Demonstrating how patients are helping to improve the NHS on International Clinical Trials Day

International Clinical Trials’ Day is celebrated around the world on or about 20th May each year to commemorate the day in 1747 that James Lind started his famous clinical trial to compare different treatments for scurvy.

Events take place all over the world and provide a focal point for promoting clinical research. This year Kent & Medway Comprehensive Local Research Network will be celebrating the day by highlighting the important role that patients and members of the public can play in helping to shape health research. 

Clinical research helps to improve treatments and healthcare for NHS patients and by taking part in clinical research patients are supporting and driving those improvements. There are lots of different ways that patients can get involved.Myrna Gray, a patient representative from East Kent who has been involved with health research for some time has taken part in a short video to tell people about how important patient and public involvement is and to encourage other people to get involved with health research. Myrna says

Since becoming involved in health research I realise more and more that research is not just done in a lab by people in white coats. At the heart of research is the patient/carer experience, each individual’s ‘story’. We are all connected like a web so it is important to remember that today’s treatment was yesterday’s trial. There are many ways to get involved. Each one of us has something to offer. I have found it interesting, challenging and rewarding.” 

In the film Myrna talks about her experiences of being actively involved in health research. The video also features Dr Claire Butler from the Pilgrim’s Hospice, Canterbury who describes how she has involved patients and members of the public in her recent palliative care research project, and Dr David Smithard, Clinical Director of Kent & Medway Comprehensive Local Research Network who explains the positive impact of patient and public involvement in health research.

The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world-class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

Contact

Kent & Medway Comprehensive Local Research Network 01634 382875.

Dr David Smithard, Clinical Director Kent & Medway Comprehensive Local Research Network via his secretary Charlie Winter on 01233 667932 or email charlie.winter@nhs.net