Today, Thursday 20 May marks International Clinical Trials Day and the HSC R&D Division within the Public Health Agency (PHA) is using it to highlight that everyone, both young and old, can be part of research.
Clinical Trials Day celebrates the day that doctor and researcher James Lind started what is often considered the first randomised clinical trial, aboard a ship on 20 May 1747. Clinical research is now the foundation of healthcare and is made possible thanks to the support and commitment of patients working in partnership with researchers and healthcare professionals.
Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director of HSC R&D Division within the PHA, said:
“The last 18 months has shown that clinical research has never been more important. The development of the COVID-19 vaccines and treatments would not have been possible without the people who stepped forward to contribute to the studies and make the research possible.
“Clinical research takes place in hospitals and GP practices across Northern Ireland involving people of all ages, both living with health conditions and those in good health. To date over 26,000 people in Northern Ireland have taken part in COVID-19 studies funded by HSC R&D Division and over 8,000 people have signed up to a vaccine research registry.
“It is also because of the COVID-19 pandemic that people are more aware of clinical research and we now hope to build upon this and encourage more people to come forward and ask their healthcare professional about taking part in research.”
A recent survey carried out throughout the UK, including 523 people in Northern Ireland, looked at the impact of COVID-19 on public awareness of research.
It showed that most people here thought research during the pandemic was important and were grateful to the people who had taken part. 30% of people trusted research more because of COVID-19 and 32% said they would be more likely to take part in health research in the future.
However, the majority of respondents underestimated the numbers of people who had taken part in COVID-19 studies and didn’t know that their local hospital offered opportunities to take part in COVID-19 research. The findings also suggested that older people tended to be more positive about research than younger people.
There are many studies on different types of health conditions as well as COVID-19 taking place across Northern Ireland, looking for people of all ages to get involved. One such study was Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children. The study recruited children of healthcare workers, aged 2–15 years.
Dr Tom Waterfield, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, said: “This multicentre study aimed to recruit 1,000 children of healthcare workers aged 2 to 15 years of age. Participants provided blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing along with additional data.
“The study aimed to report the presence of COVID-19 antibodies and identify what symptoms the children were displaying if any. Because these children agreed to be part of this research study, we now know more about COVID-19 than we did before. The children were known as the COVID-19 warriors.”
Dr Bailie concluded by saying:
“It is through clinical trials that we gain knowledge and in turn hope for a better future. Not everyone is chosen to participate, but vital research can only happen if people of all ages volunteer.
“I would like to express my thanks to all patients, researchers, healthcare professionals and partners. Your efforts are not only recognised today on International Clinical Trials Day, but every day for the work you do in advancing the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of disease.”
For more information about taking part in research and other opportunities to take part in COVID-19 research can be found at www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk
To volunteer to take part in research sign up at www.nhs.uk/researchcontact
To watch a short video which includes Dr Julie McCarroll, Programme Manager with HSC R&D Division and Dr Tom Waterfield, Clinical Lecturer at QUB and Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, click on the following link: https://vimeo.com/552297400 and to download a poster or leaflet click on the appropriate image below.
Poster Leaflet
Staff from the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN) celebrating International Nurses Day and supporting International Clinical Trials Day;
Southern Health and Social Care Trust clinical research team celebrate International Clinical Trials Day
The Southern Trust’s Clinical Research Team is encouraging local people to consider ‘being part of research’ as they mark International Clinical Trials Day 2021 (Thursday 20th May).
The team has made a significant contribution to national COVID-19 research over the past year, having recruited more than 1,340 participants to key studies prioritised by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.
A number of senior Trust Consultants have been leading on a range of COVID-19 studies, for example relating to critical care, Emergency Departments, paediatrics, neonatal and pregnancy. The Southern Trust has also recruited the most participants in Northern Ireland for the RECOVERY Respiratory Trial and the SIREN Healthcare workers Study.
International Clinical Trials Day is an opportunity for clinical research professionals and the public to acknowledge the achievements that result from clinical research and to discuss various trial topics.
Explaining the importance of clinical research in health and social care Dr Peter Sharpe, Associate Medical Director Research and Development for the Southern Trust says:
“Research is needed for both common and rare conditions. It is only through research that we can develop better treatments and continually improve diagnosis, prevention, care and quality of life for everyone. With the arrival of new diseases, like COVID-19, research is absolutely crucial in helping us to understand their impact on the body, so we can develop new treatments and indeed vaccines". To read the full press release click here.
Photo caption
The Southern Trust’s Clinical Research Team is encouraging local people to consider ‘being part of research’ as they mark International Clinical Trials Day 2021. Dr Peter Sharpe, Associate Medical Director Research & Development with Clinical Research staff from left – Karen Parsons, Alison McMullan, Denise McFarland, Denise Cosgrove, Fiona Thompson, Anne Mackin, Cheryl Harrison and Irene Knox.
Photo caption
Clinical Research Nurses Carolyn Hutchinson and Teresa McKinley who undertake Renal Studies at Daisy Hill Hospital with patient and research participant Samuel Wright from Dungannon.