Research Practice

Research is essential to find out which treatments work better for patients.

It plays an important role in discovering new treatments and making sure that we use existing treatments in the best possible ways. Research can find answers to things that are unknown, filling gaps in knowledge and changing the way that healthcare professionals work.

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 (NIHR) to improve the health and wealth of the nation through Research.

The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) was introduced to provide the infrastructure to the NHS to allow high quality research to be set up and delivered efficiently and effectively. Hedge End Medical Centre is part of a network of local practices participating in research activities under the banner of CRN Wessex.
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 at in research?
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 or the Research Nurse.

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.

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.

Research Projects

Hedge End Medical Centre Research Projects

Research on Lyme Disease

Blackthorn Health Centre Research Projects

Blackthorn Health Centre takes part in Research projects which we feel will be a benefit to our patients.

As Blackthorn Health Centre is a research practice, you may be invited to any eligible research project. Please note, all research projects are appropriately reviewed by our clinical team before any decision is made to take part in them. However, if you wish to opt-out of any of these projects, please inform us.

ATHENA Shingles Study

ATHENA Shingles Study

Use of Amitriptyline medication to prevent nerve pain following a Shingles rash.

ATTACK Study

ATTACK Study

Taking daily low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of a first heart attack or stroke for those patients with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).

DEFINE Study

DEFINE Study

To find out whether care can be improved for people with asthma using a breath test called FeNO.

Determining the Effectiveness of a FeNO-guided asthma management INtervEntion in primary care (DEFINE) is a research study conducted by the University of Oxford.

Its aim is to help health care professionals in GP surgeries provide a more personalised approach to managing patients’ asthma by using FeNO to guide decisions about their treatment.

FeNO stands for Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and is measured using a simple breath test.

Nitric oxide is a gas which everyone breathes out. People with inflamed airways breathe out more nitric oxide than people whose airways are not inflamed. These patients are more likely to have an asthma attack if their inflammation remains untreated.

FeNO is already measured in patients with severe asthma who are seen in hospital clinics. However, very few GP surgeries routinely use FeNO to help them monitor treatment.

A copy of the FeNO Patient Booklet can be found below:

ELSA Study

ELSA Study

To screen children aged 3-13 years old for Type 1 Diabetes.

Any child aged 3-13 years can do a simple finger stick blood test (much like the one they had when they were a baby) to find out their risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the future.

The ELSA study aims to find children at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes because the sooner we screen, the sooner we can intervene.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong and serious condition. Around the world, research studies are screening children for type 1 diabetes, so that we can find children at risk of the condition before they become unwell. This gives us the opportunity to test new treatments that could delay the start of type 1 diabetes.

Immune Defence Study (IDS)

Immune Defence Study (IDS)

The Immune Defence Study (IDS) is a research programme managed by the University of Southampton.

Its aim is to to see if nasal sprays, getting active and reducing stress help people get fewer and less severe infections such as flu, colds and similar respiratory infections.

How do I take Part?

Eligible patients will be invited via SMS in March 2023. Once you have received the invitation SMS message:

  • Sign up to the Survey using the link within the invitation SMS. You will then receive an email with a unique PARTICIPANT CODE.
  • Please go to www.immunedefencestudy.org.
  • The first time you visit the website you will need to SIGN UP (rather than log in). You will only need to sign up once.
  • When you sign up you will be asked to enter your name, your PARTICIPANT CODE, your email address and to create a password. (After you have signed up, you will use your email address and password whenever you log in.)
  • After you have signed up you will be asked a few questions so we can make sure the study is right for you. You will find out straight away if you are able to take part.