Sheringham Medical Practice is part of the primary care research network, therefore takes part in various clinical trials and studies. Any research project which is undertaken at Sheringham Medical Practice has to be approved by a research ethics committee. The committee ensures that any research undertaken is of a high standard, necessary and is ethical. They also ensure that people undertaking research are properly trained and have a duty of confidentiality.
When a research project has been approved you may be contacted to be invited to take part. For certain studies we provide your name and address to the research team so that they can contact you, however when your record is used for research we would only release identifiable information about you with your written permission.
The research team work as part of the practice team and have a strict duty of confidentiality. We follow national guidance, regulations and the law when sharing information in your medical records and we may release anonymised information for research purposes.
Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
This is a key requirement for anyone involved in the conduct of clinical research as it forms the standard and guidelines to which all research is conducted. A number of clinical practice team have undertaken training (GCP) to ensure that they are qualified to deliver research within our primary care setting.
What is the Primary Care Research Network?
The primary care research network is part of the national institute for health research, clinical research network and is funded by the department of health.
What does the Primary Care Research Network do?
The primary care research network are dedicated to providing a world class infrastructure to conduct clinical research in primary care settings, where the majority of patient/practitioner contacts take place. They work with a wide range of primary care practitioners, including GPs, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists and health visitors. As well as supporting high quality research in areas for which primary care has particular responsibility. These include disease prevention, health promotion, screening and early diagnosis, as well as the management of long-term conditions, such as arthritis and heart disease.
Why they do it
Clinical research is, and has always been, fundamental to the work of the NHS. Only by carrying out research into ‘what works’ can they continually improve treatments for patients, and understand how to focus NHS resources where they will be most effective. All the research that they support is driven by the priorities of the NHS and the department of health, and informed by the views of patients and their carers.
How they do it
They provide researchers with the practical support they need to make clinical studies happen in a primary care setting in the NHS, so that more research takes place, and more patients can take part.
The Primary Care Research Network’s vision
To provide improved treatment and services for NHS patients by conducting important and relevant research to the highest standards working in partnership with patients, researchers and primary care practitioners in efficient and effective ways.
Sheringham Medical Practice is a level one ‘research active’ practice and regularly takes part in clinical trial studies in conjunction with the East of England Primary Care Research Network based in Norwich. You may be invited to participate in some research projects if you fit the relevant criteria.
The practice research staff are:
Dr Ian Smith
Nurse Practitioner Julie Sterry
Pauline Craske
Kayleigh Dorey
Increasingly patients, carers and members of the public are contributing their perspectives to the way clinical research is designed, commissioned, managed and supported. Active involvement in clinical research is very different from being a participant in a study.