All NHS organisations are expected to participate and support health and care research. Conducting high-quality clinical research helps us to keep improving NHS care by finding out which treatments work best.

Our research team may look at your health records to check whether you are suitable to take part in a research study before asking you whether you are interested or sending you a letter on behalf of the researcher. For more information about how your information may be used in research and your rights, please visit www.hra.nhs.uk/information-about-patients.

Research in the NHS helps us increase our knowledge about human health and wellbeing so we can:

• Develop life changing treatments
• Diagnose disease earlier and more accurately
• Prevent people from developing conditions
• Improve health and care for future generations
• Improve quality of life for all people

You may be approached by the practice about a study if you meet the eligibility criteria for the trial. We have undertaken studies for patients with a number of conditions including stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as for indigestion and reflux. If you do receive an invitation to take part in a study the research team are very happy to talk to you about the study in more detail and provide further information if you are interested in taking part.

Our patients tell us they like being part of research. Here are some examples of comments that have been received from our research participants from the 2021/22 CRN East of England Participant Research Experience Survey:

• It’s worthwhile and helps future research
• Not only will it potentially help me but many other and will reduce NHS costs
• I felt my participation was valued

The intent of the trial, the need for volunteers and the appreciation of my stepping up made it a positive experience.

CPRD Application

Suffolk Primary Care are in the process of applying to join the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). Please be advised that following a 28 days period from Monday 15th August 2022 all Suffolk Primary Care practices will automatically join the CPRD. More information.

Research Suffolk Primary Care is currently involved in:

• STATIC: Stopping aminosalicylate therapy in Inactive crohn’s disease.
• PRODEMOS: Prevention of Dementia using Mobile phone Applications
• The Active Brains Study
• ATTACK: Aspirin to target arterial events in Chronic Kidney Disease
• GLoW: Glucose Lowering through Weight management
• SAFER: Screening for Atrial Fibrillation with ECG to Reduce stroke
• Immune Defence Study: Reducing respiratory infections in Primary Care
• APPLE-TREE: Active prevention in people at risk of dementia through lifestyle behaviour change and technology to build resilience
• HIS UK: Promoting condom use enjoyment and skills among young men
• Vapeline
• Pilot Heart Rhythm Project

More ways to get involved with research

Be part of research’ helps you find out about health and social care research that is taking place across the UK and provides opportunities to take part in research.

Website: www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk

Dementia affects more than 850,000 people in the UK. Research is the best way to make a difference. Registering with Join Dementia Research is the first step to getting involved in supporting research studies across the UK.

Anyone over the age of 18 can sign up, including:

• People with dementia or memory problems
• Carers for people with dementia or memory problems
• Anyone else who is interested

Website: www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk