A new website (www.patientsactiveinresearch.org.uk) has been launched to promote patient involvement in research by `match making’ patients, carers and other members of the public who are interested in medical research with researchers working in hospitals and universities across the Thames Valley.
Patients, carers and other members of the public can play a vital role in medical research. By working as partners with researchers, they can help to ensure that research focuses on what matters to patients, is carried out in ways that feel right for them and the results made public to all who can benefit.
Some of the opportunities are open to those with specific conditions, such as cancer, heart disease or mental health problems, while others are open to all.
Dr Sophie Petit-Zeman, Director of Patient Involvement, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) explained that the website’s main aim is to link up researchers with patients and others who want to support the planning of research and help inform how it is done. She said: “We know that this can make research more relevant for patients, which has to be its ultimate aim. Having a route through which “matchmaking” is made easier is a really important step.”
When logging on to the website visitors are invited to register their details on a form to be sent regular updates as new opportunities for involvement arise. They can also search the growing database for projects of interest, without registering.
Many researchers have already put information about their projects on the site, but more are being added all the time.
Dr Petit-Zeman added: “We hope that by Valentine’s Day we will have made some successful matches between researchers and patients, carers and others keen to help ensure that medical research in our region is as good as it can be, and truly aimed at patient benefit.”
Notes to editors:
- patientsactiveinresearch.org.uk is supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centrewhich is a partnership between the research expertise of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Oxford. Its main aim is to enable clinical research for patient benefit and foster innovation to improve healthcare. It is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), and conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients.
- For more information contact Dr Sophie Petit-Zeman, Director of Patient Involvement [email protected] Direct phone: 01732 751524 Mobile: 07799 764475
The list of hospitals involved in the project are:
Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Heatherwood and Wexham Park NHS Foundation Trust
Milton Keynes Community Health Services
Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust