Various clinical trials are undertaken at the practice, for which patient volunteers are sought from time to time. We would contact you in person or in writing and there are often posters displayed in the waiting room.

What is Research?

There are many different types of research from observational surveys to clinical trials involving new and novel medications. These are often comparing best-known standard therapies with newer therapies to see if they are more effective or cause fewer side effects. People use research to try and find the causes of diseases and to find better treatments and services for those diseases.

Research is particularly important in Primary Care as we can see the importance and effects of different treatments in a real setting, not the artificial setting of hospitals or in-patient research units. We are particularly interested in important conditions affecting patients in Primary Care (General Practice).

The research areas are very varied depending on what is new, has great potential or areas where research is especially needed.

Research at St Mary’s Surgery

St Mary’s Surgery has an excellent track record in clinical studies.

We have been invited to perform studies from many institutions large and small e.g Novartis, GSK, Astra-Zenica, Bayer.  At present we have several active studies ongoing in the practice involving us and many other institutions worldwide. We are affiliated to UKPCRN. The UK Research Network was established to support clinical research and to facilitate the conduct of trials and other well-designed studies across the UK. As part of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, it works towards the development of a world class infrastructure to support clinical research in the UK.

Many of you may have been involved in non-commercial trials that we have participated in through our local Primary Care Research Network East Of England (PCRN – EoE)  For example the Heat Study, Propels Study, GLINT Study, Baby Milk Study etc.

We also collaborate with the GSK Clinical Unit in Cambridge who, from time to time, are looking for healthy volunteers and patients to participate in studies.  We would never pass on your details to them without asking for your consent.

National Diabetes Audit (NDA)

St Mary’s Surgery are taking part in an important national project about diabetes care and treatment in the NHS.