Clinical research happens in most of our hospital departments. At any given time, we have lots of different trials taking place, from observational studies that involve an interview about your condition and experiences, through to testing medicines at different stages of approval.
Each new treatment goes through strict testing before it is offered to patients. This involves laboratory work and then testing through a clinical trial. The whole process can take years and many routine treatments now in use were developed this way.
How can I get involved?
In hospital
If you’re currently under the care of Newcastle Hospitals, you might be offered the opportunity to take part in clinical research.
If you are interested in taking part, please speak to the clinical team providing your treatment. You’ll be able to talk to doctors and the research team about details of the trial – the kind of treatment, possible side effects, and what extra tests might come as part of being involved.
Written information will be provided, to take home and inform your decision or any further questions. Patients taking part in clinical trials are allowed to leave the trial at any time and don’t have to give a reason.
Not taking part won’t impact on the care you’re currently receiving. You can leave a clinical trial at any point.
Outside of hospital
Many patients with common long-term conditions are supported in the community, either by their GP or through self-care, with only occasional or infrequent hospital visits.
But research into trials to improve treatment for common conditions such as migraine, back pain, moderate asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, depression and common skin conditions, remains crucially important.
The NIHR Patient Recruitment Centre: Newcastle has been specifically established to recruit more patients from local communities to take part in ‘late phase’ (phase 3 or 4) clinical trials.
With a bespoke specialist facility, run by a dedicated team of experienced researchers and clinicians, the centre provides dedicated facilities for trials.
The team collaborates with experienced specialist consultants and the wider clinical research community across the region, to complement research taking place at earlier stages.
Links with local GP practices, primary care networks and patients are central to the successful recruitment of participants for trials.
The team want to reach a diverse range of people from across the region and welcome GP referrals as well as direct enquiries from patients if a trial is relevant.
For general enquiries, please email nuth.PRCnewcastle@nhs.net
People can register their interest in taking part in a trial through the Research+Me registry
Alternatively email nuth.researchstudies@nhs.net or speak to one of our nurses:
Telephone: 0191 282 3655 or 0191 282 3979
