Patients and staff mark International Clinical Trials Day
Posted 19th May 2017
Patients taking part in trials at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to find new treatments have opened up about their experiences to mark International Clinical Trials Day.
Patients have spoken movingly in a series of films where they reveal their thoughts and feelings about the work being done to improve their lives and those of other patients.
This year, International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) takes place on the 20th May.
The day also marks the start of the I am Research campaign, launched by the National Institute for Health Research to showcase the benefits of taking part in clinical research.
The occasion was also marked at Clatterbridge with an information stand where staff explained research work to patients and visitors.
Jonathan Sheffield OBE, Chief Executive Officer of NIHR Clinical Research Network, said: "100 per cent of NHS Trusts and 42 per cent of GP practices helped to recruit over 600,000 people to take part in clinical research in 2015/16. That's great news because research drives new and better treatments through the NHS, but we're keen to make more people aware of the opportunities available to them. That's what I Am Research is all about. Health professionals, patients and the public are spreading the word about how people can benefit from health and social care research. Although there's not a research study to suit everyone, it's crucial that we all know how to find about the research opportunities available to us."
Hospitals across the UK are celebrating the day in many different and engaging ways. The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust commissioned a series of short films in conjunction with the North West Coast Clinical Research Network who are part of the National Institute of Health Research. Other hospitals have taken part in the project and more films will be showcased throughout the campaign later in the year.
Bernadette Ross, from Southport, described her clinical research team as “warriors in my war against this disease”.
Bernadette took part in the landmark Icon 8 Trials Programme at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, looking to improve treatment outcomes for those living with ovarian cancer.
She also said: “Being part of Icon 8 has given me the gift of my future. I feel I am giving something back to medical science as well as benefiting from it.”
Her story is documented here
Andrew Cannell, Chief Executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust said: “Clinical Research is integral to providing great cancer care and we are proud to support International Clinical Trials Day.”
“Our active clinical research programme at Clatterbridge has resulted in clear patient benefits including access to new treatments, it also provides patients with the added benefit of knowing they are being treated by high calibre staff who have come to work at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre because of our active clinical research programme.”
To find out about healthcare research of interest to you, visit www.ukctg.nihr.ac.uk You'll be able to search for clinical trials that are taking place in your local area.
