Research

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Contact details

0300 013 2078
kchft.research@nhs.net

Research and high standards of patient care

Research projects, recognising potential new ways of working and developing high standards of patient care are an important part of the NHS. We are committed to offering patients in our communities the opportunity to take part in research studies that are appropriate for them. We do this by bringing national trials to our patients. We also work with academic university colleagues to produce research projects initiated by our own clinical staff. Evidence suggests that people who receive care in research active institutions have better health outcomes. The main aims of research are to:

improve patient care
provide the best advice and treatment for our patients
improve the quality of life for people living with illness
prevent disease and reduce the number of people who become ill
make sure the treatments we give are effective.

Our clinical research relies on help and support from the people who use our services. If you wish to take part, you may be asked to participate in a research study or clinical trial. It’s up to you whether you want to do this. If you decide not to take part it will not affect your treatment in any way.

Getting involved in research

Being a participant in a research study can vary from filling out a simple questionnaire to trialling new treatments, depending on the study. You will be given plenty of time and information to help you decide if you want to be involved and you can leave a study at any point, without giving reason.

Watch Pat Conneely, patient rep for research, talk about his involvement.

Watch Stephen Grice, Head of Sexual Health Services, talking about the service’s participation in the HipVac trial a portfolio study on genital warts.

What are the benefits?

Taking part in research may benefit you and others in some of the following ways:

by giving you earlier access to new treatments, interventions and medicines
your treatment and progress may be monitored more closely with more frequent and longer appointments, meaning problems or changes can be picked up and acted on more quickly

the opportunities to learn more about your medical condition may help you to manage it better

you would be helping to identify and try more effective medical treatments for yourself and others
you would be helping the NHS provide people with the best possible standard of care.

As a Trust we work with patients to understand which areas need researching further and those that would benefit from a newer and more innovative way of working. If you are interested in a research study in a particular area of health or social care, then please do let us know. Alternatively, have a look at the list of studies we are recruiting people to at the moment. If you are interested in being a potential participant or would like to understand more, please give us a call. You can talk to a clinical or research nurse, in the strictest confidence.

What is health research?

For anyone who is interested in finding out more about health research, FutureLearn have created a free, online course looking at ways people can get involved in research and the benefits that research brings to healthcare. The course can be found at futurelearn.com and is available to everybody.

Research studies you may be interested in joining

At the moment, we have the following studies running that are looking for volunteers:

Snacktivity™ to help people increase their physical activity

The ELSA Study: Screening children for type 1 diabetes

A series of clinics is taking place for families who would like their children screened for type 1 diabetes.

The clinics will be held in Ashford, Ramsgate, Dover, Deal and Herne Bay and have been organised by the Research Team at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT), a recruiting site for the ELSA research study

The study is being led by the University of Birmingham, to screen children aged three to 13, to find out their risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the future. The screening involves a simple finger stick blood test, which can be done at home or at one of our clinics.

They will be held:

9am to 2pm, Wednesday, 24 July, One You Shop, Park Mall Shopping Centre, Ashford
9am to 3pm, Thursday, 25 July and Thursday 23 August, Discovery Planet, 47 High Street, Ramsgate
9am to 4pm, Wednesday 31 July, at Dover Health Centre, Maison Dieu Road
9am to 4pm, Monday, 5 August, at Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay
9am to 4pm, Monday, 12 August, at Deal Community Clinic, 9 Bowling Green Lane.

Around the UK, research studies are screening children for type 1 diabetes, to find children at risk of the condition before they become unwell. This gives the opportunity to test new treatments that could delay the start of type 1 diabetes.

Every family who takes part is helping to build a greater understanding of type 1 diabetes. The ELSA study is open to families living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you would like to take part, please complete the ELSA eligibility form

To find out more, visit the ELSA website, email elsa@contacts.bham.ac.uk or phone: 0121 414 7814.

