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
Research studies you may be interested in joining
At the moment, we have the following studies running that are looking for volunteers:
Have you, a loved one, or someone you care for experienced symptoms of stress, low mood, sleeplessness or anxiety?
Or symptoms of any other mental health, neurodevelopmental, or behavioural condition?
We know diet plays a big role in brain health—and with the right support, changing how we eat may help ease these symptoms.
We want to understand what types of support people prefer so we can design effective, diet-focused help for the NHS.
If you’re aged 14+ and want to shape the future of care, take our 15 minute survey today. Your voice matters. Completing the survey gets you the chance to earn a £50 voucher.
Invitations to take part are shared in different ways. In some cases, this invitation is distributed via mailing lists. In other cases, a member of a local service may identify individuals who meet the study criteria and send the invitation on behalf of the research team. The research team has not been given your contact details.
We are interested in hearing from people (16 years old +) living in England who:
- are pregnant.
- have been pregnant in the last 12 months.
- are a parent, guardian or carer of a baby aged 12 months or younger (not as part of paid work).
- have been a parent, guardian, or carer of a baby aged 12 months or under in the last 12 months (not as part of paid work).
- are a partner of any of the above.
The survey asks about views, experiences and any actions taken during periods of hot weather. The findings will help improve guidance, support and resources for pregnant people, partners and caregivers across England.
The survey takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
At the end of the survey, participants can choose to enter a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher.
Any personal data you share with the research team will be handled confidentially. The research team will not have access to your contact details unless you choose to provide them.
More information about this research is available in the Participant Information Sheet. This includes about how your data will be used and stored.
If you are eligible, or know someone who may be, we would be very grateful if you could take part or share the Hot weather survey.
If you have any questions, please contact the lead researcher, Charlotte Parbery-Clark, at charlotte.parbery-clark@newcastle.ac.uk.
Thank you for helping us with this important work.
Charlotte Parbery-Clark
Researcher at Newcastle University and Consultant in Public Health
The Department of Infectious Diseases at the State University Hospital (Rigshospitalet) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in collaboration with University College London are recruiting people newly diagnosed with HIV who have used Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in the past to the PrEPaRe study. They are investigating if the HIV infection is likely to have occurred while the person was on PrEP and, if so, if this was despite optimal adherence to PrEP. They also want to assess how many people have an HIV virus which is resistant to the drugs used in PrEP.
We are trying to understand more about trauma (experienced as a child and in adulthood) and its impact on mental health. Our long-term aim to help improve diagnosis, treatment and support for those who have experienced traumatic events.
If you decide to take part, we will ask you to provide us with some basic information about yourself, your experiences of trauma (as a child and in adulthood), and your mental health, in order to help answer important research questions. Answering questions about traumatic experiences in your past could cause you some distress. There is no obligation to take part and you do not need to answer any questions that you find upsetting.
We also want to identify people who would be willing to be approached about taking part in future mental health research projects.
The ELSA Study, led by the University of Birmingham, is screening children (age 2-15) and young adults (age 16-17) for type 1 diabetes.
Children and young adults can have a simple finger stick blood test to find out their risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the future. Our research team can visit local nurseries, schools and colleges to carry out the test or you can choose to do it at home.
If the test is negative, the child or young person will not need any more tests in the ELSA Study. If the test is positive more blood tests will establish whether the risk is high
For those at risk the family will be invited to an education session to explain what this risk means for your child's future and what the available options are.
Currently open to families living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Every family who takes part is helping to build a greater understanding of type 1 diabetes.
To find out more, visit the ELSA website, email elsa@contacts.bham.ac.uk or phone: 0121 414 7814.
If you would like to take part, please complete the ELSA eligibility form
Further information is also available from the Research Team at KCHFT by email kchft.research@nhs.net or phoning 0300 0132078
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.
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
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
CIRCLE Study by the Sea is a research project focused on understanding and improving health and social care services for children and young people in coastal communities.
The study invites children, young people, parents and carers to share their experiences through interviews, focus groups and workshops. These sessions aim to gather insights into how services are currently meeting needs and where improvements can be made, ensuring that the voices of those directly affected are heard and considered.
The study is led by the University of Kent and the University of Plymouth, with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust as one of the research partners, encouraging people to take part.
Find out more and see if you or your family could take part by visiting circlebythesea.org
The EASE trial is testing whether a particular antidepressant could help people with post-stroke emotionalism.
Having emotionalism means a person may unexpectedly cry or laugh, when it is inappropriate, and impossible to stop or control. This often negatively affects the quality of people’s daily lives, for example, through distress, embarrassment and anxiety.
One in five people will have some degree of emotionalism six months after a stroke.
Participants in this research study would initially need to consent to be tested for emotionalism and would then undergo eligibility and safety checks by the relevant NHS trial team. Participation would involve taking the trial medication for six months.
The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and is sponsored by Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It invites adults who have had a stroke and believe they have emotionalism, to take part.
To find out more email: enquiries.easetrial@uea.ac.uk or phone 01603 591400
Taking part could help participants and future stroke survivors.
