Research and current trials

Research Statement

Our practice is a research active practice. This means we actively support and conduct different types of research with the intention of improving outcomes for patients. New treatments, technologies, care approaches and devices all need to be carefully and safely tested in real life healthcare environments. Clinical research in these environments is separately funded and adds value to patient care.

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the importance of clinical research, which was crucial to the development of vaccines and treatments that have saved millions of lives globally. Clinical research is essential for discovering new treatments for diseases, as well as new ways to detect, diagnose, and reduce the chance of developing the disease and by improving the efficiency and efficacy of care it can be a vital tool in tackling waiting list backlogs and reducing the pressure on the NHS.

You may be approached or invited to consider taking part in research from time to time. Participation in research is completely voluntary and your decision to take part or not will not affect your clinical care in any way.

Our practice works with the NIHR North West Research Delivery network, who provide support to enable us to offer research to our patients. Every research study is different, and patient involvement varies- depending on the type of study. You will be provided with information on the study to help you decide whether you want to be part of it or not. Below are some examples of what you may be asked to do for a research study:

Complete a questionnaire
Take part in an interview
Use a new therapy / device / website
Take a treatment under supervision

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. The CQC now has a remit to assess how care organisations are supporting and using health and care research to improve population health. The 2021 CQC Strategy specifically refers to the value of research in population care. If you do not wish to be approached for research please contact the practice.

Further information: Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning – NHS

Site Research Staff

GP Leads: Dr Carolina Espada, Dr Paolo Siddi
Admin support: Heather Wilson, Samantha Cross, Emma Robinson
- All above Good Clinical Practice trained

Patient Research Links:

Join Dementia Research connects registered volunteers with dementia researchers across the UK who are looking for people to join their studies: Join dementia research
Research for The Future has opportunities to get involved in research across all health conditions as well as for healthy volunteers: Research for the Future
NIHR Evidence makes health and care research findings informative, accessible, relevant and ready for use for all: https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/

How you can take part?

A doctor or nurse may talk to you about a particular study and ask whether you would be interested in participating
You may be sent information through the post if we feel you may be a suitable participant
You may read information about a current study in the patient waiting room or on the surgery website and wish to take part by contacting your GP or the Research Nurse

All clinical research carried out at Highfield Surgery is thoroughly checked and approved by ethical committees thus ensuring it is appropriate and safe to perform. Your participation is entirely voluntary and can be withdrawn by yourself at any time without any explanation required.

You are under no obligation to participate in any research project Your care and your relationship with your doctor or nurse will not be affected in any way if you decided not to take part in a research study. You will always receive clear information about what taking part in a research study would involve. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain further details about a study.

If you do agree to take part in a study you will be asked to sign a consent form. This will clearly state which parts of your notes (if any) may be looked at for the purposes of the research study. Nobody from outside this practice will be given your contact details or have access to your medical records without your prior consent.

Current active trials at the surgery

Orchid – Oxford university

Disease surveillance involves taking virology swabs from volunteer patients to help us to monitor respiratory viruses circulating in the community and to support vaccine effectiveness

If you attend the surgery with a respiratory illness for an appointment , you may be asked if you would like to have your nose and throat swabbed, with the swab being sent off to the university to find out what the virus is. Results are sent to the practice in the post.

Patient information leaflet: Virology patient leaflet

DaRe2THINK

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common condition where the heart rhythm is irregular. AF leads to a higher risk of blood clots which can cause a stroke if they occur in the brain, and other problems elsewhere in the body. In addition, patients with AF have a higher chance of developing cognitive decline (trouble remembering, concentrating or making every-day decisions) that can eventually lead to dementia.

Patients aged over 75 years, or those aged 65 with other health conditions usually receive blood thinning tablets to prevent blood clots. However, this may be too late to avoid dementia. A new class of blood thinning tablets are now widely used in the NHS which are more convenient for patients to take, with a lower risk of bleeding than older treatments. Using these drugs in younger patients could provide benefit, but this needs to be tested in a clinical trial.

The aim of this study is to find out whether these newer blood thinning tablets can prevent serious long-term complications if used earlier in patients with AF. We are also testing a new way to run trials within the NHS, based locally in GP surgeries and without the need for patients to visit a hospital.

You will receive an invite from the surgery with information on how to join

Patient information leaflet: Patient information leaflet – DaRe2Think

Information video: The DaRe2THINK Trial (University of Birmingham)

ReSTORe

After a stroke, many people experience long-term challenges such as fatigue, low mood, or reduced fitness and confidence. Stroke survivors have told us that when their hospital or follow-up care finishes after about six months, the lack of treatment for their ongoing physical and mental health problems is very challenging and frustrating.

The ReSTORe study aims to find out if a home-based, supervised online programme can help improve
well-being after a stroke. We will be looking at which of these two treatments will help people recover the
most:

A single online session of advice and support with a trained professional

2. A 10-week supervised, online, home-based, group exercise and recovery support scheme

You will receive an invite from the surgery with information on how to join

SWELL (Skills for adolescent wellbeing)

We are looking for young people aged between 13 and 19 and their parent or carer to take part in the Skills for Adolescent Wellbeing (SWELL) study.

The study will offer support for parents experiencing low mood. It will also test whether an online group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for young people can help protect against depression and improve quality of life for adolescents.

The group CBT programme for the young person involves learning and applying skills for managing stress and boosting wellbeing.

Both a young person and their parent or carer are needed to take part in the study.

Who can take part?

Young people aged 13-17 years old who have had depression before, or who have mild symptoms of depression at the moment can take part.
Young people must also live with a parent who has had depression before, who has also agreed to take part.

What does it involve?

Young people will be randomly chosen to either:

attend an online CBT group to learn skills for supporting wellbeing
continue as usual

Parents who are depressed at the start of the study will have their depression treatment optimised in a personalised 12-week programme, which includes treatment from the trial doctors and clinical team.

Questionnaires and interviews will be completed by young people and parents with help from the research team. These responses will help the researchers understand whether the CBT group programme works, and which aspects are most important in preventing depression.

Benefits of taking part

participants will be reimbursed for their time with vouchers (up to a maximum of £50 each)
parents currently meeting diagnostic criteria for depression will receive optimized treatment for this from the study specialist doctor
some young people will join a group CBT program, teaching them skills for coping with stress and improving their wellbeing
those participating in the study will contribute to developing an increased understanding of interventions that can help prevent depression in young people

Patient information leaflet: SWELL Information booklet

To register your interest: Skills for Adolescent Well Being (SWELL) Study

Information video: SWELL participation process

INDIGO – Imperial college london

Imperial College London is conducting an online survey to learn more about the long-term outcomes for patients living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Full Title: INDIGO Community: Investigating DIGital Outcomes in a community setting for patients living with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer.

Age range: Over 16 years

Eligibility:

Anyone who has previously received a cancer diagnosis at anytime in their adult life (>16 years)
Has completed initial (first line) treatment OR is 12 months on from diagnosis

Locations: Online survey study, available to participants nationwide.

You will receive an invite from the surgery with information on how to join