Local mental health trust recruits medical research volunteers

Medical research changes lives and is vital, as it can provide important information about disease trends and risk factors, outcomes of treatment or public health interventions, patterns of care and health care costs.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) has recruited volunteers to become Patient Research Ambassadors (PRAs) to help promote studies and encourage participation.

PRAs promote health research from a patient point of view. They can be patients, service users, or carers, who use their enthusiasm and experience to promote research to patients, the public and other healthcare professionals.

PRAs are supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) who introduced the programme to raise the profile of research and the important role it plays in developing health care.

Tracy McCranor, Clinical Research Manager said:

“We have chosen to launch the scheme as part of our Research Week – which incorporates the NIHR Be Part of Research campaign.

“Patient Research Ambassadors will make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the Lincolnshire community and we are looking forward to them working with us.”

Cllr Diana Rodgers and Martin Daly have today completed their induction and first day of work at LPFT.  As well as working across Lincolnshire, they will now join other PRAs across the region to encourage patients and members of the public to be part of research.

Cllr Rodgers is from the North Lincoln area and is an independent district counsellor who has an interest in research activity.

Martin, from Louth, is an ex-RAF serviceman who has been active in many volunteer roles since leaving the RAF. He is interested in supporting mental health research as he feels there is a deficit in current health promotion.

Martin said:

“I applied to become a patient research ambassador to further the cause of mental health. I have really enjoyed learning more about the role today and meeting my new colleagues.

“I can’t wait to get out and about and get people signed up to taking part in research studies. It’s such a worthwhile role and I’m honoured to be able help medical research.”