Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU-NDORMS) – Orthopaedics & Plastics

SITU-NDORMS is a sub-theme within NDORMS and the Oxford BRC (for MSK) based at the Botnar Research Centre on the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) site.

It has an extensive portfolio of clinical trials and studies evaluating elective surgery, rehabilitation and complex interventions and consists of a wide-ranging team of surgical investigators, methodologists and trial management staff. The team has extensive expertise in developing and delivering a full spectrum of clinical effectiveness studies including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and feasibility studies. 

SITU-NDORMS works alongside the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU) to form the trial apparatus necessary for delivering high-level trials. As a sub-theme hub, SITU-NDORMS forms the early work-up, conduct, delivery, academic surgical links and the reporting aspects of surgical trials while OCTRU provides programming, statistics, randomisation and quality control. Together they ensure a high level of rigour and methodological expertise able to design and deliver practice-changing RCTs. SITU-NDORMS also acts as a training and development hub for surgical trialists (those interested in evaluating surgical intervention) both in the UK and internationally. The overall aim is to deliver better outcomes for patients and more efficient care within the NHS and other healthcare systems worldwide. It achieves this by welcoming key research questions from which to build trials to address important clinical issues.

SITU-NDORMS’ work informs practice and policy in the NHS and internationally through bodies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and the Royal College of Surgeons (Eng). There are strong international links with partners in Denmark, France, Ireland and Australia.

In addition, SITU has received landmark status as one of the eight UK Royal College of Surgeons (Eng) endorsed clinical trial centres.

Clinical academic leadership is provided by Professor David Beard (Professor of Musculoskeletal & Surgical Sciences) and Mr Justin Wormald (Academic Clinical Lecturer in Plastic Surgery). The team is supported by a full team of academic-related and support staff under SITU-NDORMS’ Portfolio Manager, Dr Loretta Davies.

For more information please visit: www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/situ

If you would like to discuss a potential surgical trial, please complete the Expression of Interest Form and send this to situ@ndorms.ox.ac.uk