Research
Research at Concord Medical Centre
Improving and developing medicine and social care requires research. The whole team at Concord are passionate to see this happen and are actively working on numerous research projects. We are truly grateful to our patients who support us by participating in these exciting research projects and helping us improve care for the future.
The research team at Concord is hugely successful, with thanks to both our patients and team. In 2023 approximately 1,300 patients at Concord took part in research studies.
We have won two NIHR CRN West of England awards in 2023:
- Collaboration in research as a site
- Collaborative work on the Harmonie study- looking at protecting babies from RSV with a new antibody treatment.
The core research team consists of Dr Nafeesa Arshad (Lead GP), Helen Talbot (Senior Research Nurse), and our administrator Wincy Chan.
We work alongside a wide range of both clinical and non-clinical staff in the set-up and running of our research studies. These includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, reception, and admin staff.
Taking part in research
Taking part in any research study is always voluntary. We respect patients’ decision to decline or withdraw at any point of a study, this will not affect your care at Concord in any way.
You may be invited by letter, phone call or text if you meet the criteria for a study. We are always happy to discuss any questions or provide more information. You can contact the Research Team via our online consultation form or by leaving a message with any member of the Concord team and we will contact you.
Is our research safe and ethical?
All our research studies have been approved by the appropriate ethical and regulatory authorities. Our research team are fully qualified and trained to safely perform the studies. Full information is provided about the study and sufficient time is offered to discuss and answer any questions prior to consenting and taking part.
Some studies only involve collecting agreed information. However, if a medicine product is offered, the potential risks and benefits will be explained by our doctors and nurses verbally and in writing so that you have plenty of time to decide if you would like to take part.
If you wish to find out more information about health and care research. Please read more on: Be Part of Research
Studies we are currently recruiting to:
BAXDROSTAT study
Do you, or does someone you know, have high blood pressure that is not being controlled by current medication?
A new clinical study is looking into potential new treatments that could help improve blood pressure control and reduce the risk of other associated health conditions, like heart attacks, strokes, and chronic kidney disease.
If you are over 18 years and would like to know more about the study, contact the Research Team via our online consultation form or by leaving a message with any member of the Concord team and we will contact you.
TIGER study
Do you have a child 3 months to 2 years old who has eczema?
Would you like to improve the treatment of eczema?
If so, the TIGER study needs you!
We want to find out whether making changes to the diet of children with eczema, based on the results of food allergy tests, improves eczema control.
If you are interested in taking part or would like to find out more, please contact the study team using the details below.
Name: TIGER Trial Manager
Telephone: 0117 455 3039
Email: tiger-study@bristol.ac.uk
You can find out more online at: https://tiger.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/
ATHENA study
This surgery is supporting the ATHENA shingles study
We want to find out if taking amitriptyline can prevent the persistent pain that some people get after shingles.
50 years or older and recently got shingles? You may be able to take part. Ask your doctor for more information.
Website: www.bristol.ac.uk/athena-study
Email: athena-study@bristol.ac.uk
Twitter: @AthenaStudy
TOUCAN study
This study is testing new devices which aim to tell GPs whether you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Some of these devices will also tell GPs which antibiotics will be best to use if you have an infection.
By participating, you will be making a valued contribution to knowledge on how UTIs can be diagnosed faster and how antibiotics can be prescribed more accurately in future.
If you decide to take part, you will be asked to provide a fresh urine sample and fill in a short questionnaire.
Who can take part?
Are you biologically female and over 18 years with a suspected UTI?
Contact the Research Team via our online consultation form or by leaving a message with any member of the Concord team and we will contact you.
Discover Me study
Find out more:
Email: uk@discovermestudy.com
Tel: 020 3866 8941
Study website: www.discovermestudy.com/dmuk
Successful previous studies have included:
Harmonie study
Involved an immunisation to babies under 12 months of age, to protect them against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). Concord recruited well to this study, with great patient support. The preliminary results show this new immunisation to be both effective and safe in reducing RSV hospitalisations.
Heropa study
This is study looks at an Amino Acid from Herring Roe Oil for mild to moderate Psoriasis. Once again, we have had great support from our patients and look forward to seeing the results from this exciting trial.
Prelude study
Looked at the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes and Fatty Liver Disease. Over 400 of Concord patients took part and we are truly grateful to them.
Examples of other studies we have recruited to, include preventing dementia by looking at exercise regimes and keeping healthy into older age; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the use of amitriptyline; and medication reviews for patients who are taking a high number of medicines. And the list could go on!