A Scotland wide bid to improve the success of health research projects is officially launched in the North East tomorrow (Thursday 10th October).
SHARE is an initiative from NHS ResearchScotland, aimed at creating a database of people willing to participate in research work. By signing up to the register, each participant allows SHARE to use information in their health records to see if they might be suitable for an upcoming project. People are then approached and asked if they would like to take part. There is no obligation to participate and people can leave the register at any time.
Professor David Reid, Research & Development Director NHS Grampian and the Head of School of Medicine and Dentistry said “The University of Aberdeen - in association with NHS Grampian - have a great reputation, internationally, for many pioneering medical research projects. These have improved patient care and improved our understanding of a variety of health conditions. This would not have been possible without the support of local volunteers."
Dr Sam Philip, clinical lead for SHARE in NHS Grampian explains how SHARE will help “Clinical trials are vital to the development of new medicines and other new life saving treatments for use within the National Health Service. Finding suitable participants is one of the main reasons for delay in a clinical trial. This register aims to remove that delay.”
It is hoped up to one million Scots will sign up to the register, providing researchers with a great resource for approved studies and allowing them to test the feasibility of future trials. Established and approved record linkage methods developed within the Scottish Health Informatics Programme (SHIP) will allow linkage to a wide variety of health databases, governed by current NHS and academic regulations.
SHARE will get its North East launch tomorrow evening at the Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare. Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Cllr George Adam, NHS Grampian Chief Executive, Richard Carey and University of Aberdeen Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Diamond will sign up to the register. There will also be presentations from a number of doctors and researchers. The event begins at 5pm and is open to the public, as well as current patients and both NHS and University staff.