Ratby Medical Centre is proud to work alongside the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the UK's largest funder of health and care research. Through this partnership, we can offer our patients the opportunity to take part in high-quality NHS research studies that aim to improve healthcare, develop new treatments, and shape the future of medicine. Every study supported by the NIHR is carefully reviewed to ensure it is safe, ethical, and designed with patients' best interests at its heart. By working with the NIHR, we're helping to bring research closer to our local community and giving our patients the opportunity to contribute to advances that could benefit people across the UK and beyond.

We are delighted to announce that Ratby Medical Centre is now an NHS Research Practice, marking an exciting new chapter in the care we provide to our patients and community.

Research is at the heart of improving healthcare. Many of the medicines, treatments and services we use every day in the NHS have only become available because patients chose to take part in research studies. By becoming a research-active practice, we are helping to shape the future of healthcare while giving our patients the opportunity to access innovative research that could benefit both themselves and others.

What does this mean for our patients?

As a research practice, we may occasionally invite eligible patients to take part in approved NHS research studies. These studies cover a wide range of health conditions and may involve questionnaires, interviews, new ways of managing existing conditions, or clinical trials of treatments and medicines.

Taking part in research is always completely voluntary. If you are invited to participate, you will receive full information about the study before deciding whether you would like to take part. Choosing not to participate will never affect the care or treatment you receive from our practice.

Why is research important?

Medical research helps us to:

• Improve patient care and treatment.

• Develop new medicines and therapies.

• Better understand health conditions.

• Improve NHS services for future generations.

• Ensure healthcare is based on the latest evidence.

Every research study carried out through the NHS undergoes rigorous ethical review and is carefully monitored to ensure it is safe and appropriate.

Working Together to Improve Healthcare

We are proud to be working alongside NHS research teams to support studies that could make a real difference to healthcare, both locally and nationally. By becoming a research practice, Ratby Medical Centre is helping to ensure our patients have the opportunity to contribute to important medical advances while continuing to receive the high-quality, compassionate care they expect from us.

If you are invited to take part in a research study, there is absolutely no obligation to participate. However, if you do choose to get involved, you could play an important role in improving healthcare for future generations.

GCP Qualified staff within our practice: 

• Sarah Smith - Practice Manager
• Chelsea McKay - Assistant Practice Manager
• Dr Reema Parwaiz - GP Partner 
• Tamzin - Patient Services Advisor 

For further information on some of the studies we are participating in, please see the notice board in the waiting area!

Thank you for supporting Ratby Medical Centre as we continue to grow, innovate and deliver the very best care for our community.