Online talk: Buckinghamshire doctor and Aylesbury patient to discuss innovative COVID-19 trial

Katherine Millbank and Dr Raha West will discuss their experience with the University of Oxford’s RECOVERY trial from 7pm to 7.45pm on Thursday 25 February.

Katherine, 55, of Ledburn, spent two weeks in intensive care with COVID-19 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury in March and April 2020.

During her stay, Dr West recruited her into the study, co-funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Katherine took steroid dexamethasone that was part of the trial into possible treatments for the patients hospitalised with the virus (see notes to editors).

The study found the drug improved survival for hospitalised COVID-19 patients, the first discovery of its kind, which is being used throughout the NHS and worldwide to save lives.

The study also found that convalescent plasma, antibiotic azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine and drug combination lopinavir-ritonavir do not reduce deaths.

Mrs Millbank said: “I took part in the study as I felt it would help the research team to learn about this awful disease and help people who have either had COVID-19 or could get it.

“In my eyes it is a win-win situation, the research team learn from us and we get help from them with medication to survive this virus.

“It would be beneficial for others to take part, as we need to try and help ourselves and the research team with the new strain of this virus which is mutating. We all need to help each other and learn from this experience.”

Dr West said: “This trial looks at various treatments, which may be given with usual hospital care to help patients with COVID-19 get better. The trial has already found that dexamethasone reduces the risk of dying for some patients.

“However, we must continue to find more treatments that can also benefit and rule out some that won’t. We need to fight this serious disease and this trial is an important way to do so.”

More than 30,000 participants have taken part in the trial through 167 NHS hospitals, including 249 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Patients on the trial will be randomly allocated arthritis drug tocilizumab, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drug colchicine, Regeneron’s antibody cocktail or standard care, to compare the treatments. For more information visit www.recoverytrial.net There will be the opportunity to ask questions and learn about how you can take part in COVID-19 research, even if you’re healthy. Register at tinyurl.com/wz5ezl56 or email [email protected]

The webinar will be delivered through Google Meet, which is viewed in a browser or device app.