Patients and the public

Local Clinical Research Networks
- Kent, Surrey and Sussex

"I feel that research has changed my life because I am alive and well and I am so grateful for this".

Frances, Kent.

The treatments that we take for granted today have come about through the research that was done in the past. We want to continue to make sure that patients in the future receive the latest treatments and the best possible care.

Patients and healthy members of the public are our greatest strength – health research simply couldn’t happen without the volunteers who give their time and commitment.

38, 599 people took part in research studies within the NHS across Kent, Surrey and Sussex (in 2018/19). Research is being carried out in all of our NHS Trusts across the region and at an increasing number of GP surgeries too. This means patients are taking part in research somewhere near you!

Participant Research Experience Survey

In 2018/19 a patient experience survey showed that 85% of patients who had taken part in research in Kent, Surrey and Sussex said they considered research to be a normal part of NHS health care, but nationally only about 1 in 5 people said they felt confident to ask their healthcare professional about opportunities to take part in research.

If you live in Kent, Surrey and Sussex and have taken part in a research study and would like to complete to complete a Participant Research Experience Survey please email crnkentsurreysussex@nihr.ac.uk

Taking part in research

If you're a patient or a member of the public who'd like to take part in research then you can talk to your doctor or nurse to find out if there's a suitable study that you can take part in.

And remember, you can increase or decrease your involvement at any time simply by letting us know.

Join Dementia Research is a nationwide service that helps anyone in the UK find and take part in vital dementia research studies. People with dementia, their carers, and anyone interested in research can sign up. It’s also possible to register on behalf of someone else, if it is in their best interests.

It is only through research that we can develop effective treatments, improve care and one day find a cure.

There are lots of different studies; from looking at prevention and new treatments, to surveys aiming to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.

It is always your choice whether or not to take part in a particular study and you can opt out at any time.

To sign up, you just need to provide some information about yourself which will enable the service to match you to suitable studies.

You can sign up online, over the phone or send a form by post.

To find out more about Join Dementia Research, visit their website: www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

Social Media - Twitter @beatdementia

Be Part of Research makes it easy for the public to learn about UK health and social care research. Anyone can search for ethically-approved studies and ask to take part. There are studies for people living with a condition as well as those who may be healthy. The service also curates the latest research findings from reliable sources.

Health and care professionals can use Be Part of Research to support their patients, clients and service users.

Be Part of Research is delivered by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the nation's largest funder of health and care research.

Visit the Be Part of Research website to find a research study that you can take part in www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

Find out more how patients and the public can become involved in research.