Attendees
Shelagh Clarke, Magrit Mitchell, Kathy Holmes, Sue Tribe, Derek Huett, Suzanna van Schaick, Amanda Roberts, Dr Jane Coleman, Valentina Lazarevic
Laura Archer sent her apologies
Sue Tribe welcomed both Valentina Lazarevic from the Clinical Delivery Network and our own Dr Jane Coleman and passed the floor to Valentina.
Valentina reported that the Clinical Delivery Network has undergone some minor changes recently, including to it’s name.
It’s research will now be carried out more within the Primary Care sector, rather than the Secondary sector, which makes sense.
Although research will now be more centralised. it will not have much effect in the East Midlands and certainly not on our surgery.
The 100 or so surgeries in our region are rated from 1 to 4. We are rated in the top level – level 1.
It is hoped that the public, through their PPG’s, can become more involved in studies within their areas of interest.
One such study is in the development of a database of “Public Health Levels”. As we are highly rated from previous and current research,
we are working to put together the required people in place to handle such larger and more complicated studies.
We might pair up with adjacent surgeries so as to be able to do such studies.
Money coming into surgeries is reducing. Money from “Big Pharma” is enticing but the motivation for such trials needs careful scrutiny.
Sue raised the subject of AI and the need to recruit younger people to our PPG ranks.
She wondered that if they knew that AI is being used more and more in medicine, could we use that information to encourage their PPG participation.
The use of AI in programmes to reduce depression in sufferers as young as 7, showed significant improvements in their health, lessening and removing their concerns.
One website, Eczema Online, showed once again significant improvements with those with eczema who had taken part.
Led by Amanda, we discussed the requirements of those financing research.
Trust can be built by objectives being agreed before any trials and ensuring those financing a trial have a duty to report back on that research.
Where appropriate, we should use our notice boards to inform our patients of research progress and results.
Sue said that in a rapidly changing world, things needed to be done differently, and we as a PPG would be happy to help in any way we can.
Valentina responded by saying that the number of our patients taking part in studies is already among the highest of similar surgeries.
It was proposed to hold our next meeting at 18.30 on Wednesday 24th July – to be confirmed