NIHR campaign salutes TrialBlazers in West of England
To coincide with the International Clinical Trials Day today (May 20th), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has launched TrialBlazers - a campaign that recognises the life-changing contribution participants make to health and care research.
An incredible 84,691 participants across the West of England volunteered to take part in clinical research studies in 2021/22. Participants in the region were recruited into a total of 596 studies, with 46,538 participants volunteering in COVID-19 related studies.
Ifan Jones, Chief Operating Officer for the CRN WE, said:
“As part of this year’s TrailBlazers campaign, we’re celebrating the community of research volunteers who take part in and support studies in the West of England. By volunteering in research, participants help people live healthier and better lives, now and in the future. I’d like to give a huge thanks to everyone who has taken part in research, without your generosity the vital research that we do would not be possible.
“We know research staff are a huge part of the participant experience and we regularly hear feedback about how helpful and friendly the staff are. On behalf of the CRN WE, I would also like to extend our thanks to all the research teams in the region for their incredible hard work during another difficult year.”
ICTD commemorates the first randomised clinical trial by Scottish physician James Lind. On 20 May 1747 he ran a study to ascertain what treatment - including citrus fruit - would best cure scurvy in sailors, which was a leading cause of death for sailors at the time.
Anyone can get involved in health research. Find out which research studies you can be involved in and how you can take part in research by visiting the Be Part of Research website.
