Research

Clinical research drives forward understanding of health and wellbeing to help people live healthier lives.  Research aims to improve treatment, diagnosis, prevention, and healthcare for the benefit of all patients.

Here at Tyntesfield, we have an established research team and regularly contribute to local, national, and international studies. We are so grateful to patients who have supported our research in the past and extend our thanks to you all for your contribution to clinical research – it really makes a difference!

How can I take part in a research study?

This surgery is supporting the ATHENA shingles study

We want to find out if taking amitriptyline can prevent the persistent pain that some people get after shingles.

50 years or older and recently got shingles? You may be able to take part. Ask your doctor for more information. Website: www.bristol.ac.uk/athena-study

Email: athena-study@bristol.ac.uk

Twitter: @AthenaStudy

This surveillance study is monitoring immunity of the population to infectious diseases, with a particular focus on respiratory viruses.

Patients attending a routine blood sample appointment will be offered the opportunity to provide an extra sample of blood for inclusion within the study.

AvonCAP GP2: general practice study about chest infections

This study is about chest infections and worsening of asthma, COPD and heart failure. We want to understand: (a) what impact these illnesses have on patients and the NHS; (b) how many of these illnesses could be prevented by vaccination (e.g. with COVID vaccines and other vaccines that are being developed); and (c) what groups of patients might benefit most from vaccination.  For patients who choose to take part, we will collect information (data) from their GP records about them and their illness; collect samples from their nose, throat, saliva and urine; and ask them to complete a diary about their symptoms and wellbeing.  We will send participants “Love to Shop” vouchers to reimburse them for their time.

Patients who are eligible to take part will be contacted by phone and, wherever possible, the study team will ask their permission to use their data. Patients can choose to opt out – if they do, we will collect a small amount of non-identifiable data from their record (e.g. age, gender, qualifying condition, reason for opting out) so that we can compare them to patients who choose to take part. Sometimes, despite our efforts, we will be unable to contact the patient. To get a more complete picture of the number of chest infections, we would still like to include their information even without consent. We hold specific approval from the Health Research Authority’s Confidentiality Advisory Group for this. We are very careful to keep data confidential. The data will be anonymised - there will be no way of identifying the patient from the data.

This study is led by researchers at the University of Bristol and is funded by Pfizer. For more information, please see the study website  or contact the research team by email bnssg.avoncapgp.tmg@nhs.net or phone 0117 958 1405.

Short films: Why take part in research?  About the AvonCAP GP2 study

We are taking part in the SAFER Trial, a research trial about screening for atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) to reduce the risk of stroke.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge want to find out if a national screening programme for atrial fibrillation:

• is possible
• will prevent strokes
• is good value for money

Eligible patients aged 70 years and over will have received an invitation letter from the practice in the post. For more information about the SAFER Trial please visit www.safer.phpc.cam.ac.uk. Queries about the trial should be made to the research team on 01223 763491 or SAFER@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Does low-dose aspirin reduce the chance of a first heart attack or stroke in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

Tyntesfield Medical Centre were selected to take part in an important study to test the use of self-sampling in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England.

Self-sampling is a new method that is being considered for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme; this test can be completed at home and if implemented in the programme could increase access to screening for many people.  Before self-sampling can be offered as part of routine screening, it needs to be tested to ensure that the results are as accurate as the results from a sample taken by a doctor or nurse.

HPValidate was a study led by Public Health England to compare self-taken samples with samples taken by a doctor or nurse. The study was designed to help the NHS Cervical Screening Programme to decide what device/s could be used for HPV self-sampling in the future.

We extend our thanks to all our patients who offered their time to support this important research. The summary of findings is now available here: UK NSC: HPValidate study findings - GOV.UK.