Each year between over 6,000 patients take part in a research project at MTW.
By taking part in research, you could get access to new drugs and treatments that your care provider believes may benefit you. Patients often tell us that taking part in research gives them a better understanding of their condition and the possible treatments, and helps them feel they are contributing to the development of tomorrow’s treatments.
If you would like more information about joining a research project and perhaps would like to meet people who have previously been recruited to a research project, please contact either the Patient Research Champion or the Research and Innovation department on telephone 01622 225627.
Why have I been invited to join a research project?
Joining a research project may allow you to access the latest drugs and treatments which your care provider believes will help you.
Sometimes, you may be invited to join a trial to compare you to someone who is not on a trial so we can discover how well different treatments work.
Or, we might be inviting you to join a trial so we can seek your views and opinions on things such as drugs, treatments and interventions. This is usually done to find out how well something is working over a longer period.
Ask about trials open to you
It is not just doctors who do research; lots of staff in different roles lead on and deliver research projects. If you’re interested in taking part in a research project or think you would benefit from participating, please speak to your care provider. This may be a doctor, nurse or therapist.
If your care provider is not involved, they will put you in touch with a member of staff who is.
Alternatively, you can speak to a member of staff in the Research and Innovation department, where research professionals including nurses, laboratory staff, pharmacists and therapists can discuss your individual situation.
Become a Patient Research Champion
If you are interested in research, would like to volunteer at your local hospital and can give just a few hours of time a week, you may be interested in becoming a Patient Research Champion.
Working with existing volunteers, you will support to patients involved in research trials. You will also be part of a team dedicated to promoting the importance of research to healthcare providers and the wider public.
To find out more contact Frances Mossie, Lead Patient Research Champion, at frances.mossie@nhs.net or telephone 01622 228728.
Take part in research focus groups and design meetings
A good research project is only as good as the planning that goes into its creation.
It is good practice to involve patients and/or members of the public in the research planning process. If you’re interested in joining a focus group to help design research trials, then please let us know.
You could help to design research in an area of healthcare that matters to you, or you can choose to support a variety of projects.
Tell us where you would like to see more research
If you would like to see us undertake research in a particular area that we currently do not look at, please let us know. It may be a particular disease area or new innovation, or something you may have seen in another hospital.
If you have a suggestion then please speak to your care provider or to a member of the Research and Innovation team.