International Clinical Trials Day
Surajit

International Clinical Trials Day

It has never been more important for people to take part in health research, and this International Clinical Trials Day (Thursday 20 May) the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is saying thank you to everyone who has supported and participated in their work over the past year.

Since 1 April 2020, more than 120,000 (122,876 at 31 March 2021) participants across the eastern region have taken part in research supported and/or funded by the NIHR, the largest funder of health research in the country. This has been across 578 studies, 39 of which were Urgent Public Health studies, including studies dedicated to finding treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.

The NIHR’s Be Part of Research campaign is highlighting the vital difference these clinical research volunteers have made over the pandemic, and aims to help even more people to get involved.

One such local participant is Surajit, from Norfolk, who took part in a clinical trial to find a vaccine for COVID-19 at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. 

He said: “Everybody wants to try and do their bit, don’t they? Because I have type 2 diabetes and my background is Indian, I’m in a slightly higher risk category so I couldn’t get too close to the frontline, but I really wanted to do something.”

Surajit answered the call for volunteers to take part in the Novovax research trial at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) to test the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373.

He said: “Ultimately, we all benefit from research, so I’m glad I’ve taken part in that. Hopefully it will benefit mankind, and if the Novavax vaccine is approved for use it would be nice to know that I contributed.”

Since taking part in the Novavax study, Surajit has not only added his voice to a new NIHR panel to help researchers improve patients’ experience, he has also been inspired to become one of the NHS’s workforce as a Dispenser at a local GP practice! 

International Clinical Trials Day
Dr Helen Macdonald

Dr Helen Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer for the NIHR’s Clinical Research Network in the Eastern region, highlighted the importance of volunteers participation, saying: 

“We’re extremely grateful to Surajit and all our other Eastern volunteers who take part in research. The vital discoveries that have been made in finding treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, as well as all other conditions, are thanks to the generosity of participants who give their time and our extremely proficient NIHR research teams in this region and beyond. We really hope more people will join this community and chose to be part of research”.

Case Study: Surajit

Surajit, from near Holt, Norfolk, who took part in a clinical trial to find a vaccine for COVID-19 at a Norfolk hospital. Since then, he has not only added his voice to a new panel to help researchers improve the patient experience, he has also been inspired to become one of the NHS’s workforce.

After holidaying in Norfolk for many years, Surajit, who is originally from Lancashire, and his wife, Heather, decided to semi-retire to Holt in 2019. He had hoped to find a part time job putting his professional experience in banking and the police to use while enjoying the quiet country life.

However, when the pandemic hit UK shores, Surajit’s work plans had to go on hold, but he was eager to do something to help. He said: “Everybody wants to try and do their bit, don’t they? Because I have type 2 diabetes and my background is Indian, I’m in a slightly higher risk category so I couldn’t get too close to the frontline, but I really wanted to do something.”

Surajit answered the call for volunteers to take part in the Novovax research trial at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) to test the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373.

Following his research experience, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) he was asked to join a patient panel to help improve vaccine research. The NIHR is the UK’s largest funder of health research and joining one of its public groups is one of many ways people can get involved in making research happen.

Surajit said: “Having taken part in the trial I felt I still wanted to do more to help and thought, by joining the group, I might be able to provide a bit of insight and help researchers make processes smoother and more efficient”.

But the ex-banking Product Manager hasn’t stopped there – he has now even taken a part time role with a pharmacy close to his home, fulfilling his desire to help the NHS and its patients even further.

Surajit still has check-ups as part of the follow up stage of the clinical trial, but he recently found out that he received both doses of the Novavax vaccine, which is currently awaiting regulatory approval.

He said: “Ultimately, we all benefit from research, so I’m glad I’ve taken part in that. Hopefully it will benefit mankind, and if the Novavax vaccine is approved for use it would be nice to know that I contributed.”

 

The NIHR

The NIHR is the largest funder of clinical research in the country, and has been supporting all of the UK Government’s urgent public health studies which have been set up since the start of the pandemic to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. The NIHR:

Funds, supports and delivers high quality research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care

Engages and involves patients, carers and the public in order to improve the reach, quality and impact of research

Attracts, trains and supports the best researchers to tackle the complex health and care challenges of the future

Invests in world-class infrastructure and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services

Partners with other public funders, charities and industry to maximise the value of research to patients and the economy

The NIHR was established in 2006 to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research, and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. In addition to its national role, the NIHR supports applied health research for the direct and primary benefit of people in low- and middle-income countries, using UK aid from the UK government.

For more information visit www.nihr.ac.uk.