Heart problems can cause the kidneys to retain water, causing swollen feet and/or ankles (peripheral oedema) occasionally or regularly. We know that changes in the amount of swelling can indicate a patient’s heart condition is getting worse.
This one year long study is testing a new device, called the Heartfelt device, for people with heart failure. The device works automatically to track any swelling in a person’s feet and lower legs as they stand nearby or walk past. As foot and leg swelling can be a sign of heart failure getting worse, the study is investigating whether using the Heartfelt device to pick it up early can help us look after people with this condition better.
Researchers are looking into the causes of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) so the can help improve care for people affected by it. They want to hear from people who have experienced severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in their lifetime, or symptoms or a diagnosis of PMDD.
- Take part in NCMH – PreDDICT
The Support Study assesses the acceptability and use of a mobile app called SuperPenguin, to support carers of children aged eight to 12 who stammer. The app, used in addition to NHS care from our Speech and Language therapists, helps carers support their loved ones’ speech and communication through expert-led guidance and progress tracking, increasing their confidence in supporting a child's communication, while reducing anxiety and stress.
Recent studies
We have recently carried out these research projects:
An online survey has been launched which seeks to understand more about the lives of those who have or have had cancer, with the aim of improving future care.
The Indigo cancer survey is for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer at any time in their adult life. Those taking part will be asked about the positive and negative aspects of their experience.
The survey takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Participants will be asked about their cancer. Most questions are about health and how cancer affects that.
The research is being led by Imperial College London and is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, Imperial Health Charity and Brain Tumour Research Campaign.
Development and evaluation of the Digital-My Arm Pain Programme for improving painful distal upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. D-MAPP was a randomised controlled trial of a web app designed to support the self-management of upper limb-musculoskeletal disorders.
The app was a personalised physio programme with additional support to aid recovery and could be used on a smartphone, tablet, computer or laptop. The study aimed to determine whether using D-MAPP alongside usual care, compared to receiving usual care alone, could improve pain and function in people with distal upper limb-musculoskeletal disorders.
Six patients with the musculoskeletal physiotherapy team took part in the study.
KCHFT supported Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Surrey by recruiting participants to The Sleep Attitudes the study, which looked at public thoughts and attitudes towards sleep habits and memory problems, both of which have significant implications for physical and mental health.
Opening in September 2025, 217 people were recruited through the trust and completed a survey with demographic questions, inquiries about participants' general health or medical history, and questions related to attitudes and perceptions regarding sleep habits and memory problems
If you have high blood pressure and are taking one medication or none at all, you may be eligible to take part in a research study.
The Isofitter study is exploring whether static exercises can help lower blood pressure. Research suggests that isometric exercises, where you hold a fixed position, like wall squats, may be effective in reducing blood pressure.
The study is being led by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University. People can participate remotely.
National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) explored how life experiences impact on maternal wellbeing and mental health.
Participants were asked to provide some basic information about themselves, their mental health, wellbeing and their past experiences.
Our One YOU weight loss and activity team successfully identified clients referred to their service to take part in a study testing a novel approach called Snacktivity™, to help people become more physically active. Snacktivity™ encouraged people to do short ‘snacks’ of physical activity throughout the day and across the week, to improve their health.
The team met their recruitment target and 25 people received the extra support to help them try to achieve their weight loss ambitions through the study.
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.
Publications resulting from studies KCHFT has been involved in
‘Health Care Workers’ Need for Headspace: Findings from a Multisite Definitive Radomized Controlled Trial of an Unguided Digital Mindfulness-Based Self-help App to Reduce Healtcare Worker Stress’ JMIR mHealth and uHealth, vol 2022.
- Read the full Going beyond co-production article on Springer Nature.
The National Institute of Health and Social Care (NIHR) Research Champion (RC) role, has grown over the last few years. This public contributor role was designed to engage and involve patients and the public in health and care research within the NHS. Yet, there has been little focus on how it is working and experienced. Moreover, there is a lack of research that has been initiated, and/or led, by patients and the public.
Celebrating research event (October 2025)
Research was celebrated when an event took place in East Malling.
Organised by the research teams at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and Medway Community Healthcare (MCH), those attending included patients who have been involved in studies, colleagues who have run projects and others who want to know more.
The afternoon included listening to keynote speaker GP Shera Chok, who is the national lead for research in community settings with the Research Delivery Network. MCH colleagues spoke about their experiences in a palliative care study. There was also the chance to hear more about a new online journal for south-east healthcare practitioners, which is being led by KCHFT and Canterbury Christ Church University.
South East Care and Health in Practice (SEACHIP) is aimed at both clinical and non-clinical staff working or studying in health and social care, providing a platform to share experiences and insights. It will give practitioners an opportunity to share evidence-based practice happening across the region. The journal is currently looking for submissions.
Beth Baldock said: “The celebration event was a look back on the past year’s achievements, hear about studies colleagues have been involved in, to share experiences across both organisations and to thank everyone who helps make research happen.
“During the afternoon, one of our sessions was about our new online journal which will support practitioners who are new to publishing their work, as well as share best practice.”
For more information about the journal email seachip.journal@canterbury.ac.uk