Research changes lives - and there are lots of opportunities to take part right here in Greater Manchester. It is through research that we develop better treatments, and improve diagnosis, prevention, care and quality of life for everyone.
Every minute in the UK, someone is diagnosed with a disease or a condition. The treatment and support they will receive will, at some point, have been informed by research. Whether it’s testing a new medicine, a new surgery procedure or scan, or trying healthier lifestyle choices to prevent disease, everyone has an important role to play – if they want to.
There are lots of different types of research. Research usually involves examining and observing people with different conditions and sometimes comparing them with people who don't have the condition. It can also involve research on samples of blood or other tissues, or tests such as scans or X-rays. Sometimes it might involve surveys or interviews.
You can ask your doctor, nurse or healthcare professional about clinical trials or other health and care studies that you may be suitable for. Or, you can use one of the NIHR’s online services to find a study you can take part in:
Be Part of Research is an NIHR service that makes it easy for the public to learn about and search for research studies. Discover how research studies are designed, what happens when you decide to take part and the importance of taking part. You can:
Once you’ve found a study, you can see all the details including who to contact and ask to take part. Whether you have been diagnosed with a condition or not, everyone can take part in research. Find a study that’s right for you.
Join Dementia Research is an NIHR nationwide service helping to accelerate vital dementia research in the UK. Working like a matchmaking service, simply register your details and a researcher will be in touch when an appropriate study becomes available.
People with dementia or memory problems, their carers and anyone who is interested can sign up. You can sign up online, over the phone or by post.
Dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face today. The number of people with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and other types of dementia, is set to double over the next 30 years.
Research offers hope. It is only through research that we can understand what causes the disease, develop effective treatments, improve care and hopefully one day find a cure. But for research to progress we need more people to take part in more studies.
Here in Greater Manchester, we have a unique service called Research for the Future.
It is an NHS-supported campaign that helps people find out about and take part in health and care research in and around the region.
Everyone is welcome to register, whether you have a health condition or not. The only requirement is that you are 18 years or over. Registering means you will be informed about research opportunities that are relevant to you.
Research for the Future has a number of areas of particular interest that are promoted via their ‘Help BEAT’ campaigns. Current campaigns include:
You can register your details and join the campaign now.
Contact: 0161 206 3636 research.future@srft.nhs.uk
Write to:
Research for the Future
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
1st floor, Summerfield House
Stott Lane
Salford, M6 8HD
26 January 2023
The study is looking at how strongly babies can be protected from serious illness due to RSV infection, by giving them a single dose of nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody immunisation.
22 December 2022
Victoria Gibson is experiencing severe physical and mental effects of Long Covid. She is calling on others to be part of research into the condition.
25 July 2022
A mum-of-two from Greater Manchester has explained why she took part in the largest study of anxiety and depression ever undertaken.
20 July 2022
The Genes and Health Study is open to all people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage living in Greater Manchester
12 July 2022
"I've given a saliva sample and hopefully that should be useful to look at all the samples and compare them with other people from ethnic backgrounds.”
Research is a partnership between participant and researcher. So every year we ask people who volunteered for health research to feedback on their experience so we can make improvements via our Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES).
The questionnaire is conducted to understand more about the experiences of clinical research participants across our region. All responses are anonymous. Through the survey, we strive to give as many research participants as possible the chance to feedback on what went well for them and what could be improved.
The adult survey for 2022/23 is now open. Anyone who has taken part in a clinical research study in Greater Manchester is welcome to complete the survey. Take part now.
New for 2022, we have also introduced surveys for children nought to six-years-old, seven to 11-years-old, and 12 to 15-years-old.
We recently finished our 2021/22 adult survey. Over 2,090 participants in Greater Manchester completed the survey. More than 92% of our local research participants said would take part in research again.
Recurring themes in our participant comments are that they had an exceptional experience courtesy of our staff, and that they are proud to be contributing to research that could make a difference to future patients or help tackle a specific health or care need.
Comments from participants included:
"All the staff were very helpful, knowledgeable and caring. I felt safe in their care."
"From the moment I arrived, I was made to feel welcome and valued. All my questions were answered and explained. Without exception, every member of staff has been kind and attentive."
"I feel proud to know that I am helping to advance medical science."
"It was a very positive feeling to know that my contribution would somehow help in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic."
Please contact our team on learning.lcrnsnorthwest@nihr.ac.uk
Patients, carers and the public are essential to our work. We could not do our work without their help and involving the public in our work is one of our key priorities.
A Research Champion is someone who promotes health and social care research from a patient's point of view. They could be a patient, service user, carer or member of the public who is enthusiastic about health research and wants to raise awareness amongst the public and healthcare professionals.
A key part of a Research Champion’s role is sharing their experience of being part of research. You can read a detailed description of the different things the role can involve.
Norman Hesketh-Hart enjoys being a Research Champion and is an active member of the scheme in Greater Manchester. He says:
"Being a Research Champion allows me to give something back by raising awareness of research. The more people who take part in research the better, because we are helping future generations."
Norman has told his full story about why he became a Research Champion.
We are always looking to add to our group of local Research Champions in Greater Manchester. If you would like to become a champion or have a casual chat about what the role entails and how you can help, we would love to hear from you.
Please contact our team on learning.lcrnsnorthwest@nihr.ac.uk
We have launched a new online course called ‘What is Health Research?’ Learners can complete the three-week course at their own pace. It is aimed at patients, public, carers and anyone with a keen interest in learning more about the world of health research.