Further information is also available from the Research Team at KCHFT by emailing kchft.research@nhs.net or phoning 0300 0132078.

MINDER Health Management study

Our Research and Development Team have opened a study called MINDER, sponsored by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The study team are asking people to take part in a survey to gather views on the use of assistive technology and medical devices in the management of dementia. They would like to hear from anyone over the age of 18, regardless of experience or knowledge of dementia or assistive technologies.

The use of assistive technology and medical devices for dementia is increasing so they would like to hear from a wide variety of people to ensure future assistive technology projects are inclusive and easily accessible to all.

The survey results will help to:

Understand if there are any extra steps needed to take when introducing a project or new technologies to people
Understand how best to present new assistive technologies to people and if there is the need to employ different approaches for different people
Roll out new technologies to a wider range of people with different experiences and perspectives.

Please select Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust in section six of the survey, between Frimley and Sussex Community.

Complete the MINDER Health Management study survey.

The survey is open to staff, patients, friends and family, so please share far and wide.

You can also contact Charlie Marlow from the R&D team for further information: cmarlow@nhs.net.

The DNA, Children and Young People’s Health Resource (D-CYPHR)

The D-CYPHR programme is supporting health research for children 0-15 years of age. To join the study, interested young people will be required to answer a health and lifestyle questionnaire and donate a saliva sample. By studying thousands of DNA samples together with health information, scientists can begin to see the big picture of how our genes and environment influence physical and mental health.

The programme is led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource.

REDUCE - Carbon study

Can you help us? We’re taking part in the REDUCE-Carbon study which we thought might be of interest to you and your colleagues.

The study team are trying to understand whether prescribing choice for inhalers is influenced by knowledge of the carbon footprint. If you would like to take part, please click on the QR code within the attached poster to find out more. Alternatively, please follow the link below:

https://reduce.pttu.org.uk/

Once you have read the information, please click to confirm at the bottom of the link and click on “Next page” to start the survey. The link to the survey through the Word document (via the Participant Information Sheet), is not currently active.

Please share the study with your colleagues. It is open to all HCP’s, no matter what your knowledge of inhalers may be, prescriber and non-prescriber.”

If you have any questions, please contact Dan Wright or Charlie Marlow as leads for the study in KCHFT:

dan.wright2@nhs.net
cmarlow@nhs.net

MyMelanoma

This study is open to anyone who has ever been diagnosed with a melanoma of the skin, of the mucosal surfaces (e.g., nose, mouth, genitals) or under the nails. It is also open to anyone with a family history of melanoma. The primary aim of MyMelanoma is to recruit and maintain contact with a large group of melanoma patients to build the biggest melanoma data resource ever collected in the UK. We hope this resource will enable researchers to answer key questions about melanoma, for example, how different diet and lifestyle factors may affect the risk of cancer.

If you wish to take part or would like more information please visit www.mymelanomastudy.org

Reduce-Carbon- RandomisED control trial to Understand whether prescribing Choice for inhalErs is influenced by knowledge of the CARBON footprint

This study is for healthcare professionals to explore how inhaler choices are made and specifically whether carbon footprint information changes prescribing recommendations. If you are a healthcare professional, both prescribers and non-prescribers, and would like to take part, please email kchft.research@nhs.net for more information.

Renewal - The use of a Digital Intervention for Weight Management in Adolescents

Renewal is a feasibility study which aims to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the Second Nature adult weight management app for use in adolescents aged 13-17.

Study objectives:

To determine the usability and acceptability of the Second Nature tier 2 weight management app for use in adolescents
To determine the short-term effectiveness of the app for weight management and improved Quality of Life indicators in young people
To assess any potential harms related to app usage

The study is being conducted by the Health Behaviours Team within the Primary Care Department at the University of Oxford.

Spiromac - SPIROmetry to Manage Asthma in Children

Spirometry is a simple breathing test which does not change over time when asthma is controlled. Spirometry could be a very useful test to monitor asthma because it measures lung function, i.e. how the lungs are working. To do spirometry children take a big breath in and breathe out through a tube as hard as they can.

