We work with patients and healthy volunteers to develop better tests, treatments and ways of working in the NHS, public health and social care. Find out how to get involved in our research in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire below.
Clinical research is taking place at every major NHS hospital throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire, as well as many GP surgeries.
If you're a member of the public and would like to know more about research, here's how you can find out more:
Research studies may involve:
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.
Be Part of Research is a 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.
Register with Join Dementia Research so that you can be told when a study starts in your area and the researchers are looking for people just like you. There's no obligation to take part in any study, but by registering, you’ll find out when new opportunities become available. The service is delivered in partnership by the NIHR, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland.
16 April 2024
Bea Hanington, who has Muckle-Wells syndrome, an autoinflammatory disease that causes fever, skin rash and joint and abdominal pain, joined a study to help research into childhood disease.
16 April 2024
Researchers were able to explain why Tiffany Mann has global developmental delay, a severe learning disability, thanks to her involvement in a study.
11 December 2023
Oxford’s Byron Alderman took part in the University of Oxford’s Molecular Pathways of Ocular Inflammatory Disease study into the underlying causes of inflammation in people with uveitis.
29 November 2023
Faringdon's Tony Pidgeon took part in the DIAMOND study into the impact of diet for people with type-2 diabetes.
29 November 2023
Oxford's John Beauclerk is taking part in the EVOKE trial into whether a weight loss drug can help people with early Alzheimer's disease.
Research Champions are members of the public who volunteer their time to spread the word about health and care research to the public and help healthcare staff understand more about the experiences of those who take part in research. Find out more about the programme in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire and how to get involved on our Research Champions website.
