Research

There are several ways that patients may be invited to become involved in research studies at St Peter's Health Centre:

• A doctor or nurse may speak to you about a particular study and ask whether you would be interested in taking part
• You may receive a text message from the practice or a research sponsor such as a university asking whether you would like to participate in research
• You may receive information through the post if we feel you may be a suitable participant for a particular study
• You may see information about a current study in the patient waiting room or on the practice website and decide that you would like to take part by contacting your GP

All research studies the practice decides to take part in are discussed by the GP partners and the practice only agrees to take part where we conclude data will be used responsibly and safely, and the research will benefit our patients.

Taking part in research is entirely voluntary, and you can withdraw from a study at any time without having to give a reason.

You are under no obligation to take part in any research project.

Your care and your relationship with your doctor or other healthcare professional will not be affected in any way if you decide not to take part in a research study.

You will always be given clear information about what taking part in a research study would involve. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain further information before deciding whether you would like to participate.

If you agree to take part in a study, you will be asked to sign a consent form. This will clearly explain which parts of your medical records, if any, may be accessed for the purposes of the research study. Nobody from outside the practice will be given your contact details or have access to your medical records without your prior consent.

Research Changes Lives

Research can save lives, help develop new treatments and support people to live healthier and happier lives for longer.

Doctors, nurses and other health and social care professionals learn more through research. However, this is only possible when people—including children and young people—take part in research studies.

In fact, nearly three quarters of a million people took part in health and social care research last year.

Why take part?

There are many reasons why you might consider taking part in research:

• You may want to help improve health and care for everyone, or because someone you care about has an illness or health condition
• If you have an illness or condition, you may have the opportunity to try a new treatment or intervention
• You may learn more about your condition and how it is managed
• Some studies may provide additional monitoring of your health
• You will help researchers discover important new information that could benefit patients in the future

If you would like to find out more about research opportunities, please speak to your doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional. You can also explore our research pages for information about current studies and how you can take part.

TRANSFORM

The TRANSFORM study is a once in a generation, UK-wide study involving over 300,000 participants over the next 20 years, to find the best ways to test for prostate cancer in the community. Currently, most men are not routinely tested for prostate cancer as part of a national screening programme. The TRANSFORM study is collecting best evidence to see the best ways of screening for prostate cancer and whether a more widely accessible national 
screening programme is warranted in the UK. 

The study is testing different prostate screening pathways, including PSA blood tests, a quick, non-invasive MRI (called a Prostagram™) and genetic tests, alone and in combination, to find the optimal screening and diagnostic pathway for people with prostates. This will help us to see if we can catch and diagnose prostate cancer earlier.