Haematology research open day success
The non-malignant haematology research team held a successful open day for patients and public to learn more about research at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
The event invited patients and public interested in learning more about haematology research to hear from specialist consultants and a workshop was held to generate group discussion around overcoming barriers to research participation.
Research taking place within the area of non-malignant haematology at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) includes; early phase clinical trials of haemostatic agents, gene therapy, haematology disease areas and associated clotting disorders such as haemophilia.
Specialist talks on specific disease areas such Consultant Haematologist Dr Kate Ryan’s research into sickle cell and thalassemia and the latest developments in gene therapy research by Professor Charles Hay.
Amy Pickwell, Clinical Research Nurse, who helped organise the event said;
We believe todays’ research is the standard care of tomorrow and feel it’s important for us to engage with our patients to find out their needs and considerations so that we can understand potential barriers to recruitment participation from a patient’s perspective.
Dr Jecko Thachil delivered an interesting discussion on Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) research. Currently there is no cure for ITP and around 3000 people in the UK have the disease in which the immune system mistakes platelets as being foreign and destroys them.
Hazel who attended the event, has lived with ITP all of her life and has taken part in research studies by having an extra blood test taken during routine treatment. Hazel hopes to take part in more research studies in the future and said:
I took part in research because I know that it will benefit people with ITP in the future.
