| The NIHR BioResource Newcastle recruits it’s 1000th volunteer using electronic consent. In 2019 the NIHR BioResource Centre Newcastle became the first NUTH-sponsored project to launch electronic consent, in line with the Trust’s plans to become paperlite. Since then, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and having to pause recruitment for most of 2020, the team have managed to recruit an incredible 1000 volunteers electronically. During the pandemic the Newcastle centre, in collaboration with Trevor Liddle, Information Specialist in the Newcastle Joint Research office, developed a system that would allow volunteers to join the BioResource from the safety of their own homes. Commenting on this, Manager, Dr Emma Raine said: “We were very fortunate to have developed a robust electronic recruitment system before the onset of the pandemic which meant we were able to very quickly adapt this to the changing situation. At a time when the importance of research became clear to the public and so many people wanted to volunteer, we were able to offer them that opportunity.” The 1000th econsent volunteer, Lisa Pattinson, joined the NIHR BioResource at the NIHR Newcastle Clinical Research Facility (CRF), a specialist research department in the Royal Victoria Infirmary, supporting delivery of high-quality, cutting-edge medical research. Lisa said of her experience: “I have a number of family members and close friends with different long-term health conditions and really I just wanted to try to help, even in a very small way, towards identifying better treatments in the future. Volunteering to give a blood sample is a very simple way to do this and being able to sign up and give consent electronically made the process really quick and easy to do.“ The NIHR BioResource is a partnership facilitating cutting-edge health research by connecting researchers with the right participants, samples or data for their studies. Over 200,000 BioResource volunteers, with and without health conditions, have provided informed consent for their health records to be made available for approved research purposes, in addition to providing a blood/saliva sample and consent to be contacted about participating in relevant research. Everyone who volunteers makes a valuable contribution to the search for better diagnosis and treatment of disease. Without participants, research cannot progress. If you would like more information about the NIHR BioResource please visit our website, or you can register your interest in volunteering here. |
2022 Research Grants Round launched by Royal Osteoporosis Society
The NuTH Funding Development Team would like to signpost that the Royal Osteoporosis Society has launched their 2022 Research Grants Round.
Even before the pandemic, the treatment gap for osteoporosis was startlingly wide, with around two-thirds of people missing out on the treatment they need. NHS backlogs have widened that treatment gap still further. For the duration of our Breaking the Silence Strategy 2022-2026, the Royal Osteoporosis Society will be focusing its grants programme on pioneering studies which can help close the treatment gap. This year, the charity is inviting applications for studies which aim to improve care and lead to quicker and more accurate diagnosis, by overcoming the barriers to rapidly implement evidence-based clinical interventions into wider practice. Projects which aim to reduce health inequalities in osteoporosis care are also welcomed.
NIHR Research Capability Funding 2022-2023 Call
NIHR RCF is a research funding stream designed to help research-active NHS organisations attract, develop and retain high quality research, clinical and support staff.
A psychological study into uncertainty distress in relation to Long Covid
An opportunity to take part in a research study is available for anyone who has experienced/is experiencing long COVID.
RECOVERY trial proves Dexamethasone COVID-19 treatment
The Oxford University UK RECOVERY trial, of which Newcastle is a site, is the first clinical trial anywhere in the world to show a treatment provides significant impact in reducing patient mortality.