In NHS Grampian we are committed to support clinical research. Research is vital to improve how we look after our patients.

What is Clinical Research?

“Clinical Research” is also called “Medical Research” or “Health and Social Care Research”.

Clinical research is all about finding better ways to keep people healthy and improve the support they receive when they need help.

It focuses on understanding how to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses. It looks at things like testing new medicines, improving treatments and finding the best ways to care for patients. The goal is to make sure everyone gets the best possible care when they are unwell or trying to stay healthy.

Clinical research looks at new kinds of medications or devices, or it can be based on surveys or interviews. You can take a look at our animation video to learn more clinical research:

NHS Grampian has a website where you can learn more about clinical research taking place locally. You will find questions and answers, videos, an interactive game and a database with all trials currently open to patients: grampianclinicalresearch.com

How can I take part in research?

Research taking place in NHS Grampian covers a wide range of illnesses and projects. If you are interested in joining a research study as a participant, you can:

• Ask your healthcare provider
• Visit grampianclinicalresearch.com/trials
• Visit bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk
• Take a look at relevant charity websites, as they advertise relevant studies
• Check for opportunities on social media

Can I help research in other ways?

Patients and the public can help research in other ways, rather than taking part in a clinical trial. Research should be carried out with people, for the people. Ensuring that research incorporates patients and public voices from the early stages should guarantee better and more meaningful research.

For example, you can:

• Become a patient partner or a member of a Patient and Public Involvement group (PPI), to provide a patient/public view on research

There are many different ways of PPI. It often involves reading research information or talking to researchers and sharing your opinion. Sometimes it involves regular meetings. Other times it could just be a one-off involvement.

If you’d like more information on this, or would like to volunteer please contact gram.ppa@nhs.scot.

Become a Member of an Ethics Committee

This role requires taking part to regular meetings. Research plans are reviewed and discussed with the wider committee members at set meeting times. NHS Grampian has two NHS Ethics Committees which meet once a month.

If you’d like more information on this, or would like to volunteer please visit: North of Scotland Research Ethics Service (nhsgrampian.org)