Come and join us on International Clinical Trials Day!

Each year, on or around 20th May we celebrate International Clinical Trials Day, to commemorate the anniversary of the very first clinical trial by James Lind.

This year we celebrate under the national theme of ‘It’s OK to ask’, set by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), to encourage more patients to ask about research studies and getting involved in research.

International Clinical Trials Day is on or around 20th May each year and commemorates the anniversary of the very first clinical trial by James Lind.  Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT) is one of a number of Trusts celebrating International Clinical Trials Day under the theme of ‘It’s OK to ask’, set by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).  By focusing our efforts on one theme nationally, we hoped to have a greater impact.

On International Clinical Trials Day, visitors and patients at the hospital will have the opportunity to register their interest in getting involved with a research user group to support researchers across all clinical areas.  Learn more about how members of the public can help shape research in the NHS.

The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

Humphrey the hospital’s charity mascot will greet children visiting the stand. Research staff have developed games, puzzles, quizzes and patient diaries to provide a fun way for younger patients to learn about research.

Saint Mary’s Hospital

The stand will involve an interactive poster, through which visitors can learn about research in a hands-on way; and games including guess the name of the first baby recruited to a clinical trial, and guess the number of patients recruited to trials from Saint Mary’s overall. Patients will also be invited to pose their questions about research on post-it notes that will be displayed at the stand. Their questions will be collated and used to improve our patient information materials.

Royal Manchester Eye Hospital

The research team will have a novel technology called the Bionic Eye on display, which through trialling at the hospital has helped blind people see patterns of light that help them to navigate the world. The stand will also be demonstrating a CPAP machine, which is used to help people with sleep apnoea breathe more freely during in the night and is currently being employed in a clinical trial on diabetic patients at CMFT. Representatives from the Manchester Vision Regeneration Lab – a research group at the Eye Hospital concentrating on innovative technology for improving vision – will be on hand throughout the day.

Manchester Royal Infirmary

The Specialist Medicine stand will feature randomisation machine, through which visitors can in a mock clinical trial. The stand will also include information on drug development and an ongoing haematology study.

The Acute Medicine stand will allow patients to interact with the display through the use of a blood pressure machine. The team will also be using a model of the human body to explain the importance of research.

You might also be interested to see our new window graphics on the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) / Wellcome Trust Manchester Clinical Research Facility. The Patient Zone project, which also comprises materials inside the reception and waiting areas, aims to increase public awareness that the facility conducts research and its key clinical focus areas.