Research and Innovation John’s Story
July 2016
Study Snippets Diabetes Type1 ADDRESS2 - the research project that is learning about the characteristics of people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the UK, and at the same time supporting other research into type 1 diabetes. Contact Chris Cleaver, research nurse on 01296 315159 for more information. www.address2.org
Obstetrics & Gynaecology Success Can you tell me a bit about yourself? John: “My name’s John. I’m 70 and I live in Beaconsfield. I was treated for bowel cancer and have had operations on my liver, bowel and chemotherapy in the past year. Everyone has been fantastic” Why is clinical research important to you? John: “Because they check you regularly, every two weeks which is a bonus and if it helps somebody else then that’s a good thing. There’s so much coming out all the time, people shouldn’t think the worst, be positive.” What type of study are you taking part in? John: I take either aspirin or a placebo, we don’t know, for 8 weeks. They give me a box once a month, I don’t know what’s in it and I have a diary to fill in every day. They want to know if I don’t take a tablet and say why.” How did you find out about the trial? John: “The doctor told me about it. I was invited to take part by Dr Weaver at one of my clinic appointments.” What are the benefits of taking part to you? John: “More checks are carried out, I’m kept an eye on. The research nurses call me every two weeks to check how I am and see if there are any problems. Extra blood samples are taken every month by the research nurses. They’re very good with the darts. I’ll be followed up for 5 years so if anything does show its face it’ll be found earlier. It’s self-preservation. It gives you peace of mind. There’s nothing to be afraid of, I like it”
John is helping the Add-Aspirin clinical trial. It’s a large study recruiting 11,000 patients in the UK and India to help find out whether regular aspirin use after treatment for an early stage cancer can prevent the cancer coming back. For more information visit www.addaspirintrial.org
Last year in our department was our most productive research year ever. We had 3,855 women take part in research in a range of 8 studies covering pregnancy, labour, post natal care and endometriosis. This year we aim to increase that number and open up more studies especially in gynaecology and early pregnancy. For more information contact Julie Tebbutt, research midwife on 01296 418160 or email Julie.tebbutt@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk
Retained Placenta 11,000 women a year have a retained placenta after giving birth. The Got-It study hopes to prove that a drug called Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) can be used to treat this problem avoiding surgery for many women in the future. GTN is a well-known drug currently used in the treatment of angina. For more information contact our research midwife Julie Tebbutt. www.got-it.org
Parkinson’s Disease We are pleased to announce the forthcoming launch of the Discovery2 which is the 2nd phase of a study looking at patients in the early days after diagnosis. Discovery2 is looking for a group of healthy control volunteers who can be compared to those living with the disease. This will enable the researchers to devise methods of diagnosing the disease earlier allowing patients to stay well for longer. For more information contact Christine Parker, research nurse on 07825 378313 www.parkinsons.org.uk
For further information about research opportunities at Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust please contact the Research and Innovation Department at Stoke Mandeville hospital on 01296 316065 or see the website at www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/research
Current Studies Open to Recruitment
We have a team of research staff actively recruiting patients into a variety of studies and clinical trials across the Trust. Call 01296 316065 to register your interest or ask your doctor about research opportunities during your next clinic appointment.
Supporting International Clinical Trials Day – 20 May 2016 Celebrated around the world each year to mark the day James Lind carried out the first randomised controlled trial aboard the HMS Salisbury. It led to the discovery of the link between Scurvy and shortage of vitamin C in the diet of sailors in 1747. Here’s the team promoting the event at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals.
PReSUTINeB Study Prevention of Recurrent Symptomatic
Urinary Tract Infections in Patients with Chronic Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction: A Mixed Methods Study This study is looking for spinal cord injury patients with persistent urinary tract infections and neurogenic bladder dysfunction? It’s easy to take part by completing a questionnaire online or over the phone. For further information please contact: Sen Selvarajah, Research Project Manager at Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research on 01296 418140, via email sen.selvarajah@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk or visit the website www.lifeafterparalysis.com/our-research
Katarina joins the Bucks Research Team Where did you do your nurse training? “I trained in Slovakia and qualified in 2003.” What were you doing before you came to Bucks? “I worked as a research nurse at the Institute of Neurology London and I was specialising on ataxia studies.” What types of research projects have you worked on? “In my previous job I was investigating ataxia – a group of neurodegenerative conditions caused by brain damage as a result of disease or faulty genes. Now I am involved in respiratory studies with a new one called PILOT starting soon. It will collect data on patients with lung (pleural) infections to help doctors identify those at risk of serious complications allowing them to give them best treatment options in future. I am also involved in eye and cancer studies and from September I will be helping with stroke research.” What do you enjoy about research nursing? “It can be very rewarding and fulfilling especially knowing that the work I am doing can help some patients live longer or to enjoy a better quality of life.” Describe a typical working day “There isn’t any day that is the same. But most days I will be preparing trial-related documents, screening for potential participants at outpatient clinics and on the wards. I make sure patients are given all the information they need and fully understand what will happen to them if they agree to participate. “ Why do you think research is important to the NHS? “People being cared for in the NHS benefit from past research so it is very important to continue to improve future healthcare. Research is essential to find out which treatments work better for patients.” Do you have a pet? “Yes, I have a dog – West Highland Terrier.” What’s your dream holiday destination? “Anywhere there is hot weather.”
Student nurse Research Experience “Every nurse that I had the pleasure of spending time with, was more than happy to accommodate me into their schedule and share their knowledge with me. Each nurse was warm and friendly, which helped me to feel welcome and confident enough to ask questions. I can not fault any of them! It was a real pleasure to have the chance to work with them. You have a great team who have our patients best interests at heart. It was quite refreshing to be around nurses who are so passionate and hard working. It has definitely helped to broaden my knowledge of the world of health research and planted the seed for a potential career in research further down the line.” Leanne Wright, 2nd year Student Nurse