We Are an RCGP Research Ready Accredited Practice
At Jacksdale Medical Centre, we are proud to be an RCGP (Royal College of General Practitioners) Research Ready accredited practice. This means we actively participate in high-quality medical research to improve healthcare for everyone.
What Does It Mean to Be Research Active?
As a research-active practice, we take part in studies to better understand health issues and develop improved treatments or services. This could involve:
- Completing questionnaires.
- Sharing anonymised health data (with consent).
- Participating in interviews or research studies.
- Testing new treatments, therapies, or healthcare approaches.
Why Get Involved in Research?
Research helps answer key questions, such as:
- How can we improve treatments and services?
- Are these treatments or services cost-effective?
- How do health conditions develop over time?
- What do patients and healthcare professionals think about specific interventions?
Evidence shows that patients treated in research-active settings often experience better health outcomes. Research not only leads to better treatments and services but also improves our understanding of health conditions and the needs of patients.
The overwhelming majority of patients who take part in research report having a positive experience, knowing they’ve contributed to the development of new treatments and medicines that benefit patients now and in the future.
Our Commitment to High Standards: Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Training
Our team follows the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, which ensure that all NHS research is conducted to the highest standards. GCP training is essential for anyone involved in clinical research. It ensures staff are well-prepared to carry out their roles effectively and ethically, as outlined in the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care (2005).
The principles of GCP state that every individual involved in research must be appropriately trained and qualified to carry out their tasks. By adhering to these standards, we ensure research is conducted safely, ethically, and with the best interests of patients in mind.
Supporting Research Through the Research Sites Initiative (RSI)
We are currently a Level 1 practice under the Research Sites Initiative (RSI). This scheme provides funding to help general practices build and maintain the infrastructure needed to support research activity as part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portfolio.
How Can You Get Involved?
Patients at our practice can get involved in research in several ways:
- Your doctor or nurse may invite you to take part during an appointment.
- You could receive an invitation by post if a study matches your health profile.
- You may see information about a study on our website or noticeboards and choose to contact us for more details.
Participation is entirely voluntary. You’re free to say no, and this will not affect your care or relationship with our team. If you do decide to take part, you’ll receive detailed information about the study and have the chance to ask questions before giving your consent.
Your Privacy and Safety
Your privacy is our priority. We will only share your details with a research team if you’ve given explicit permission. Any access to your medical records will be clearly explained, and only the necessary information will be used.