The SPIROMAC, a randomised controlled trial, will see if a breathing test called spirometry every three months can help prevent asthma attacks in children aged between 6-15 years, who have had an asthma attack in the last year.

DEVA (Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit)

A randomised control study running within the sexual health services of whether a new antiseptic treatment, dequalinium chloride, is as good at treating bacterial vaginosis (BV) symptoms (such as an unpleasant smell or discharge) as antibiotics. Participants will be randomised to either Dequalinium Chloride or Usual care treatment and will then evaluate the treatment using questionnaires at set time points.

Participate in Important Research on Venous Leg Ulcers

Patients, carers and healthcare professionals are all invited to take part in a research study focused on venous leg ulcers, which affect four in every 100 people over 65.

These painful wounds can significantly impact quality of life, often taking months or years to heal. The study aims to investigate current healthcare pathways and understand the experiences of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Your insights could help identify barriers to timely treatment and lead to improvements in care.

If you are interested in sharing your experience, or know a patient or carer who is, please take part, as your voice matters.

The study, which we are supporting, is being led by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, with interviews taking place until the end of December. For more information contact Vascular Nurse Specialist and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Doctoral Research Fellow Layla Bolton Saghdaoui on 0203 3317364 or email: layla.boltonsaghdaoui@nhs.net

Recent studies

We have recently carried out these research projects:

Covid-19-ISARIC/WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol for Severe Emerging Infections in the UK (CCP-UK)

C-POS - Children’s Palliative Outcome Scale (C-POS) Validation questionnaire study

The C-POS project, sponsored by King’s College London, aims to help test a questionnaire developed for children and young people who are unwell and their parents/carers. The questionnaire assesses the concerns of children and young people with a serious condition and those of their parents/carers. It is intended to ensure that health professionals ask about and address the things that matter to children and young people and their families.

Evaluation of the 0-5 Public Health Investment in England

Health visitors are qualified public health nurses who support families with children aged five under. The study team would like to hear from staff and parents about their experiences of health visiting, including not receiving health visiting, in order to understand how much and what type of health visiting might make a difference to families.

This study will help the government and professionals decide what health visiting services should look like.

Beacon Study in Long-Covid

The trust is currently taking part in the BEACON study for patients experiencing ‘brain fog’ secondary to Long Covid run by the University of Exeter.

Long-Covid can result in problems with memory and concentration, often called ‘brain fog’. These symptoms can make it harder for people to get back to their normal lives after having Covid. We don’t know if there are any longer-term health effects, but it is important that we find a way to treat these symptoms. Our brain training program is already proven to support better brain health in adults over 50. Now, we want to see if they can help people with Long-Covid. That’s where you come in!

We are looking to invite Long Covid patients with brain fog to take part in this study which aims to support better brain health for adults experiencing long-term symptoms after having Covid.
You will be asked to play brain training games on an app or website for six months. You will either play our trial program or a dummy program. Regardless of the program you play, you can use the brain training games after the trial has finished.

Participation is simple - play the games as often as you like for six months. We will ask you to do a series of assessments three times during the trial. It’s free and can be done from home.

By joining BEACON you could make a real impact on the lives of those affected by Long Covid.

A Randomized Trial of Traditional Dietary Advice Vs. Mediterranean Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The trust is currently taking part in a study in IBS and diet sponsored by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

There is currently interest in dietary therapy to help improve the symptoms of IBS. However, of the dietary therapies available to us we do not know which one is the best. This study would like to explore which dietary therapies are the most effective for IBS.

Interested participants who sign up to the study will be screened and allocated to either Diet A or Diet B. Eligible participants may need to change their diet which might include stopping or reducing the amount of certain foods they eat. The study team at Sheffield will assess symptoms weekly for six weeks. Participants will be asked to complete some online questionnaires throughout the study.

