Research participation from North East and North Cumbria GP practices has increased significantly in 2023/24

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

In the North East and North Cumbria and across the country, around 1 in 4 people who participated in research in England in 2023-24 were recruited via primary care, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The data relates to the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) portfolio studies. It shows that 206 GP practices in the North East and North Cumbria recruited participants to CRN-supported research in 2023-24. This is nearly a 60% increase compared to the previous year.

Locally, a total of 16,167 participants recruited to research came via GP practices - just over 24% of the total number of participants recruited to research in the region in 2023-24. 

Care homes also played an active part in research. Last year, 35 local care homes took part in research that will improve adult social care, including studies on improving the oral health of older adults, and reducing winter respiratory infections in care home residents.

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. 

Dr James Lunn, a research active North East GP, said:

“There are many benefits to recruiting research participants via GP practices. The volunteers often have an established relationship with the staff, which means there is a pre-existing level of trust. GP practices also have access to the data they need to quickly screen patients to see if they are eligible for a study.

“It’s excellent news that research in GP practices is increasing. Thank you to all the participants and staff who have made this happen."

Participation figures continue to exceed pre-pandemic levels

Over the last year,  a total of 1,045,282 participants across England took part in health and care research. This is the fourth year in a row that around a million participants have been involved in research supported by the NIHR CRN. 

In the North East and North Cumbria, 65,940 participants took part in CRN-supported research. This is around a 40% increase over the previous year. They got involved in research for a number of conditions including heart disease, type 1 diabetes and colorectal cancer.

The CRN has helped recruit more than 5.4m participants during the past 5 years. 

Morag Burton, Director of the Regional Research Delivery Network North East and North Cumbria, said:

“It’s fantastic to see that so many more people are being given the opportunity to take part in research from their local communities. This allows people from a wider variety of backgrounds to access new treatments and healthcare practices more easily.

I’d like to extend a huge thank you to all the local people who took part in research last year. Your contribution will help to improve the health and wellbeing of people from North East and North Cumbria, the UK and beyond.”

Everyone can take part in research, whether they have a health condition or not. The 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 the North East and North Cumbria at: www.bepartofresearch.uk.