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Local people thanked for their “vital” contribution to East Kent Hospitals’ research

East Kent Hospitals’ Research and Innovation team held a recent autumn event thank patients who have been participating in research studies within the Trust.

The Trust’s Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Tim Doulton, said: “We have a great reputation for research and we’re very proud of all the work that we carry out in a variety of disease areas.

“But none of this would be possible without the vital contribution of our research participants who have contributed to national – and international – research.

“Our research involves achieving a better understanding of illness and disease, including testing new drugs and ways of delivering care. Ultimately this will improve east Kent patients’ lives through better care and treatments. That’s why we held a recent ‘meet and greet’ event where we could discuss our achievements with those who help us.”

The patients who attended were those who have agreed to become ‘EKHUFT Research Friends’, and were invited to the event to meet with staff informally.

Held in the Education Centre at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, the autumn event also enabled those who are interested in getting in involved in future research to find out more about ways they can help.

East Kent Hospitals’ clinicians work closely with researchers in other hospitals and universities.

The Trust has also developed its own research across a diverse and wide range of areas, including kidney disease, physiotherapy, eye disease, rehabilitation of neurological disorders, stroke, infections, neonatology and workforce planning and new models of care.

All research projects or clinical studies are carried out to high scientific quality, and in accordance with the requirements of all regulatory standards.

Through East Kent Hospitals, 2,123 people took part in NHS National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) research studies during 2016/17.

The total number of studies undertaken was 117, involving 23 different disease areas. Diseases involved include cancer, diabetes and stroke.