RESEARCH
HPCA's research team is based locally in Corbridge and is funded by the NHS.
We work in partnership with the Local Clinical Research Network, and with the local GP surgeries. Our aim and top priority is to provide support to those surgeries to enable them and their patients to get involved in any research which is currently available. We have our own research nurse who visits different practices so that patients can often be seen at their usual practice, or at a nearby practice, rather than having to travel further afield to a central location. We also have excellent links with the local hospital trusts and work with their teams to offer their more specialist research to those of our patients who may be able to take part.
Each GP practice decides for themselves which studies they will undertake and which they find to be relevant to their patients. Each patient decides whether to take part in a study or not. The decision to take part or not has no impact on patient care in the practice.
Examples of recent studies are in diabetes, new mothers and pregnant women, asthma and care for older people. New studies come in all the time.
Meet the Team
Rob Forder
Rob Forder, as Research Facilitator, works to provide practical support to practices and study teams to enable research studies to happen in our local practices. He also works with neighbouring Secondary Care Trusts to recruit patients who are seen at their premises.
Dr Farzan Kamali
Dr Farzan Kamali from Branch End Surgery is our Engagement Lead, overseeing the studies we undertake and providing clinical support.
Norah Phipps
Norah oversees the research team and their workload providing overall management of the team.