Research at the Alliance Medical Group

The Alliance Medical Group is research-active and you may be invited by post or text message to take part in a clinical research project. This is completely optional and it is your decision whether to take part or not.

If you decline an invitation, your care will not be affected in any way. We will always respect your choice. You have the right to let us know if you would prefer not to be contacted for research purposes, please let the practice know if this is the case.

What is Clinical Research?

Clinical research helps us better understand human health and wellbeing so we can:

• Improve current treatments, medicines and care
• Develop new treatments
• Diagnose diseases and conditions earlier or more accurately
• Prevent people from developing diseases

Clinical research trials and studies are part of everyday work in the NHS, most care that patients receive in hospitals and GP practices is the result of research.

Not all research involves testing drugs or new treatments. It could also involve:

• Taking part in interviews about your health
• Completing questionnaires
• Donating a sample of blood/saliva
• Trying an online course to manage your health
• Helping to test new technology

What are the Benefits?

We can make faster improvements to people’s health and care if more people take part in research.

There are a range of reasons that people choose to participate in research:

• To improve health and social care for others, as well as giving hope for future generations
• To learn more about their condition
• To try a new treatment or device
• To be more closely and regularly monitored by health and care professionals
• To help researchers learn important new information

Where do Research Projects Come From?

We work with research teams from universities and industry who are exploring questions that are important and relevant to general practice. The National Institute for Health and Care Research help us to identify suitable studies for our patients. All studies are reviewed by the NHS Health Research Authority to ensure they are ethically approved and comply with UK legislation and guidelines.

How is my Information Used for Research?

Researchers use your information to increase our understanding of diseases and to improve treatment. Before any research is conducted it needs approval from an independent ethics committee, who ensure any patient information is used ethically and appropriately.

If you participate in a research study, you are asked to sign a consent form. The consent form, and a participant information sheet, will describe how your data will be handled during the study. Your signed consent form and your personal details will be stored by the research team in a secure location along with the study information.

If you would like to speak to The Alliance Medical Group about research, please contact your Lead Research GP and Nurse:

SOLID