Supporting Research in Primary Care. Research is essential in working out which treatments work better for patients and The Scott Practice actively supports clinical research studies within primary care, led by Dr Slattery.
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.
In 2006, the Department of Health set up the National Institute for Health Research to create a world-class health system within the NHS, and the Clinical Research Network is part of this wider organisation. The Scott Practice participates in research activities under the CRN.
To find out more about the work of the NIHR Clinical Research Network go to www.crn.nihr.ac.uk
What is Primary Care Research?
The CRN Primary Care speciality works in collaboration with researchers and primary care practitioners such as GP’s, practice nurses, pharmacists and dentists to promote the successful delivery of research studies in the NHS. A wide range of research studies are supported which look at:
- Promoting a healthier lifestyle
- Disease diagnosis and prevention
- Management of long-term illnesses such as 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 access to 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?
There are many various ways a patient can become involved in studies:
- 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
- Please note: the funding for our research activity is via the CRN so does not come out of the practice's own budget and therefore does not affect our patients' services
All clinical research carried out 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.
If you have any queries about research at the practice please contact syicb.doncaster-reception@nhs.net
NHS England COVID-19 analysis service
The OpenSAFELY COVID-19 research service provides a secure analytics service that supports COVID-19 research, COVID-19 clinical audit, COVID-19 service evaluation and COVID-19 health surveillance purposes.
Under the COVID-19 Public Health Directions 2020 NHS England has been directed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to establish and operate the OpenSAFELY service. While each GP practice remains the data controller of its own patient data, they are required under the provisions of s259 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to provide access to de-identified (pseudonymised) patient data through the OpenSAFELY service.
The service enables individuals (academics, analysts and data scientists) approved by NHS England to run queries on pseudonymised GP and NHS England patient data which is held within the GP system suppliers’ data environments. Controls are in place to ensure that individuals only have access to aggregated outputs from the service (i.e. they cannot access information that either directly or indirectly identifies individuals).