The NHS in Mid and South Essex is looking for Covid-19 patients prepared to take part in a trial to find new treatments for the disease.

Those in the area who are recovering from or currently have Covid-19 can now register their interest in taking part in the research.

The Recovery research project, which has been taking place across Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust since March 2020, is an international clinical trial that sees volunteers suffering from Covid-19 offered a variety of treatments to help find out which ones help improve patients recovery.

Ashley Solieri, group head of research for the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "New treatments are always being added and removed from the trial as the research team in Oxford review the results to help identify treatments that may be beneficial for people hospitalised with suspected or confirmed Covid-19."

The trust is one of the 180 sites across the world involved in the research, which so far has seen over 39,000 people take part.

Through the project it has been discovered that hydroxychloroquine showed no clinical benefit and convalescent blood plasma had no convincing effects on clinical outcomes and they have been removed as treatments to fight the virus.

It did, however, find that the steroid Dexamethasone was effective in reducing deaths by a third in those with severe respiratory complications caused by Covid.

Ashley explained why continued research is so important. "It can find answers to things that are unknown, filling in gaps in knowledge and changing the way healthcare professionals work.

"The research team are contributing to the national and international body of knowledge that will help determine the best treatment for this virus.

"The trust is always looking for more people who have or have had Covid-19 to take part in the important research."

If you would like to take part in the trial contact Broomfield Hospital on 01245 515136.