Driving healthcare research across Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Research teams from NHS organisations across Herefordshire and Worcestershire have launched a study exploring ways to increase the number of people getting involved in research.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, together with Wye Valley NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have received joint funding from Clinical Research Network West Midlands aimed at increasing awareness of, and engagement with healthcare research.
The teams support a wide range of studies into different physical and mental health conditions, such as COVID-19, anxiety, depression, dementia, complex neurology, dietetics, and musculoskeletal conditions.
The success of their studies is heavily reliant on the involvement of patients and local people sharing their experiences and symptoms.
The teams are currently undertaking a project to find out if having a mobile research unit would be achievable, effective, and beneficial to people across the two counties.
Such a vehicle could be used to take research studies into various neighbourhoods across the counties, saving people time and money attending studies which would normally be in a hospital or NHS clinic.
Sam Topping, Research and Development Manager at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said: “Having a mobile research unit will enable more of our local population to get involved in research and help improve future care and treatments for all patients.”
“What we’ve found so far is that a vehicle shared with other health providers may be a better use of resources, and we are exploring opportunities with our partners to make that happen.”
“Health research has led to the development of many lifesaving vaccines and treatments, only made possible with the continued involvement of patients and members of our communities”
This is one of many projects which Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and Wye Valley NHS Trust are working on together.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust regularly invites participation from the local public in such research studies.
The Research and Development Team at the Trust are also inviting the public to ask questions and enquire about the ongoing research through email: WHCNHS.ResearchDevelopment@nhs.net