Collaborative working allows research to flow seamlessly between primary and secondary care

Many research studies which take place in secondary care involve a primary care element; either the patients are recruited from, or followed-up in, a primary care setting. The Leeds-based team of Primary Care Research Network Northern and Yorkshire has been supported by colleagues in West Yorkshire Comprehensive Local Research Network to build links across a range of studies to ensure that primary care patients have the opportunity to take part in such trials.

Over the last 12 months the PCRN team assisted with the follow-up (in primary care) of a national secondary care-based cardiology study; identified and supported practices to screen patients for a commercial secondary care-based COPD study; and helped a study team with home visits to carry out a study procedure on babies who were recruited after being born in hospital.

The Leeds-based PCRN team plan to continue this collaborative approach which allows research activity to flow seamlessly in both directions between primary and secondary care research environments.

For more information about this article contact:

Angela Wray
Research Nurse
Primary Care Research Network Northern and Yorkshire, West Yorkshire spoke
e: angela.wray@nyren.co.uk