The online service Be Part of Research that enables people to take part in and find out more about innovative health research has now been made available through the NHS App in England.
The move was announced by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, at the motor neurone disease roundtable last week, and is just the latest action made by leaders to streamline research delivery to the benefit of people up and down the country.
Via Be Part of Research, the public can learn about what participating in a clinical trial actually means for them, what the latest research is around the UK and locally, and what the ultimate goals of the various studies are.
The service is run by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), whose Chief Executive, Professor Lucy Chappell, commented on the news saying: “Research improves health and social care for patients and the public, and underpins the discovery of new treatments and innovations in care, as well as helping the NHS make better use of resources and bringing inward investment from the global life sciences industry.
“We want everyone to be able to access research opportunities, no matter what health condition they have or where they live. I am excited that we are now making it even easier for people in England to find and register their interest in suitable research opportunities via the NHS App and Be Part of Research.”
With the online tool aimed at everyone from veteran health professionals to curious members of the public, the NIHR say Be Part of Research supports the UK’s plan for the Future of Clinical Research Delivery that set out back in 2021 how the Government wanted to develop a digitally-mature and people-centred clinical research portfolio that is fully integrated into the NHS.
Amongst its other purposes, the service is also a key facet of the global life sciences industry as well as being vital in the voluntary sector with it allowing charities to identify eligible participants quickly, which in turn leads to reduced costs, delays, and more efficient outcomes.
Steve Barclay added: “I encourage people in England to sign up to research via the NHS App and join our ever-growing UK-wide register Be Part of Research.”
To access the Be Part of Research website, click here.
