This GP Surgery is research active.
All NHS organisations are expected to support health and care research. Carrying out high-quality clinical research is vital - it helps us to keep improving treatments, and to provide patients with the best care.
You may be contacted about taking part in a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) study.
If you are asked to join an NIHR research study or trial, someone in your care team will look at your health records to see whether it is suitable for you to take part. You will then be contacted to ask if you are interested.
You do not have to take part in any research study, and are free to choose whether or not to get involved.
For more details about how your information may be used, please visit www.hra.nhs.uk/information-about-patients
For more information about the NIHR, please visit www.nihr.ac.uk
Lung Cancer
We're looking for people who've had imaging for suspected lung cancer, regardless of diagnosis or treatment to help improve the accuracy in earlier diagnosis of lung cancer.
What is it for?
A group led by the University of Oxford is planning a research study exploring whether a CT scan can diagnose lung cancer earlier than the chest x-ray currently performed when lung cancer is suspected.
As part of this research, the team is inviting people to join a patient and public involvement (PPI) advisory group.
What is the purpose of the PPI Advisory Group?
To ensure the experiences and views of those referred for chest imaging for suspected lung cancer, those diagnosed with lung cancer or their family members/carers are taken into account when planning and delivering this study.
What would be expected to do?
Members will be asked to attend up to 3 workshops, review documents being designed for study participants, join a study steering committee and help share the final study results. You can choose to take part in all or some of these activities.
Timeline/Tenure
The first workshop is expected to be held in June/July 2023, during the preparation of the final funding application to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
If funded, the study will start early 2024 and there will be an opportunity to continue participation in the PPI advisory group at that point.
Remuneration
You will receive payment for any time spent in these activities and travel expenses for any face to face meetings, although most of the work will be completed remotely.
Interested?
If you are interested and would like more information please contact the following:
j.rawlinson@justrealsolutions.com, anne.powell@oncology.ox.ac.uk, melissa.dobson@ndm.ox.ac.uk
CRN East of England website
ocal.nihr.ac.uk/lcrn/east-of-england
Helix Medical Centre (formerly Parsonage Surgery) Research Performance Dashboard: Research Performance Dashboard (PDF, 162KB)
During the period Sept 2018-Dec 2020, a team of researchers at the University of Manchester conducted a comprehensive study of the changing composition of the general practice workforce.
Funding from the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) Health Services and Delivery programme allowed researchers to conduct an in-depth case study at 5 GP practices, using interviews, observations with staff and surveys, and focus groups with patients to understand how things have changed as the workforce composition has changed. An online survey of Practice Managers also allowed them to explore why specific types of practitioners were employed.
Among the most prominent findings from this study, they discovered that a lot of background work is needed to make sure that practices are able to appropriately distribute the limitless variety and unpredictability of problems brought by patients. Processes need to be in place to ensure that each type of problem is allocated to a practitioner whose skills allow them to deal with it. In addition, practitioners need to have access to ad hoc advice and support from more experienced colleagues when unable to fully resolve the problem/s.
The processes of sorting and matching, as well as in-built flexibility to access support and advice, are not always clear to patients, particularly when their team is changing rapidly and they have limited information about what newer practitioners can do. Based on the findings, a short video was prepared that spells out how the general workforce is changing, explains the principles of ‘getting the right patient to the right practitioner’ through matching their problem with a practitioner’s skills or competencies, but also recognises the importance of immediate access to advice and support.
The video is readily accessible on YouTube. We feel it may prove of particular interest for individual patients and patient groups in explaining new appointment systems, new practitioners, etc. The video is available at youtu.be/-wEvQtgpkAE
MACRO STUDY / ENT study taking place at Addenbrookes
The MACRO Trial, which is part of a large programme of work funded by the government, aims to answer questions with a view to establishing guidelines that will allow for a greater consistency and effectiveness in the treatment of adult Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients within the NHS.
workstream2.themacroprogramme.org.uk/workstream-2-information/information-participants
The ERICA study - Electronic Risk Assessment for Cancer
Our practice is one of over 500 GP surgeries across England working with researchers at the University of Exeter on a large research study
The researchers are trying to find out if a new computer-based risk assessment tool can help to identify cancer earlier
Half of the GP surgeries will be given access to the risk assessment tool and half will not
We are taking part in the study
Patients may be contacted by us and invited to take part in the research to:
- Explore your experience of care
- Discuss your current health
- Look at the NHS services you are using
Chronic Lower Back Pain
Do you suffer from chronic lower back pain?
