Acle Medical Partnership is proud to participate in research. It does this in conjunction with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) The NIHR designs, develops and supports research into healthcare in the UK. The East of England Research Development Network is one of a family of NIHR national research networks working together with primary care and the NIHR to create more opportunities for more patients to be involved in research.
Research cannot happen without your help. Taking part may not always help you directly, but you will be helping to develop services and treatments for future generations. If you are asked to take part in a research project, please consider getting involved, but do read the following information which explains more about research at the practice.
What is the purpose of Primary Care Research and what forms can it take?
Research is used to find the causes of diseases, find better treatments and services for those diseases and improve patient care. Conducting high-quality clinical research helps us to keep improving NHS care by finding out which treatments work best.
If you are asked about taking part in research, usually someone in the care team looking after you will contact you. People in your care 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.
Research studies help to answer specific questions about health and health care. For example:
- Whether new treatments or ways of organising services are effective (do they work?)
- Whether those treatments or services are cost-effective (do they give value for money?)
- How different health problems develop and progress over time – to help gain a better understanding of that health problem
- The views of patients and health professionals about a particular treatment, intervention or service and how they might be improved
The results of research studies can be of interest to patients and useful to health professionals and managers in the NHS in helping to decide what treatments and services to provide in future.
Should I be worried about my personal information being shared without my knowledge?
No. No researcher will be given access to your health records for research without your consent.
Where possible all data collected from you for research purposes will be coded with a number rather than your name.
Everyone who has access to your records, or any of your details for research, is bound by a strict code of conduct to keep your data confidential. We take research very seriously. We are committed to developing our services based on the best research evidence there is so that we can offer the best care and treatment to the people of Norfolk.
Is participating in research optional?
- Yes. Taking part in research is voluntary. You do not have to take part and you can change your mind at any time – you do not need to give a reason.
- Before a research project starts it is looked at by various organisations to make sure it is OK for you to take part. These include the NHS Research Ethics Committee and the NHS organisation responsible for your care. They make sure that any risks have been looked at, that the study is of value to patients and the NHS, and that it respects the rights, safety and wellbeing of those taking part.
- They also review projects regularly after they have started to make sure they continue to be safe.
- Your care will not be affected if you are decide not to take part in any research study offered to you by the surgery. If you say yes and then change your mind at a later time this is absolutely fine.
How to take part in research
There are different ways that patients can become involved in studies our practice is participating in.
- A doctor or nurse may talk to you about the study and ask whether you would consider taking part.
- You will be sent information through the post or via SMS text message if we feel that you might be a suitable participant.
- You may read information on the website about a current study and wish to take part by contacting the practice.
There are various means of conducting research, for example:
- Completing a questionnaire (often patients are invited by text message)
- Requesting the use of your anonymised data
- Taking part in an interview
- Testing new treatments, therapies or devices
- Experiencing new combinations of treatments.
You will not be asked to take part in a large number of studies. Most researchers are very specific about the criteria that people need to meet in order to enter their study. Usually this means that only a relatively small number of patients at the practice will be suitable for any one study.
Current (& previous) studies at the practice
- INDIGO: Anyone over the age of 16 who has been diagnosed with any type of cancer in the past 12 months can participate. This study looks at how people who had treatment for cancer have experienced their care and how it has affected their lives afterwards.
We may have several research studies running and from time to time; we may write, message or phone you to ask if you are interested in being involved with a specific study. We would also appreciate you keeping a watch on the website and/or notice boards in the surgery for studies you may wish to find out more about and/or participate in. For some of the studies you can contact the study team directly but if you are interested you should contact your surgery initially.
Research Ready Accreditation
Organisations carrying out research in the NHS usually have to be accredited with Research Ready Status. Please find our accreditation certificate here.