Research – Information for service users, carers and staff

• Research is a process to gain new knowledge.
• Research aims to improve services and benefit patients.
• Research results help to influence future NHS practice.

• Research helps us to understand the best way to look after people.
• Research can provide information to help decide where funding will be spent.
• NHS Trusts that are more active in research have been shown to have better outcomes compared with organisations that do less research.

All research involving service users or their relatives or carers is governed by the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, and is reviewed by an independent NHS Research Ethics Committee.

Anyone can take part in research. This could be:
• Service users
• Carers
• Relatives
• Staff
• The public

Under the NHS Constitution we are obliged to offer those who use our services the opportunity to take part in research which may be relevant to them.

If your clinical team thinks you may be eligible for a particular research project we may approach you to see whether you would be interested in taking part or finding out more information.

A number of people are usually involved in running research projects. This could be:
• Clinicians from the NHS
• Academics from Universities
• NHS Clinicians/Investigators working with Commercial organisations
• Service Users and Carers

This research may also have received funding. This could be from:
• NHS England
• The National Institute for Health Research
• UK Research and Innovation and Research Councils
• Medical research charities
• Industry and commercial companies

Each project is different and will involve different people and partnerships. You will be told who the partners and funders are in research projects.

• No. Only people who want to take part will be included.
• Researchers will be careful to ask about consent and willingness.
• Part of checking that people want to be involved means giving a full explanation of what is involved in a way that is understood.
• Anyone who doesn’t want to be involved can choose not to, or stop at any time.
• Some research may be done without consent which would only be done using anonymised data.

Yes. We have three mailing lists to keep in touch:
• The Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network, or ‘DeNDRoN’ Case Register is for people interested in research in the areas of dementia or neurodegenerative disease. This includes conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
• The ‘Mental Health Research Register’ is for people interested in research in the areas of mental health, developmental conditions, and addictions. This includes conditions such as Psychosis, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Autism, Alcoholism and Drug Addictions.
• The ‘Neurological Disorders Research Register’ is for people interested in research in areas including Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Dystonia, Cerebral Palsy and Spinal Injuries.

People who sign up are contacted about research studies they might be interested in. You will occasionally receive newsletters with information about public events and progress in research.
Being on either of the registers does not mean you have to take part in anything. You can come off the mailing list if you don’t find it useful.

We do many types of research studies. These can include:
• Questionnaires and surveys
• Interviews and focus groups
• Psychological treatments
• Other interventions
• Medication or device trials

We also use a Clinical Records Interactive Search (CRIS) system. This allows anonymised data to be part of trust wide and national research.

People with lived experience have a key role in making sure research studies are relevant, high quality, and have a positive impact on health services. If you would like to be involved in:
• Designing and shaping research
• Improving the quality of research
• Building trust between researchers and the public
• Helping to share research findings

Please contact:
[email protected]

If you would like some more information you can:
• Sign up to the Mental Health Research Register by emailing [email protected] This register is managed by Newcastle University and your personal details will be stored safely with Newcastle University.
• Sign up to the DeNDRoN Case Register or the Neurological Disorders Research Register by emailing [email protected]
• To get more information about any of the research we do at CNTW, contact [email protected] or call 0191 246 7388 and leave a message.

Only people who want to be involved will be included. Researchers will be careful to ask about consent and willingness.

If you would prefer not to be notified about potential research projects, please speak to your clinician. There is also a national opt out here www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/

If you would like to know more about the research we do at CNTW, please email us at [email protected] or visit our website at
www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/research-and-development/

Thank you for reading this information leaflet.

We are grateful to all participants who have helped develop this leaflet and the research projects in CNTW. Please get in touch if you have any further questions.

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2023 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref, PIC/831/1023 October 2023 V3
www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2026