If you don’t find a research study to take part in, you might consider joining the NIHR ‘Be Part of Research’ programme. You can take part with or without a health condition. More information can be found in the video below.

‘Be Part of Research’

Research & Development is at the heart of everything we do at NELFT. We want to make sure that our staff, service users, their families and carers have every opportunity to take part in and benefit from research.

Last year, over 1,500 service users, carers and colleagues took part in over 50 research studies at NELFT. None of this would be possible without your involvement!

We want to share the message that research is for EVERYONE! We want to conduct high-quality research that addresses local and national healthcare needs, informs clinical practice and contributes to the advancement of knowledge within NELFT and the wider community. We want to ensure that every service user, family member, carer and staff colleague, across all our locations have opportunities to participate in and benefit from clinical research, for better outcomes and improving lives. Today’s research is tomorrow’s healthcare!

Meaningful research cannot be done in isolation.  We can’t reach our aims without you! Whether you have lived experiences of conditions, on-the-ground knowledge, clinical expertise or academic skills, we want you to take part in, help deliver and help design leading projects. This might look like:

• taking part in a research study and accessing the latest treatments and therapies
• helping researchers design a study by joining a Patient-Public Involvement (PPI) group
• working with our team to start your own research
• learning about the results from our projects

We want to conduct impactful research across key healthcare domains at NELFT, including mental health, community health, integrated care and health inequalities. We strive to deliver research that represents and benefits the people living in our communities and aligns with local healthcare needs and population health priorities. This holistic approach considers the diversity and needs of the communities we serve, to enable meaningful outcomes that benefit those most affected.  We would love you to be with us on this journey.

NHS Trusts that are actively involved in research experience the well-evidenced ‘Research effect’. Being research active delivers wide-ranging benefits for patients, their families and carers, the wider community and NHS staff.  

Evidence shows that health and care organisations engaged in research achieve better patient outcomes, including higher patient confidence in staff, reduced mortality rates, and overall improvements in the quality of care.  Research activity also plays an important role in attracting and retaining talented staff, who value the opportunities it provides for professional fulfilment and career development.

Further information about the research effect is available from the National Institute for Health and Care Research(NIHR).

‘Find out more about the ‘Research Effect’

By getting involved in research at NELFT, you are helping to shape the future of healthcare in your local area while also making a difference to lives far beyond it, as research findings can influence care worldwide. You may also have the opportunity to experience cutting-edge treatments, technologies and therapies first-hand, while developing your own skills and understanding of research.

We currently have more than 30 research studies actively seeking participants – why not take a look?

Browse studies that you could take part in today