Opportunity to take part in the modulate-LBP research study, using minimally invasive implant technology in the treatment of lower back pain with no prior surgery.
You could be eligible if you have:
- Chronic predominant back pain (for over 12 months)
- Moderate or sever intensity (over 6/10 pain score)
- No previous spinal surgery
- Failed to respond to previous treatment
- Over 18 year old
For further details please contact the Pain Research Department at St Thomas’ Hospital:
Phone: 02071883237
Email: GST-TR.MODULATE-LBP@NHS.NET
Chronic Pain
Volunteers are needed to take pair in psychological research wihich aims to help explain distress and disability in chronic pain.
You may qualify if you:
- Suffer from chronic pain
- Are aged 18 and over
- Are English-speaking
To take part, read our information leaflet and complete the short screening-questionnaire or get in touch with us.
Contact us:
WITHIN Study
Warwick Sleep & Pain Lab
Withinstudy@warwick.ac.uk
Tel: 07385600421
Visit our webpage: warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/psych/research/lifespan/sleeplab/projects/within
Be Part Of Research
bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk
This site gives patients the opportunity to take part in trials that they may be interested in.
We are a research active practice & participate in research studies. If you are contacted in relation to a study & require further information, please contact the surgery reception team.
Current Studies
Studies we are currently taking part in are:
The Live Well with Parkinson’s (sponsored by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)
- To evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the “Live Well with Parkinson’s” facilitated self-management toolkit, which aims to enable personalised care for community-living people with Parkinson’s, to reduce disability and preventable hospital admissions and to improve quality of life.
- Target Audience: Involves people with Parkinson's & Carers
HipDyS: (Evaluation of aid to diagnosis for congenital dysplasia of the hip in general practice: controlled randomised trial)
The HipDyS study is a phase III randomised controlled trial, which aims to evaluate an aid to diagnosis in the form of a checklist, for developmental dysplasia of the hip in general practice, over a 24-month period for each study participant.
Why is the HipDyS study needed?
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common congenital abnormalities. Early diagnosis, before the age of 8 weeks, is very important because at this age splinting the hips is successful in 85% of cases. Infant hips are initially examined at birth, however this cannot always detect cases of DDH, therefore all infants undergo a second examination with their GP at 6-8 weeks of age. Despite both of these hip checks, 1-2 in 1000 children are still diagnosed late with DDH, at which point splinting is no longer successful.
Rather, an operation is required, with a higher risk for early hip replacement in adult life.
Gendius AI Development (National Institute for Health Research)
The aim of this work is to develop risk models to predict the occurrence of: cardiovascular, kidney, eye and foot complications in diabetic patients using routinely collected patient and clinical information. Through the development of prognostic models for the four key complications listed above, we will be able to provide early warnings for individuals most at risk and allow early preventative action from patients and caregivers.
DI-FACTO (Digital Facilitation in Primary Care – Ethnographic study)
The project is about digital facilitation & aims to understand more about the different ways that practices support their patients and carers in accessing and using online services. Through doing this the potential benefits and challenges associated with different digital facilitation activities can be explored.
Apple Tree Study
(Active Prevention in People at risk of dementia through Lifestyle, bEhaviour change and Technology to build REsiliEnce)
There is no current disease-modifying treatment for any common dementia, but there is evidence that lifestyle and psychological interventions can delay cognitive decline and prevent it. The study team wants to find out whether a low intensity, personally tailored intervention that targets older people with subjective memory decline, is flexible in delivery format and informed by best available behaviour change framework, can effectively reduce cognitive decline.
The study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness (in terms of reducing cognitive decline) of the APPLE-Tree intervention in individuals at high risk of dementia with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) at 24-month follow-up.
Education and management of PAD in primary care
To explore the educational experience of UK primary care health practitioners for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including identification of factors that shape their preferred learning style and assess health professionals opinions of PAD recognition and management.
