Research

Research helps us increase our knowledge about human health and wellbeing.

This is so we can:

  • Provide life changing treatments
  • Diagnose diseases earlier or more accurately
  • Prevent people from developing conditions
  • Improve health and care for generations to come
  • Ensure everyone has a better quality of life

Overall, the aim is to find out whether what is being tested is better than what is currently available. This can include therapies, medicines and services.

Although health professionals already know a great deal, there are still so many questions that need answers.

For more information please visit www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk

Please see the results from our latest inspection regarding our research activities:


Getting Involved in Research

Please read the first newsletter for patients and the public in the Eastern region:


COVID-19 Booster Research Study

Following the recent acceleration of the Covid-19 Booster roll-out, please would you again consider supporting the: Cohort Monitoring of the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines study (CPMS ID: 49511).

The Drug Safety Research Unit , an independent organisation in Hampshire, is running the UK arm of this wider European (EMA funded) study to monitor any side effects following COVID-19 vaccination and the study is now open to participants following their booster vaccination. Participants need to sign up via the study website within 48 hours of receiving their COVID-19 booster vaccination to complete this online survey.

Have you had your COVID vaccine in the past 2 days? If so, please sign up to take part in the Covid Vaccine Monitor study, an online questionnaire study monitoring for side effects covidvaccinemonitor.co.uk or www.covidvaccinemonitor.eu/uk-booster

Thank you for considering supporting this important study.


REGAIN Study

Have you been in hospital with COVID-19?

The REGAIN study aims to find out which of two treatments is better for helping people recover after being in hospital with COVID-19:

  • An online rehabilitation exercise and recovery support group
  • A single online session of exercise and support

Are you still suffering with:

  • Your breathing
  • Sleeping
  • Tiredness
  • Shoulder or back pain
  • Memory or concentration
  • Any other symptoms

You could help contribute to develop better care for people after COVID-19 by joining the REGAIN study.

If you are interested in taking part and to find out more, please visit www.warwick.ac.uk/regain


WITHIN Study

Do you have chronic pain?

Volunteers are needed to take part in psychological research which aims to help explain distress and disability in chronic pain.

You may qualify if you:

  • Suffer from chronic pain
  • Are aged 18 and over
  • Are English speaking

To take part, read our information leaflet and complete the short screening questionnaire or get in touch with us.


Warwick Sleep and Pain Lab

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07385600421

Website: www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/psych/research/lifespan/sleeplab/projects/within


Modulate-LBP Study

Do you suffer from chronic lower back pain?

Opportunity to take part in the Modulate-LBP research study, using minimally invasive implant technology in the treatment of lower back pain with no prior surgery.

You could be eligible if you have:

  • Chronic predominant back pain (for over 12 months)
  • Moderate or severe intensity (over 6/10 pain score)
  • No previous spinal surgery
  • Failed to respond to previous treatment
  • Over 18 years old

For further details

Please contact the Pain Research Department and St Thomas’ Hospital:

Telephone: 02071883237

Email: [email protected]


PRINCIPLE Study

Do you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19?

Are you aged 65 or over? Or 50 to 64 with underlying health conditions? with symptoms within the past 14 days?

Please visit www.principletrial.org to find out how to take part in an Urgent Public Health Clinical Trial for COVID-19 treatments.

For more information, please see the Help the Fight Against COVID-19 Poster.


Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

You may have heard the encouraging interim results of the Pfizer / BioNTech clinical trial on their vaccine against COVID-19. This development is thanks to clinical study participants such as yourself and shows the importance of this vaccine research. The vaccine has not yet been approved for use in the UK, but you might have questions about what this means for the clinical study you are taking part in.

For more information, please read the NIHR Pfizer / BioNTECH Vaccine Leaflet.


Germ Defence

We are letting you know about a very useful website called Germ Defence which was created by a team of doctors and scientists to give you advice that has been proven to reduce the spread of viruses in the home. It can help you plan how to protect yourself and members of your family from infection by COVID-19 and flu.

It’s easy to use and only takes 10 minutes – www.germdefence.org/ (If this link does not open when you select it, please copy and paste it into your web browser)

Please pass details of the Germ Defence website to your friends and family.

There’s a button at the bottom of the Germ Defence website for sharing by social media.

If you’d like to know more:

  • Over 20,000 people previously took part in research about Germ Defence
  • People who followed the advice in Germ Defence had fewer and less severe illnesses – and so did the people they lived with
  • Results of the study were published in The Lancet medical journal
  • Germ Defence has been updated with COVID-19 advice to help prevent a wave of COVID-19 and flu this Autumn/Winter
  • Information about how the Germ Defence website is being evaluated is available by visiting www.bristol.ac.uk/primaryhealthcare/researchthemes/roll-out-of-germ-defence-website

Dementia Research

Join Dementia Research is a service supported by Hanscombe House Surgery to enable people to take part in vital dementia research. Everyone over 18 can register whether they have a diagnosis of dementia or not. For more information please visit the Join Dementia Research website.


STARFISH Trial – Sudden Hearing Loss

Urgent treatment is needed for some causes of sudden hearing loss.

Treatment could help to restore your hearing.

The UK-wide STARFISH Trial is looking at the best treatment for sudden hearing loss and you may be able to join.