Published: 03 May 2023
The NIHR is launching a new campaign calling on people to help shape the future by taking part in research that could one day help the NHS save lives.
The UK is home to some of the world's leading research institutions and the NIHR is one of the largest funders of research in the UK. It invested over £1.3 billion in health and social care research in 2021/22, helping to tackle a huge range of health challenges including cancer, diabetes, dementia, COVID-19, mental health and more.
So often this research has been made possible by the unique relationship between the NIHR and the NHS. The NIHR helped 1,289,937 participants take part in over 4,600 portfolio studies in England in 2021/22 and for the fifth year in succession, all NHS trusts across England delivered NIHR portfolio studies by helping their patients take part.
Launched to coincide with commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the NHS, the ‘Shape the Future’ campaign is calling on even more of the public to take part in research and sign up to clinical trials through its Be Part Of Research service - to help find the next breakthrough or innovation that will support the NHS provide even better care.
This service makes it easy for people - the public and health and care professionals alike - to find and take part in health and care research happening locally and nationally across the UK. It has introduced a new volunteer registry to make it even easier for everyone to be part of improving health treatments and care.
The NIHR will bolster the NHS through the next 75 years of its history and the studies it funds and supports have the power to shape the way health and care is delivered in the future.
NIHR Chief Executive Professor Lucy Chappell said:
“The NIHR funds and supports research that aims to make a difference to patients across the country – and even further afield. Our research covers all areas from the laboratory right through to the clinic. It leads to new treatments that benefit us in so many different ways, across so many different areas of health and care. We help the NHS provide the highest quality healthcare, and we constantly ask how we can improve the care and outcomes for all patients.
“Patients and the wider public are vital to this research - it is you who help researchers find the cures, treatments and breakthroughs that can help us, our friends and families to live the best and healthiest lives possible.
“At the NIHR we’re proud to be part of the remarkable 75-year history of our NHS. We want to help the service as it moves forward and tackles the health challenges of tomorrow. To do this, we need as many people as possible to shape the future. You can take part in this - sign up today to Be Part of Research and to make a difference.”
You can support the NIHR Shape the Future campaign by signing up to its Be Part of Research service online or via the NHS App (England only). You will then receive information on studies that match your interests.
Research impact
During the pandemic, research funded and supported by the NIHR helped to show dexamethasone significantly reduces the risk of dying from COVID-19 for patients needing respiratory intervention. Within a year, this helped NHS doctors and nurses save an estimated 22,000 lives in the UK alone, and over a million worldwide.
Research by the NIHR and other funders discovered that a high-sensitivity troponin (HST) test can identify, or rule out, heart attacks quickly and accurately. HST tests save the NHS more than £100 million every year.
More than 3,000 patients a year receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) through the NHS, thanks to research by the NIHR and other funders. MBCT is a group-based training programme that combines mindfulness meditation with elements of cognitive behavioural therapy to treat depression.
Minister of State for Health Will Quince said:
“NIHR is leading the way in cutting-edge research, ensuring a better quality of life for patients both now and in the future.
“From cancer to obesity, these research studies can lead to billions of pounds in savings for the NHS and reduced waiting lists through faster diagnosis and enhanced treatment.
“This research can’t take place without volunteers so I encourage anyone eligible to sign up to the registry to play their part, as these are the people who help researchers find medical breakthroughs through analysing their background which will help us and our loved ones live longer and healthier lives.”
Timothy’s story
Timothy Stickland, 66, was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer, in March 2015. He took part in an NIHR-supported clinical trial looking at a new combination of chemotherapy drugs to evaluate their effectiveness in treating Myeloma. Results from part of the trial showed some drugs stopped myeloma from coming back.
He said: “My experience in taking part in this trial was and is still very positive, although some of the treatment was quite difficult at first, I was supported by a good team including doctors and research nurses who were available at all times who were able to help me understand what was happening, which made the taking part a lot easier.
“Research is the best way to advance medical treatments and taking part in a research programme may give you access to the newest advances in clinical science. You will have support during any trial by a research specialist or nurse who you can contact to ask questions. You will always be treated for whatever condition you have. Although the results of the clinical trial that you take part in may not always help you, they will be helping those who come after you.”
NHSE are celebrating the contribution of staff throughout its history and will be holding special events including NHS Park Run and The Big Tea over the summer.