People across Wales urged to sign up to biggest-ever health research campaign

The nation’s biggest-ever health research recruitment campaign push - to sign up to 1.5 million people to the Be Part of Research register - launched Monday 16 June.

People across Wales are being encouraged to sign up to a new national health register, Be Part of Research, which connects volunteers with local research studies aimed at improving healthcare, treatments and services. 

During its pilot phase, Be Part of Research helped recruit more than 90,000 people to over 100 health and social care studies. These ranged from helping find new cancer treatments to testing new services to help people with chronic pain live a fulfilling life - paving the way for today’s official launch. 

Be Part of Research helps find suitable health and care research studies based on interests, location - age, sex and ethnicity. People can sign up online for free and select the health conditions they are interested in. They are then sent suitable study opportunities by email - making it easier to find and take part in vital health and care research. 

This national volunteer registry was created in a UK-wide partnership between the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the UK’s devolved administrations, the NHS and Health and Care Research Wales.

People from across the country have participated in health and social care research studies, proving that anyone can take part and every contribution counts.

For example, Farhana Badat, from Newport, took part in the FAKTION clinical trial which tested a new treatment for incurable breast cancer. Farhana said:

“Taking part in the trial has given me the time to be able to see all if my six grandchildren grow up and for my husband and I to visit so many new places. It has given me perspective on life and encouraged me to enjoy every day.”

Kevin McDonald, 70, from Taff’s Well, took part in the ELIPSE study, the UK’s largest surgical urological trial, which is investigating the most effective treatment options for men with high-risk prostate cancer. Kevin said:

"I had a few reservations at first, but after speaking to the nurse I felt reassured and decided to go for it. In my mind, there was no harm in taking part if it could help other patients and improve care for the future."

Carol Barrett, 70, from Cardiff, participated in the TIPTOE study which tested a personalised support programme for people living with knee and hip pain. Carol said: 

"The physiotherapist quickly identified that the muscles around my right knee weren’t as strong. With her guidance, I followed a personalised set of exercises from the MyJointPain website at home. It noticed an improvement to my knee strength and confidence."

Gareth Cross, Deputy Director of Science, Research and Evidence at Welsh Government, said:

“Many people don’t realise there are health and social care studies happening on their doorstep.

“Through Be Part of Research, we want to help people in Wales find those opportunities and take part in studies which could benefit them, their families and communities for years to come.

“This is one way that we are making research more accessible and inclusive. We’re empowering people to play an active role in advancing science and improving lives.” 

Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, said: 

“Every year more than a million people across the UK take part in health and care research. It’s their contributions that make new discoveries possible, helping to improve care, treatments and health outcomes for everyone. But we know that finding the right opportunity to volunteer isn’t always easy for patients or the public. 

“Be Part of Research puts these opportunities within reach, so that the people of Wales can more readily benefit from the life-changing impact of health and care research - now and in the future. 

“I urge everyone in Wales to sign up to Be Part of Research. Wherever you live and whatever your age, ethnicity or background, you can help shape the treatments and care of tomorrow.”

People across Wales can sign up to be contacted about opportunities to take part in studies that are right for them by creating a free Be Part of Research account.

The studies on Be Part of Research take place in a range of places, including hospitals, GP practices, or even from home. Everyone can take part in research, whether they have a health condition or not since some studies seek people without the condition being studied, so researchers can compare them to those who have it.