Thank You, Research Nurses and staff

A Thank You to Research Nurses and all others who help research to take place in health and social care! 

A huge thank you to all the many individuals and teams who help make research happen here in the National Health Service (NHS) throughout the UK and indeed across the world. 

If I had my way I would have this sign at the front of every hospital, general practice, clinic, dentists, care home, hospice, etc.  - 

"WE TAKE PRIDE IN RESEARCH AS THE BEST MEANS OF GAINING EVIDENCE TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR PATIENTS AND FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE." Signed by the staff. 

                    OR something very similar!

My praise is for all our Research Nurses, other allied health professionals, data managers and the Research Delivery Managers (RDMs) [Apologies if I have missed any 'titles' - tweet your title @DerekCStewart and I will add to list]. It is you the many individuals and teams who help make research happen here in the National Health Service (NHS) throughout the UK and indeed across the world. 

Basically, if YOU are helping get research set up, helping recruit patients, collecting samples or inputing data then, simply - THANK YOU!

You do fantastic work enabling people like me to hear about research opportunities. You give the opportunity to consider participating and help us talk about the latest research findings. Wendy Mitchell's blog 'WHO AM I TODAY' eloquently expresses the need for research and the real value of being part of this research community especially during weeks that are tough to get through.. 

Last week, I had great pleasure is taking part in the 'world first' TweetFEST with the hashtag #whywedoresearch  and the campaign website.

Click on the links and have a look. It will enthuse, inspire and may just help get you out of bed to go to work with a smile on your face. 

It was a fantastic dialogue between patients, the public and healthcare workers that had neither 'sides' between these communities nor 'boundaries' of countries throughout the world. 

It was mutually beneficial, aired views, challenged opinions and made me realise what a wonderful group of individuals we have working to help find the best evidence for the care, treatment and services we receive. 

The TweetFEST was organised by @ClaireW_UK and @keeling_michael - planning was done through a tweet and some rapid direct messaging. The value of Social Media (The term is SoMe I have now found out so have a look with that #)  

Thanks were also given to all research participants by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) which celebrates its 10th birthday this year. 

NIHR provides the infrastructure for research in the NHS in England and hosts the International Clinical Trials Day and you can visit the OK to Ask page on this website to find out more about how to get involved yourself, or sign up to the free online course “Improving healthcare through clinical research” at bit.ly/CRN_MOOC to improve your understanding of clinical research. Tweetchat on the MOOC Thursday 26th 1900-2000hrs

A final word about the NIHR Clinical Research Network, with whom I work as an Associate Director one day a week. We recently produced our Strategy for Involving and Engaging Patients and the public (LINK to be ADDED).

It seems to me that the TweetFEST ticked all the boxes.

A previous post on this blog was in praise of researchers and I can assure you the the same sentiments apply - THANK YOU!