Let's talk research

We want to know your research stories!

The Research & Development team is celebrating AWP Clinical Trials Week 2016 by inviting staff, local researchers, service users, carers and members of the public to tweet about their involvement in mental health and dementia research. The campaign will run from 6th-10th June 2016.

Clinical trials week project coordinator Jo Morris said, "We want to share personal stories from the people we work with about mental health and dementia research. We'll be tweeting using #whywedoresearch to tell people about the variety of work mental health research can cover. There are many research heroes in AWP and beyond, and this week is dedicated to hearing from them and celebrating their work."

If you want to get involved, download the #whywedoresearch message sheet to complete yourself. Don't forget to tweet @AWP_RD and @AWPNHS with your picture.

In the last 10 years it is estimated that 225,000 people in the West of England have taken part in clinical research supported by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), the research arm of the NHS. These people have helped pave the way for new, improved NHS treatments and services.

Clinical research helps the NHS identify the best interventions and treatments for patients, which have the potential to improve the lives of those affected now, and in the future. More volunteers are needed to take part in clinical research if this vital work is to continue.

Clinical director of the NIHR's West of England Clinical Research Network Dr Steve Falk said, "Every year, research in our local hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes and in the wider community, contributes to better care in the NHS. This clinical research would be impossible without the thousands of local people willing to take part. They have all helped improve treatments and services.

"In the last year alone, 19,500 people took part in 671 research studies in the West of England. That shows just how committed people are to doing their bit to help improve NHS treatment."

As well as thanking patients and the public for their invaluable contribution to clinical research, we are also asking more people to get involved.

To contact the R&D team for more information, call 011 37 84266.

Details of the current research studies in AWP can be found here.