Case study: Taking part in stroke research: Paul's story

Paul New was invited to take part in a study at High Wycombe’s Wycombe Hospital, managed by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which aims to reduce the risk of recurrent strokes.

Paul, 69, has been taking part in the CONVINCE study since suffering a stroke in 2018. The study compares taking anti-inflammatory medication colchicine, which blocks proteins in the blood that aid inflammation, to standard care.

Paul, a retired sales executive for an office supplies company from Maidenhead, Berkshire said: “On the morning of the stroke, I felt awful, absolutely drained. I drove to an appointment with a customer and when I got there, I just couldn’t get my words out. I was so confused and couldn’t think straight.

“I went home and it was a good thing that my daughter Jo was in. She called my son John and he called 999. It was at Wycombe Hospital that they said I’d had quite a big stroke.

“When I was first recovering from the stroke, I felt very slow. I had always been very active and suddenly I couldn’t keep up with conversations with my friends. Now, a few years on, I feel like I’m back to my old self again. The only thing I have trouble with is my handwriting.”

The grandfather-of-one, who took colchicine, said: “I’m more than happy to take the extra medication and if it benefits anyone else, that has to be a good thing. The whole thing has been like clockwork, I couldn't speak highly enough of the trial team.”

The CONVINCE trial is an international trial in which the UK has been the highest recruiting country, providing half of the overall number of participants.

Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers at Be Part of Research.