18 May 2016
Thank you to 225,000 local people who have taken part in healthcare research in last 10 years - lead up to International Clinical Trials Day
In the last 10 years, 225,000 people in the West of England are
estimated to have taken part in clinical research supported by the
National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), the research arm of
the NHS. These 'research heroes' have helped pave the way for new,
improved NHS treatments and services.
Clinical research helps the NHS identify the best interventions
and treatments for patients, which have the potential to improve
the lives of those affected now, and in the future. More volunteers
are needed to take part in clinical research if this vital work is
to continue.
Dr Steve Falk, Clinical Director of the NIHR's Clinical
Research Network West of England, said: "Every year, research
in our local hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes and in the
wider community, contributes to better care in the NHS. This
clinical research, supported by the NIHR, would be impossible
without the thousands of local people willing to take part. They
have all helped improve treatments and services.
"The 10th anniversary of the NIHR and Friday's International
Clinical Trials Day is a fitting point to say a huge `thank
you' to the 225,000 local people who have taken part in clinical
research over the last decade. They are our heroes.
"Just in the last year alone, 19,500 people took part in 671
research studies in the West of England. That shows just how
committed people are to `doing their bit' to help improve NHS
treatment."
As well as thanking patients and the public for their invaluable
contribution to clinical research, we are also asking more people
to get involved.
Each year on International Clinical Trials Day (Friday 20 May),
the NIHR 'Ok to Ask'
campaign calls on
patients, their families and carers to ask their nurse or doctor
about taking part in health research. The NHS Constitution gives
everyone the right to information about research they could
participate in, as part of their everyday healthcare.
The `Ok to Ask' campaign is being promoted by local NHS trusts
this week in their activities to celebrate International Clinical
Trials Day, kicking off on May 18 with the seminar
What's research ever done for us?at the University of
Gloucestershire. The event, jointly organised with the
Gloucestershire health community, will present some of the
advances in clinical care that would not have been achieved without
studies to find out what provides the best treatment option.
Elsewhere, hospital trusts are showcasing research in their
atriums and main entrances (see notes) and clinical commissioning
groups are promoting the key roles they and general practice play
in research.
The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) has transformed
research in the NHS in the decade since it was established as the
research arm of the NHS in April 2006. Over five million people
have taken part in healthcare research over the last decade with
natioanlly 98% of NHS trusts and 41% of GP practices now actively
engaged in clinical research.
Follow all the activity for International Clinical
Trials Day on Twitter: @crnwestengland and
#ICTD2016
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation
Trust: research event taking place in the Bristol Heart
Institute atrium, with teams from various specialities showing how
research is having an impact on patient care.
To find out more about the OK to Ask campaign, visit www.nihr.ac.uk/oktoask
To find out more about clinical research visit www.crn.nihr.ac.uk/ppie,
or sign up to the free online course "Improving healthcare through
clinical research" at bit.ly/CRN_MOOC
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