Many General Practices in the CCG take part in some form of
research, in fact Oldham CCG is one of the most research active CCGs in Greater
Manchester. Practices offer their
patients the opportunity to take part in research studies relevant to their
condition. The ethics, quality and
safety of this research is very tightly controlled by the Greater Manchester
Clinical Research Network of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) https://www.crn.nihr.ac.uk/greater-manchester/
Since 2010 there have been 42 studies undertaken and
recruitment closed although not all have finished being analysed and published
yet.
Topics researched in the 5 years to 2015 have included: respiratory
health and its effect on quality of life, mental health, neurological problems,
cardiovascular disease, cancer and issues around organisation and quality of
health services.
There are 3 studies actively recruiting Oldham patients at
the moment:
·
TIME (Treatment
In Morning versus Evening) - cardiovascular conditions treatment
·
The Million Women Study – a massive national
survey involving more than a million women over 50. It is collecting information on diet, exercise, employment patterns, oral
contraceptive use, childbirth and breastfeeding, and family history of illness,
then matching this over the coming years with development of cancers, bone
disease , cardiovascular disease and other conditions. More details are here: http://www.millionwomenstudy.org/introduction/
·
British Society for
Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR) – looking at the safety of the newer
treatments (biologic therapy) for disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis
The CCG strives to support its practices and staff to
develop professionally by involvement in research and clinical audit. The CCG is also keen to work with Oldham
Council on the health and social care research agenda.
Julie Hotchkiss, interim Consultant in Public Health, 29
June 2016