Our research projects

We conduct clinical research across all of Spectrum’s key service delivery areas.

Research initiatives delivered across our health services in prisons.

  • QUAL-P
    A mixed methods study looking at Improving the quality of healthcare for prisoners.
  • COVID-19
    Spectrum is working alongside York University on a funded piece of research exploring the impact of COVID-19 on prison healthcare delivery.

Service evaluations

  • Evaluation of the recently developed Joint Care and Separation Unit Standards Framework (JC&SUSF) which are being implemented across a number of pilot prison sites.
  • Evaluation of the implementation of Buvidal (long acting depot injection used as treatment for dependency on Opioids) in pilot sites across North East and North West prisons.

These studies are conducted in the community, utilising our research facility in central Wakefield, our Tieve Tara Medical Centre in Airedale, or other community locations.

  • ALABAMA
    This study looks at antibiotic resistance in the community. Our aim is to identify participants who have a true penicillin allergy.
  • Prosper
    The study is looking at the benefits of individualised care planning in elderly people with frailty
  • Abbott
    Nasal swabs are collected from participants and used to assess the accuracy of the Panbio test (similar to a lateral flow test) with a view to introducing into the community as a test to identify cases of Flu A & B and COVID-19.
  • ATTACK
    A research study to find out whether people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) should take regular low dose aspirin to reduce the chance of having a first heart attack or stroke.
  • Interact
    The trial is looking at the benefits of integrated therapist and online CBT for depression in primary care.
  • LOLIPOP
    A major UK research study investigating the mechanisms underlying heart disease stroke, diabetes, obesity and other major medical problems in sample populations.

Research initiatives delivered across our sexual health clinics in Barnsley, Wakefield and Wigan & Leigh.

  • HIS-UK
    Study looking at the value of promoting correct and consistent condom use in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

LOLIPOP study

In summer 2024, Spectrum’s Research team completed a lengthy clinical study investigating the lifestyle, environmental and genomic factors which influence health outcomes for South Asian and European populations in Britain.

Originally developed in 2002, the London Life Sciences Prospective Population Study (LOLIPOP) was a major study aimed to help researchers develop a better understanding of the factors underlying metabolic and cardiovascular disease – which disproportionately affects South Asian populations.

  • Diabetic and cardiovascular disease is 2-4 times more likely to occur in South Asian populations than in Europeans, for reasons that are not fully understood.
  • To try and understand why this occurs and help improve long-term health outcomes, the trial recruited people of South Asian and European descent, to monitor their health over time.
  • Eligible participants were identified and invited to take part in the trial, via local GP practices, day centres, community centres, and mosques in Wakefield.

LOLIPOP recruitment clinics ran 2-3 days per week from Spectrum’s Head Office at Navigation Walk. The study was sponsored by Imperial College London and delivered by Spectrum in partnership with Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Research Network (YHCRN), South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation Trust (SWYFPT) and Conexus.

Over 560 people took part, providing fantastic feedback on Spectrum’s service.

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