab Cold RLDF0519 pharmacy refrigerator (150 litre)
Lec LSFSF39DC-UK 39L Laboratory Freezer (39 litre)
Thermo Scientific™ Medifuge™ Small Benchtop Centrifuge
Examination couch
Chairs and counter space
Power – Victron MultiPlus 3kVA inverter system with a single 12V 220Ah gel battery, and 16A mains connection
Internet connection
WC and water
Air conditioning
Extendable awning to provide semi-covered waiting area
Foldable chairs for additional seating

Each bus is available to hire by partners including acute, community, mental health and primary care organisations.

Meet Maxwell

Maxwell has been designed specifically with communities historically under-served by research in mind. Working alongside community groups ensured the look and feel of this bus has broad appeal.

Maxwell stands for Maximum Wellbeing – helping to spread the message that research strives to save and improve lives.

Staffing

The Clinical Delivery Team, run by NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Wessex, is made up of research nurses, midwives and clinical trial assistants. They can be hired to work on the buses if required.

Costs

Hire costs take into account operational costs, insurance and maintenance. Daily and weekly hire rates are available upon request.

Driving, parking and insurance

Anyone with a standard licence can drive a van up to 3,500kg. The Wessex Research Buses do not exceed 3,500kg. If the study is being delivered by the NIHR CRN Wessex Clinical Delivery Team, a member of the team will drive the bus. If you are delivering the study independently, a driver will not be provided. The vehicles are fully insured and have breakdown cover.

Read more about the buses. For information, please contact tom.simpson@nihr.ac.uk.