Survey study - PCP Management of Paediatric Chronic Insomnia in Childhood
Explores how chronic insomnia in otherwise healthy children up to 5 is managed in primary care.
NIHR research on locum doctors in the NHS in England
The University of Manchester conducted an NIHR research project examining the use of locum doctors in the NHS in England. There is an increasing use of locum doctors who provide an important contribution to the medical workforce. It is hoped that the research findings will contribute to the development of future policy and practice.
National GP Worklife Survey
The National GP Worklife Survey has been running for 20 years and provides the only consistent national picture of the working lives of GPs and how it is changing over time. The survey is organised by Prof Kath Checkland, GP and Professor in Health Policy and Primary Care at the University of Manchester.
The summary findings are made available to the Department of Health, NHS England, the BMA, and the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body, as well as GPs themselves.
Previous Studies
Studies our patients have taken part in are:
Fluenz Tetra Safety Surveillance
The aim of this study is to collect more information on the safety of the intranasal flu vaccine Fluenz Tetra in children and adolescents to determine any changes in the frequency and severity of side effects compared to the previous year’s vaccination.
All Heart
(Allopurinol and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ischaemic heart disease) - Primary Objective is to determine whether the addition of allopurinol 600mg daily to usual therapy improves cardiovascular outcomes.
Time Study
(Treatment in Morning versus Evening Study) - A study to determine if antihypertensive therapy taken in the evening has improved cardiovascular outcomes compared with more conventional morning dosing.
Momms Study
Polypharmacy in chronic diseases: Reduction of Inappropriate Medication and Adverse drug events in elderly populations by electronic Decision Support / MoMMs trial (Management of Multiple Medications)
Ecass Study
Evaluation of a Computer Aid for assessing Stomach Symptoms
VBI Study
The objective of this trial is to obtain estimates of the efficacy and cost of a very brief pedometer-based intervention to promote physical activity in adults aged 40-74 years attending an NHS Health Check.
iQuit in Practice study
Improving quit rates among smokers in primary care with two parallel group randomised controlled. Aims/Objectives are to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the iQuit in Practice intervention compared with usual care alone in a definitive pragmatic trial with 6-month follow-up and biochemical verification of abstinence. Recruitment of 44 smokers - The study will ran from 01/04/2016 to 01/03/2019
Learning about the lives of adults on the autism spectrum and their relatives - Observational Questionnaire/Survey
Aims and Objectives of study
There is a lack of evidence about effective interventions and no research knowledge regarding the impact of the relationship between ageing and autism.
This study is the first of its kind in the UK for adults with autism spectrum conditions, as part of a programme of research into ASD across the life course. Experts in ageing and life course, experienced autism researchers, and people on the autism spectrum and relatives will undertake this project. This study will involve engagement with people on the autism spectrum, their parents, siblings and partners, and meeting and discussing with them to understand much more about how living on the spectrum affects people’s daily lives as they age.
Recruitment in practice
Anticipated recruitment of 30 patients - recruitment up to June 2017.
Best3 Study
Barrett’s oESophagus Trial 3 (BEST3): Cluster randomised controlled trial comparing the CytospongeTM-TFF3 test with usual care to facilitate the diagnosis of oesophageal pre-cancer in primary care.
STILTS2
A study examining the common and rare variants associated with thinness - patients aged 18 to 65, case-controlled study
Aims and Objectives
Genetic factors play a major role in determining the susceptibility to severe obesity and several genes have been identified in the last 10 years by the team in Cambridge.
At the other end of the weight spectrum, there are people who are persistently thin despite living in an obesity promoting environment. Thinness (BMI<18kg/m2) is as stable and heritable as severe obesity. However, to date no genetic studies have been conducted in thin people.
The aim of this study (STILTS2) is to recruit a substantial cohort of thin people for genetic studies.
JOIN DEMENTIA RESEARCH 2024/25
'Join Dementia Research' is a service supported by Helix Medical Centre enabling people to take part in vital dementia research. Anyone over 18 can register whether they have a diagnosis of dementia or not. For more information visit
https://www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/