THERE has been a significant rise in the number of people in rural North Yorkshire taking part in medical research.

According to the Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Research Network (CRN), patients from GP practices in the NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are the third highest participants in medical research of the 23 CCGs in the region.

The Vale of York CCG, which covers villages around York and Easingwold, had the highest number of participants, following by Leeds West CCG.

Dr Terry McCormack, GP at Whitby Group Practice said: “This increase in participation has been made possible by the formation of the local GP Federation known as Heartbeat Alliance with their research cluster and financial support from the National Institute of Healthcare Research.

“The goal of the National Institute of Healthcare Research is to make research accessible to all patients, as traditionally it centred on large schools and universities with research being very hospital-focused.

“We’re now seeing more research undertaken in primary care thanks to support from GP practices and willing patients who want to make a difference.”

A recent research study by the University of Dundee saw 166 people take part, with the majority from the Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby areas.

The four-year trial is aimed at treating heart disease by taking a medication called allopurinol which is traditionally used to treat gout.

Dr McCormack added: “It’s not unusual that larger cities like York and Leeds, with big universities, take the top spot in our area.

"However it is rather unusual to see a rural area such as Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby to have such high numbers of recruitment into research.

"It’s really encouraging as it’s a source of extra funding to our local healthcare economy providing extra quality in healthcare for our patients and improves the reputation of general practice in this area. ”

The GP practices with the highest number of patients taking part came from Whitby Group Practice, Stokesley Health Centre and Mowbray House in Northallerton.

Dr William Francis, local GP from Stokesley Health Centre said: “The more active we are in research, the more funding comes our way as a region resulting in more funding for primary care studies. It’s really important to be involved to benefit patients and local health economy.”

Dr Charles Parker local GP and Clinical Chair of NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG said “As commissioners of health care services for the area, we feel it’s incredibly valuable to support medical research.

"To ensure it continues, the CCG has to give approval of studies and fund extra minor costs such as specific prescriptions and extra blood tests – the studies cannot be done without it and they can make such a difference.”

Patients interested in getting involved in research should contact their local GP practice for opportunities or join their practice’s Patient Participation Group (PPG).