Harrogate Health Trust prepares for International Clinical Trials Day

The Harrogate Health Trust is preparing for International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) on May 21st by inviting parents to learn more about the studies.

In order to celebrate ICTD, the research team at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust will be undertaking a number of activities on 21st to 23rd May, with the group visiting wards and outpatient departments to deliver information about the Trust’s trials, reports Harrogate News.

As well as this, there will be a stand in Herriot’s Restaurant at lunchtime on May 22nd, where original research posters from Trust staff will be exhibited and investigators will be in attendance to explain their ideas and answer questions from the public.

2013’s ICTD is being run with the theme of “It’s OK to ask”, with the group hoping to provide patients with the confidence and information they require to raise the subject of clinical research.

Furthermore, the event will encourage people working in a clinical environment to consider the patient-led approaches to research and the different ways they can respond to patients.

ICTD takes place on May 20th to mark the day that James Lind began his trial on the scurvy disease.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser at the Department of Health, said: “Clinical Trials are a vital element of the work supported and funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

“Our role is to develop the research evidence to support decision making by professionals, policy makers and patients, make this evidence available, and make it available through publication to encourage its uptake and use.”

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) provides a number of support and facilities to support the ICTD.

It also offers the Clinical Research Network, which helps to offer infrastructure that enables high-quality clinical research to be carried out in the NHS.

Posted by Fiona Griffiths