Supporting research in Primary Care

Chet Valley Medical Practice actively support clinical research studies within primary care.

The NHS constitution states that research is a core function of the NHS. Clinical research is a major driver of innovation, and central to NHS practice for maintaining and developing high standards of patient care. Ultimately, clinical research means patients get access to new treatments, interventions and medicines. Investment in research means better, more cost effective care for patients.

What is Primary Care research?

A wide range of research studies are supported which look at:

• Promoting a healthier lifestyle.
• Disease diagnosis and prevention.
• Management of long-term illnesses e.g. diabetes or hypertension.
• Prevention of future ill-health.
• Treating common conditions such as tonsillitis or influenza.

What are the benefits of GP practices taking part in research?

• It offers patients new treatments.
• It brings new dimension to practice and added skills to those involved.
• It provides national gold standard training for research.
• It offers mentorship and support to those involved in research within practice.

How can you help and take part at Chet Valley Medical Practice

• 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. If you wish to take part please contact us.

All clinical research carried out at Chet Valley Medical Practice 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Your participation is entirely voluntary and can be withdrawn by yourself at any time without any explanation required.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 purpose of the research study. Nobody from outside the practice will be given your contact details or have access to your medical records without prior consent.

We are very grateful to any of our patients that have taken part in these studies in the past and would encourage patients to become involved in the future.

Current research projects at the Practice

We are proud to be part of the National Programmes run by the Royal College of GPs, University of Oxford and University of Newcastle keeping an eye on infections in the community. These include taking swabs or a stool sample for infective diarrhoea. If appropriate, your clinician may ask you to take part which is entirely voluntary as with all studies.

We are also currently recruiting patients into an asthma study called ‘Relief’, which is a trial of a new relief inhaler in mild asthma. Eligible patients will be contacted by a research nurse.