STEPHEN Underwood is taking part in an 18-month clinical trial to help future patients with hormone deficiencies.

The 57-year-old financial worker from Chudleigh was recently treated for tumours on a pituitary gland. A side effect of the disease is a hormone deficiency.

Mr Underwood will not personally benefit from participation in the clinical trial but said: ‘I do have a huge sense of giving back and it feels good.’

It’s hoped the trial will result in future patients being able to cut down injections from daily to just one per week.

Mr Underwood was invited by his consultant at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to consider participation in a clinical trial.

He said: ‘I have absolutely no regrets about taking part in the trial, none. The first question I am asked when I attend appointments at the hospital is how am I feeling and do I have any worries? The same attention is given with care and diligence every time.

‘At every stage, whatever’s happening is explained very thoroughly and carefully. Any concerns I had were quickly dispelled. Every visit is great and the team looking after me have a job to do, but they care.

‘It feels good knowing this research has the potential to benefit others, particularly children, in the future.’

Jane Piper, senior research nurse at the hospital, said: ‘We greatly value the trust our patients place in us and the time they give to research when they understand that the benefits may not be realised for some time.’