Details of 27 studies that patients are part of, as well as how to get involved in similar opportunities, will be available at a special research focus at Walsall Manor Hospital this week.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Research Team, which is part of the Faculty of Research and Clinical Education (FORCE), is setting up a stand aimed at encouraging more staff to get involved in this important area of work as well as raising awareness for potential participants.
Rob Chadwick, Senior Research Nurse at the Trust, said: “We’re really proud to have such a healthy number of studies open here in Walsall.
“Examples include the TRACK study, which is a global commercial study focusing on patients with hyperkalaemia (HK), which is a condition where patients have too much potassium in their blood.
“Dr Huda Mahmoud, Consultant in Nephrology, is leading this with support from Dr Rumi Jaumdally Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Research Practitioner Ben Jones. Walsall is one of 95 sites across Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and the US, and the aim is to recruit 1,250 patients across the world. This study has made fantastic progress in Walsall with the 20th patient recruited – double our original target!”
AD-REAL- Is a dermatology study, led by Dr Viktoria Eleftheriadou and Data Officer Jade Holmes. This observational study is aimed at patients who have atopic dermatitis.
Rob said: “Collecting information about the patient’s treatment of their atopic dermatitis over a 24-month period will help clinicians to treat and manage this condition effectively in future. That’s the wonderful thing about research – what people are doing today is going to help others tomorrow. Research can be life changing.”
Nine studies are currently in a ‘set up’ phase meaning they are soon to be live to recruit patients.
Tasmin Akhtar, Nursing Associate, added: “We are constantly working to raise awareness around clinical research and encourage more studies to be open within the Trust, allowing more opportunities for patients. Many people don’t realise that they can take part in a research trial without having a condition, and not all trials involve medication. We look forward to talking all things research with our own colleagues and the public.”
The stand will be near Costa Coffee in the hospital on Wednesday 6 September, between 11am and 1pm.