Virtual consultations for people with learning disabilities, their families and healthcare providers: a CO-design study

Doctors’ appointments through video or telephone (Virtual Consultations/ VCs) have grown in recent months. However, this method can cause difficulties to some people including People with Learning Disabilities (PwLD) when accessing health care. Greater knowledge, guidance/education materials are needed to ensure that video or telephone appointments are conducted in a way that improves the care and experience of PwLD and their families.

This study seeks to co-design best-practice guidance and resources for Health Care Professionals (HCPs such as doctors/nurses) to support people with learning disabilities (PwLD) and their families to access, have a better experience and benefit from virtual consultation.

The University of Surrey would like to work with PwLD, their families and HCPs in designing and developing best-practice guidance for health professionals, and support materials to improve virtual consultations experiences for PwLD/their families.

Development of parent experience-based information resources for families of children age 0-4 years with mild/unilateral deafness

The research study is being done to learn about what it’s like for parents and carers to have a child with mild or unilateral deafness, what information parents and carers need to understand their child’s deafness and what they need to understand and weigh up the different options for what to do next.

The study will involve an online interview. Results of this study will help develop information and improve support for parents and carers when their child is identified with mild or unilateral deafness.

VenUS 6

A randomised controlled trial recruiting 675 people with one or more venous leg ulcers, to investigate the clinical and cost effectiveness of compression wraps.

Participants will be randomised to one of three treatment arms: evidence-based compression, two-layer bandage or compression wraps.

The study will compare compression wraps with evidence-based compression for time to healing of venous leg ulcers.

The study is being delivered from two sites: Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay and Deal Hospital.

The Sponsor is Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

If you live in east Kent and have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or care for someone who has the condition, your help is needed with a research study.

The research team wants to know more about how COPD is managed in east Kent – and is recruiting participants until the end of October 2023.

They would like input from everyone involved, from patients to carers and nurses, to get a better understanding of how people manage the condition, with the ultimate aim of preventing people from having to go into hospital.

We are working with the University of Kent and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Kent Surrey Sussex on the study.

People’s involvement could range from completing a survey to being interviewed, or being part of a focus group, with face-to-face or remote options available.

Annmarie Hirst, the Principal Investigator for the study, said: “We want to learn more about the support and what would help people more, to live independently with this condition. We want to learn from people’s experiences.”

To get involved email copdccare@kent.ac.uk or phone 0300 013 2078.

Diet and Eating Behaviours across Early Adulthood Transitions - DBEAT

The DBEAT study aims to recruit participants from schools, colleges and further education colleges who are aged 17-18 (school year 13). Schools will be provided with the study information and given time to consider taking part. The study team from the University of Cambridge, will contact interested schools with the recruitment packs. Schools will introduce the study to all year 13 students via email and through tutor discussions with students. Students who are interested can then sign up to the study.

Publications resulting from studies KCHFT has been involved in

MindShine

Chems4EU

Staff experiences of the nursing associate role in a community setting

Research in our communities week (June 2024)

Research in our communities week was a partnership event between Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT), Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) from 10 to 14 June 2024.

Watch the recordings from the week.

Research in our Communities Week - Health Across the Ages (YouTube)

Population Health Management
0-5 Public Health Evaluation Study
Investigating the determinants of multiple admission to acute
hospital wards for older people living with dementia.

Research in our Communities Week - Public Health (YouTube)

Overview of NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Medway
Kent Family Partnership Programme (Implementation/Service Evaluation)
Exploring the views of foster parents regarding oral health of looked after children.

Research in our Communities Week - Workshops (YouTube)

Research project? Think Libraries!
Breaking barriers: accessibility in Research
The journey to improvement - what do you need to know?

Research in our Communities Week - Rural and Coastal (YouTube)

Equity in healthcare research
Chris Whitty’s report - coastal communities.

Research in our Communities Week - Local Improvement Projects (YouTube)

Eight short abstract presentations.

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