A pilot project led by NIHR BRC Leicester respiratory nurses to share research expertise with colleagues in primary care is widening participation in research in Leicester.
Michelle Bourne, the NIHR BRC Leicester Respiratory and Infection theme manager, said: “Research is a core component of high‑quality, preventative healthcare, and there should be more opportunities for patients to take part in studies that could benefit themselves and others, close to home in their local communities.
“Establishing this research liaison role in this pilot project was a way for us to support our colleagues in primary care to confidently provide these opportunities.”
In the new research liaison role, respiratory research nurse, Sarah Edwards reached out to colleagues at Heath Lane Surgery GP Practice, where she worked with them to improve communication pathways, support joint feasibility assessments, and enhance the research capability of their colleagues.
To do this, she led on a number of engagement activities including structured practice visits, bespoke respiratory training and also supported them in the successful selection for a phase 3 commercial trial (with Dr Priestman at Heath Lane Practice as Principal Investigator and in collaboration with the NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network).
Michelle Bourne added: “This project was a way for us to support our colleagues in primary care to confidently provide research opportunities for their patients, and we were delighted that it was a success.
“The project achieved measurable progress including increased GP engagement, improved primary care research involvement processes, and it led to many people signing up to hear about opportunities to take part in respiratory research which led to increased participation in a commercial study.
“These outcomes demonstrate the value of a dedicated liaison role in widening patient access, and shows strong potential for long‑term impact, offering a scalable approach to building more integrated, equitable, and prevention‑focused research across primary and secondary care.”