This practice is one of over 600 practices in England contributing pseudonymised data for national research and surveillance.
These data enable continuous monitoring of infections and diseases in the community and is used in ethically approved research. The RCGP RSC is the main source of information for Public Health England (PHE) and helps with prediction and management of flu outbreaks and pandemics.
Providing pseudonymised data does not affect patients, their care or privacy, however if you no longer wish to allow your information to be used, please speak to your GP.
The pseudonymised data, extracted by an information service provide,; Wellbeing Software (also known as Apollo Medical Solutions), is processed within the private and secure network of the Clinical Informatics and Health Outcomes Research Group at University of Surrey under a formal data sharing agremrrent. The pseudonymised data may be linked with other
NHS data for analysis, including hospital episode statistics.
For further information please visit www.rcgp.org.uk/rsc or contact:
Prof Simon de Lusignan (Data Controller)
RSC Director
MedicalDirectorRSC@rcgp.org.uk
Practice Liaison Team
Practiceenquiries@phc.ox.ac.uk
Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC)
The Weekly Returns Service (WRS) Surveillance Programme
What is WRS Programme?
This practice is participating in a national surveillance programme that provides continuous monitoring of infectious diseases in the community. The surveillance programme is co-ordinated by the Royal College of General Practitioners Research (RCGP) and Surveillance Centre (RSC).
What data is being collected?
Pseudonymised data is being collected. Pseudonymisation means that individuals are distinguished by using a unique identifier, that is, a pseudonym. That means that their 'real-world' identity is not revealed.
Why is this data collected?
This data is used for continuous monitoring of infections and diseases and is the main source of information for Public Health England (PHE). The purpose of collecting data is to support public health, including the evaluation of vaccine effectiveness.
How does this affect me?
Providing pseudonymised data does not affect patients directly. All information is collected anonymously and does not affect patient care, treatment or privacy.
However if you no longer wish to allow your information to be used, please speak to your GP.
How about GDPR?
RCGP RSC are compliant with all current legislation including GDPR and work within the governance frameworks of NHS Digital and the Medical Research Council.
For more information, please visit: https://clininf.eu/index.php/test-rcgp-gd
Contact us
Email: MedicalDirectorRSC@rcgp.org.uk
Weekly Returns Service: www.rcgp.org.uk/rsc
What is CRN Eastern Primary Care
The mission of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the research arm of the NHS, is to maintain a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world class facilities, conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public.
The NIHR is funded by the Department of Health.
The Clinical Research Network (CRN) Eastern is one of 15 CRNs that cover England. Each CRN provides a wide range of support to the local research community covering 30 different specialties, one of which is Primary Care. Our Practice participates in research activity and works closely with CRN Eastern creating more opportunities for more patients to be involved in research should they wish.
By building on and extending partnerships, with university academics and the NHS, research collaboration across the Eastern region is further strengthened. CRN Eastern also helps our practice by supporting us to recruit and take part in clinical studies through their locally based research nurses and network coordinators.
What is Primary Care research
People use research to try and find the causes of diseases and to find better treatments and services for those diseases and improve patient care.
Different types of research
Research is presented in different formats;
- Completing a questionnaire
- Requesting the use of your anonymised data
- Taking part in an interview
- Testing new treatments, therapies or devices
- Experiencing new combinations of treatments
Practice set up
We have been accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) as ‘Research Ready’ so we are able to participate in research studies that CRN Eastern offers. To become research ready the practice has completed an online self-accreditation questionnaire which covers the minimum requirements of the UK Policy framework. The accreditation has been developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners in conjunction with the NIHR and the Clinical Research Network. (Research Ready self-accreditation)
Benefits of being ‘Research Ready’
- Enables our practice to reflect on our ability and capacity to conduct high quality research
- Provides assurance for study sponsors, governance staff and patients that our Practice is up-to-date and compliant with national standards for NHS research
- Provides the practice with awareness of how it can minimise any potential risks for our practice, practice staff and study participants
- Access to a Research Ready file which provides a useful reference for the research team and also for the induction and training of new staff in our practice who will be participating in its research activities
- Opportunities to be involved in a wider range of research studies
Why support research
Research studies help to answer specific questions about health and health care. For example;
- whether new treatments or ways of organising services are effective (do they work?)
- whether those treatments or services are cost-effective (do they give value for money?)
- how different health problems develop and progress over time – to help gain a better understanding of that health problem
- the views of patients and health professionals about a particular treatment, intervention or service and how they might be improved
The results of research studies can be of interest to patients and useful to health professionals and managers in the NHS in helping to decide what treatments and services to provide in future.
Patient participation and how to take part in research
There are different ways that patients can become involved in studies our Practice is participating in.
- A doctor or nurse may talk to you about a study and ask whether you would consider taking part or
- You will be sent information through the post if we feel that you might be a suitable participant
- You may read information on the website about a current study and wish to take part by contacting the practice
Patients who express an interest in finding out more about a study will be asked for their permission to share their name and contact details with the study team. Some studies require direct contact between participants and the team, others involve contact through a member of practice staff or with a CRN research nurse.
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Participation in research is entirely voluntary and you have the right to say ‘No’. Nobody will put pressure on you to take part in research if you do not wish to. You do not have to give us a reason if you decide not to take part
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Your care and your relationship with your doctor or nurse will not be affected in any way if you decide not to take part in a research study.
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You will always receive clear information about what taking part in a research study would involve. The practice will usually provide you with a patient information sheet; then, if you agree to take part, the study team will explain the study to you in more detail and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about it.
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Nobody from outside this practice will be given your contact details or have access to your medical records without your prior consent. If you do agree to take part in a study, you will be asked to sign a consent form – this will clearly state which parts of your notes (if any) may be looked at for the purposes of the research
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You will not be asked to take part in a large number of studies. Most researchers are very specific about the criteria that people need to meet in order to enter their study. Usually this means that only a relatively small number of patients at the practice will be suitable for any one study.
You can also find a research study to take part in directly at bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk
Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Research
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.
You may be interested in how to get more involved by following these links
Research and patient experience
Many patients voluntarily take part in research as ‘participants’ in clinical trials or other well designed studies. These trials aim to test how good beneficial treatments might be for people.
Healthtalkonline
An award winning charity website allowing patients and the public to share experiences of health and illness and taking part in research studies.
www.healthtalkonline.org/medical_research
NHS UK
Comprehensive information about research for patients and the public
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Clinical-trials/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Current studies at the practice
GLOW Study: Currently Suspended
A trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a tailored diabetes education and behavioural weight management programme versus diabetes education, in adults with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Recruitment is continuing until the end of March 2020. If think you may be eligible and are interested in finding out more, please get in touch with us at Buckden Surgery.
Our Practice Nurse, Vicky Fowlds, is taking a lead role on this study with Dr Chris Newark.
Participation in research is entirely voluntary and you have the right to say ‘No’. Nobody will put pressure on you to take part in research if you do not wish to. You do not have to give us a reason if you decide not to take part
Your care and your relationship with your doctor or nurse will not be affected in any way if you decide not to take part in a research study.