More than 115,000 participants took part in research across Yorkshire and Humber last year

More people than ever took part in research right on their doorstep last year, according to new data released today. 

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) data shows that 116,920 participants took part in research across our region in 2023-24. This means that more than 1 million participants (1,060,183) from Yorkshire and Humber have now taken part in health and care research over the past 10 years - that’s almost 1 in 5 people living in our region.

The data relates to the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) portfolio studies. It shows that almost 75% (467) of all GP practices (625) in Yorkshire and Humber took part in CRN-supported research in 2023-24. This is a 110% increase compared to the previous year (222 practices increasing to 467).

A total of 25,231 participants recruited to research came via GP practices - 21.6% of the total number of participants recruited to research in Yorkshire and Humber in 2023-24. Research has also continued in other settings including care homes and schools.

This means more people than ever had the opportunity to take part in research and access new treatments and healthcare practices right on their doorstep.

Woodstock Bower Practice in Rotherham saw numbers of patients taking part in research shoot up from 83 to more than 600 in the past year. Dr Shahbaz Ali of Woodstock Bower Practice said:

"Over the past 12 months, our journey into research has been exciting.  Our team's dedication and passion for advancing the care of our patients has driven our desire to engage in research.

“We've embraced a diverse range of studies all with the aim of improving patient care and outcomes. We're here to make a difference, one study at a time."

And Oaklands Health Centre in Huddersfield recruited almost 1,000 patients. The lead GP for research at Oaklands, Dr Sarah Alderson, said:

“It's a great thing to be involving our patients in research. We are advancing healthcare together.

“They enjoy being part of the process and we’ve had really good feedback from patients and from the studies we are recruiting for.”

Participation figures continue to exceed pre-pandemic levels

Over the last year,  a total of 1,045,282 people across England took part in health and care research, with 116,920 coming from CRN Yorkshire and Humber. This is the fourth year in a row that around a million people have been involved in research supported by the NIHR CRN and the fourth year in a row that CRN Yorkshire and Humber recruitment has been greater than 115,900 participants.

The CRN has helped recruit more than 5.4m participants during the past 5 years with 593,861 recruited in CRN Yorkshire and Humber.

Executive Director of the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN), John Sitzia, said: 

“Our annual data shows health and care research is becoming more embedded in communities. This enables people from a variety of backgrounds to get involved and ensures everyone can access new treatments and healthcare practices through participation in research.

“Whether it’s taking part in a drug trial at a local hospital or completing an online survey, every contribution helps improve health and wellbeing in the UK and beyond. So we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in a health and care study last year. I hope that everyone who participated feels a sense of pride for their contribution.”

Amber O’Malley, Network Director, Yorkshire and Humber Regional Research Delivery Network, said:

“It’s absolutely amazing to see that almost 1 in 5 local people have taken part in research in our region over the past ten years. These fantastic participation levels could not be achieved without the incredible efforts of our staff and partners who work tirelessly to ensure that we offer opportunities to get involved in life-changing research throughout Yorkshire and Humber.

“Thank you to every single one of them and everyone in Yorkshire and Humber who continues to volunteer their time to make research happen.”

Everyone can take part in research, whether they have a health condition or not. Be Part of Research Service helps people to easily find and take part in studies across the UK.

Find a study or register to take part in research in Yorkshire and Humber at: www.bepartofresearch.uk.