Take part in research at Patient Recruitment Centre: Blackpool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View the transcript for the video 'Participant experiences at the national Patient Recruitment Centres (PRCs)' here


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 discovered by research. Research improves the health and social care provided by the NHS and others, advancing medicine to find new cures and better treatments for future generations. It also helps to improve diagnosis, prevention and quality of life for everyone. In some cases it can change lives, or even save lives.

Blackpool is in the top 20% of deprived areas in England. In some areas of Blackpool the life expectancy is 12.3 years lower for men and 10.1 years lower for women, than the national average. Developing and improving healthcare through research is vital to improve public health, medicines and treatments provided by our NHS.

Each year the host of PRC: Blackpool, based at Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, runs over 100 high quality clinical research studies. These are led by experienced research-active NHS clinicians who provide day-to-day care for NHS patients across a wide range of diseases and conditions.

“All the staff were friendly and professional and put me at ease. I am recognised when I return to the clinic which is really nice. Having questions, if the person I have asked didn’t know, they not only found out, but put me onto a doctor to make sure I have understood everything and happy to continue.”

Alex; a patient from PRC: Blackpool who took part in a late-phase Covid-19 Vaccine study in 2020.

Our Patient Research Experience survey in 2019, 90% of over 850 patients said they had a good experience of taking part in research, which was 6% higher than the national result (PRES Survey results from NW Coast area.

Frequently asked questions


Do I have to take part?

The simple answer is no. Taking part in research is entirely voluntary. You must be told about the study, given an information sheet and have time to think about the study in order for you to decide if you would like to take part. The researcher will provide you with all the necessary information and they will answer all your questions. You can leave the study at any time.

If you decide not to take part in clinical research or leave the study early your NHS treatment will not be affected and you will continue to be looked after like any other patient.

Is clinical research safe?

All drugs, including the ones we routinely prescribe to patients, may have side effects. In clinical research potential risks are carefully balanced against the benefits. Studies are designed to keep risks to a minimum and patients are closely monitored.

What are the benefits for me?

The reasons for people taking part in a study vary. Taking part in research is perceived by some people as ‘giving something back’ to benefit others in the future. Other people feel that they personally benefit from the treatment and drugs provided and are reassured by the close medical monitoring and check-ups provided by the researchers.

What will happen to me in a clinical research study?

Every study is carefully planned to investigate something specific, therefore the duration of the study and the investigations, tests will vary. It is likely that you will need to attend the Patient Recruitment Centre located at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  for clinic and/or follow-up visits. Please rest assured that everything required will be clearly explained to you before you agree to take part in a trial.

Where can I get further information?

If you are interested in taking part in clinical research please get in touch:

You can also:

Related pages

External links