NIHR publishes latest data on patient experience in research, provides patient pathway to study success @NIHRCRN @NHSRDForum #clinicaltrials

Hats off to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Networks who published the latest data on patient experience in research this week. They have now been tracking patient views on participation for three years and with each report we gain a more informed picture of what matters to them. And with the … Continue reading NIHR publishes latest data on patient experience in research, provides patient pathway to study success @NIHRCRN @NHSRDForum #clinicaltrials

‘Stand up if you love clinical research’ on Intl Clinical Trials Day, 20 May #NIHRoktoask #NHSresearch

My tickets for the FA Cup Final arrived in the post yesterday. I am very excited indeed.  I have a feeling that my team will bring the trophy home to south London where it belongs. It is that time of year when football fans are living on their nerves as their team battles to win … Continue reading ‘Stand up if you love clinical research’ on Intl Clinical Trials Day, 20 May #NIHRoktoask #NHSresearch

Have you joined the new online course revolutionising the way the public can learn about clinical research? @NIHRCRN MOOC

I do not ascribe to the view that you have to be 'scientific literate' as a pre-requisite to taking part in science.  In the same way that I do not think you need to be fluent in French before you can enjoy a holiday or set up home there.  Nothing beats immersion in the way of … Continue reading Have you joined the new online course revolutionising the way the public can learn about clinical research? @NIHRCRN MOOC

There’s nothing wrong in being a poster child for public involvement @bournemouthuni

The small things in life can tell us much about how the world is changing. Whether it's commuters carrying bottles of water. Or the papers left on trains at the end of a journey. What might such tell-tale signs of cultural change be, when it comes to public involvement? Is it the fact that public involvement … Continue reading There’s nothing wrong in being a poster child for public involvement @bournemouthuni

From ‘spacewalking’ patients to Bowie, the literature on public involvement in research reached new Peakes this week

It's one of the hardest things they will have to do.  It is physically and mentally draining.  For many it will feel a lonely place.  The atmosphere will be unlike anything they have ever experienced before. Some will feel as if they are in a state of suspended animation. Others will feel as if they have leapt off a cliff … Continue reading From ‘spacewalking’ patients to Bowie, the literature on public involvement in research reached new Peakes this week

We are looking for feedback on the #NIHRoktoask campaign from patients, researchers, everyone…. Please help and RT.

We are the only country which runs a public awareness campaign across our national health system to encourage people to participate in clinical research - NIHR 'OK to ask'.  We've been doing it for three years on the trot to coincide with International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) in May.  Now we want your views on how … Continue reading We are looking for feedback on the #NIHRoktoask campaign from patients, researchers, everyone…. Please help and RT.

Clinical research takes to the streets for International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) 2015 #NIHRoktoask #trialsmatter #clinicaltrialsday

Happy International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) 2015 everyone! Today over 100 NHS Trusts will be taking part in NIHR's 'OK to ask' campaign aimed at raising public awareness of clinical research and encouraging patients to take part in clinical studies.  There will be displays in hospital receptions and staff canteens, mock trials with chocolate (yummy!), … Continue reading Clinical research takes to the streets for International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) 2015 #NIHRoktoask #trialsmatter #clinicaltrialsday

Old rules need not apply – Is Apple tearing up the rule book with #ResearchKit?

'Purdah' will very shortly fall over Whitehall as the General Election looms. At the end of March the airspace over government will be closed for six weeks or so. No new flights of Ministerial fancy can take off. Those already in the air may continue on their way but must do so in radio silence. Still, … Continue reading Old rules need not apply – Is Apple tearing up the rule book with #ResearchKit?

Cancer research ‘sales’ to patients remain flat

Today sees the annual Cancer Patient Experience Survey published. For the third year running it looks at the extent to which people with cancer are being told about the opportunity to take part in research. Also, how many take up that opportunity. National data is published and then statistics are provided by NHS Trust and … Continue reading Cancer research ‘sales’ to patients remain flat

Health Research Authority (HRA) draft guidance on sharing trial results with research participants and more!

The Health Research Authority (HRA) is to be congratulated on its draft guidance to researchers on providing information to participants at the end of the study.  The guidance is open for consultation until the end of this month.It takes a common-sense approach to sharing trial results with study participants. I challenge any researcher not to find … Continue reading Health Research Authority (HRA) draft guidance on sharing trial results with research participants and more!

Health Research Authority looks for good practice in identifying research participants – survey.

Excuse my laziness but it is Saturday. Here's a copy of a press release put out by the a Health Research Authority (HRA) on Wednesday about a call (in essence, a survey) they are doing for good practice in identifying potential participants for research studies. The results of the work will be published by HRA … Continue reading Health Research Authority looks for good practice in identifying research participants – survey.

@RBandH Guest blog: Promoting Clinical Research Locally – From ‘OK to Ask’ to Research Changed my Life

Promoting Clinical Research Activities and Opportunities Locally – From OK to Ask to Research Changed my Life Mark Terry, Research Office, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust (m.terry@rbht.nhs.uk) 2013 has been notable for the strong momentum provided by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to NHS Trusts in our efforts to raise awareness of … Continue reading @RBandH Guest blog: Promoting Clinical Research Locally – From ‘OK to Ask’ to Research Changed my Life

Exclusive preview! UK clinical research gets its own TV show…..Downtown eat your heart out @NIHRCRN

So here's something to make your crumpet and jam just a bit more palatable on Sunday afternoon...Thanks to NIR CRN. This week Health Sector TV will be broadcasting a programme entitled ‘Clinical Research: Making Patients and the NHS Better.’ The blurb says that this is 'an important new documentary highlighting how the Clinical Research Network (as … Continue reading Exclusive preview! UK clinical research gets its own TV show…..Downtown eat your heart out @NIHRCRN

Do I detect a slight fumble of the ball in today’s Commons Select Committee report on clinical trials?

Not for the first time I was awake at 3am this morning. Cup of tea in hand, watching American football.  It's amazing how those players keep the ball when so many other players are piling on top of them.  Rarely do you see the thing break free.  They must practice for hours.... The House of Commons … Continue reading Do I detect a slight fumble of the ball in today’s Commons Select Committee report on clinical trials?

Take part in a live trial now as part of NIHR’s visit to the British Science Festival #NIHRCOMETtrial

I hope you'll forgive the fact that what follows is the news release but I am part of the team presenting with Jonathan Sheffield at next week's British Science Festival and I really couldn't put it better than this.  The 'live trial' is very exciting indeed and the first dip in the water for a … Continue reading Take part in a live trial now as part of NIHR’s visit to the British Science Festival #NIHRCOMETtrial

Survey: Cancer patients and research – the signage is there but not the opportunity to take part

You know how the story goes.  Cancer is way ahead of other conditions when it comes to patients having the opportunity to participate in clinical research.  But there's still lots of room for improvement. Today NHS England has announced the results of the annual National Cancer Patient Experience Survey.  Almost 70,000 patients took part in … Continue reading Survey: Cancer patients and research – the signage is there but not the opportunity to take part

It’s NIHR Friday: NHS Trust research activity stats published

You didn't think I'd forget NIHR Friday did you? So the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Networks Co-ordinating Centre (NIHR CRN CC), together with The Guardian online, has this week published its annual performance tables for research activity in each NHS Trust in England for 2012/13. You can find the figures for your local … Continue reading It’s NIHR Friday: NHS Trust research activity stats published