Get involved in research

There are opportunities for the public to get involved in different ways.

1. You can find out more about research from this website or by attending public events

The Biomedical Research Centre and partners run public events, such as celebrating International Clinical Trials Day in May every year. Find out more about our public events on our Event Listings.

2. You can participate in research studies

If you are interested in participating in research studies there are a number of ways in which you can get involved:

• If you are under the care of a consultant or GP for a particular health condition, speak to them initially about clinical trials that may be suitable for you.
• The UK Clinical Research Network Study Portfolio lists a large number of studies that are open to recruitment, along with study contact details.
• ICON Development Solutions have a clinical trials facility located on the Central Manchester University Hospitals campus. More information about how to participate in clinical trials can be found on the ICON website.

3. You can get involved in research by working with researchers to help plan and run studies

There are opportunities to join patient advisory groups for research studies or work with researchers as patient representatives. Your active involvement will help the researchers consider the patient’s perspective and they will value your input greatly.

People in Research has a national database of opportunities to allow you to find out how you could get involved in this way.

4.  You can contribute to other activities at Central Manchester University Hospitals
There are many ways to get involved with the work of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust(which includes Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, the University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Saint Mary's Hospital and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital).

• Sign up with the Patient and Public Involvement Team to take part in a large variety of projects, including sitting on patient panels.
• Sign up to become a volunteer with the Trust's Volunteer Service, who play a key role in making sure that all patients and visitors to the hospitals have as positive an experience as possible.
• Sign up to become a member of the Foundation Trust and contribute to future plans for these hospitals.

Case study:

Patients help to increase awareness of genetic conditions

Alisa’s Tale: A Short Story is the result of a project run by Nowgen to explore the patient perspective. The graphic novel is centred on Alisa, a young woman with the restricted growth condition achondroplasia.

A study participant with achondroplasia and a member of the public with restricted growth were members of the steering committee for the project, which brought together artist Al Davison, an actor and clinical psychologist, and 17 teenagers.

With valued patient input, the graphic novel has been distributed to raise awareness of restricted growth conditions amongst healthcare professionals and the public.

For more information about this project please email kate.dack@cmft.nhs.uk.

Useful resources:

• People in Research's jargon buster
• INVOLVE's Q&A on getting involved in research
• Genetic Alliance UK - A patient organisation that can give further information about research on genetic conditions
• PatientPartner - Supporting greater patient involvement in designing clinical trials