Contact us
Community Research Team: Tel: 01603 272251 | Email: research@nchc.nhs.uk |
Primary Care Research Team | Tel: 01603 272211
X (Twitter): @NCHCresearch
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the NHS arm for research, encourages patients, service users and the public to get involved in clinical research, by talking to healthcare professionals about research activities in their area. The part of the NIHR that helps run the delivery of research is called the Clinical Research Network.
NCH&C works closely with the Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN), to set up clinical studies quickly and effectively, provide health professionals with research training, and work with patients and the public to ensure their needs are at the centre of all research activity.
Benefits of Research
Research changes people's lives, which is why we are we are committed to enabling our patients and service users’ opportunities to participate in clinical research studies and enhance treatment and care. NCH&C are very proud to have our own dedicated research team who work across all our services to support the delivery of NIHR research projects.
Evidence suggests that people who receive care in research active organisations 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
Meet the Research Team
Community Research Team
The NHS aims to provide the highest quality healthcare services possible. Research is how we develop new treatments and knowledge to provide the best care and a healthier community for our patients. Research helps ensure that high-quality service provision is supported by evidence-based practice
The Community Research Team work to make sure that any research that takes place involving patients, service users and staff is of the highest quality. Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust aims to be a highly research active Trust, offering our patients, service users, staff and local communities' access to and the chance to participate in research that is relevant and applicable to them. We are a multidisciplinary research team, working from West Pottergate.
We provide guidance and support to all NCH&C staff, as well as external researchers, in the management and approval of research. We support the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) and other research activity involving our staff and our patients. The goal of this research is improve the services delivered in this community and across the NHS.
We aim to:
- Support existing research activity.
- Engage and support new teams to become involved in research.
- Develop links with local universities and other external organisations.
Anna Lartey - Community Research Manager 
Stephanie Howard - Research Co-ordinator
Stephanie Tuck - Research Occupational Therapist
Donna Clements - Research Nurse
Laura Towers - Research Nurse
Julia Fromings Hill - Research Nurse
Louise Gilbert - Research Physiotherapist
Denise Reece - Research Nurse
Cathy Mingay - Bank Research Physiotherapist
Gail Lonsdale - Bank Research Physiotherapist
Sara Heritage - Bank Research Occupational Therapist
Primary Care Research Team
We are the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Primary Care Research and Development Team for Norfolk and Waveney ICB, kindly hosted by Norfolk Community Health and Care Trust.
Working from West Pottergate Health Centre, our Team, comprising of 3 Research Nurses, 1 Research Practitioner and 2 Administrators, bring the benefits of research to patients in the wider primary care settings, such as GPs, Pharmacists and Health Visitors to offer patients in within these primary care settings unprecedented opportunities to become involved in high quality clinical studies.
Within our team, the Research Nurses/ Research Practitioner, acts as a link between the GP practice and the study teams, reaching out to all demographic groups to support the patients embarking on their research journey.
The Primary Care Specialty has successfully recruited across a range of conditions and complex interventions. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, we developed a strategy to engage with all practices in Norwich. This entailed identifying covid patients on a daily basis, contacting them and inviting them to participate in an Urgent Public Health study. This resulted in the highest recruitment from any participating group in the country for which we received the coveted 'Breaking Boundaries' award.
For more information on Primary Care Research, please click here
Kirsti Withington - Locality Manager
Cliff Cox - RSI Contracts Manager
Chloe Curtis - PCR Administrator
Helen Gerrish - Clinical Research Nurse
Suzanne Walker - Clinical Research Nurse
Alison Davie - Clinical Research Nurse
Denise Archer - Clinical Research Practitioner
Rachel Stebbings - Research Nurse
Agile Research Team
The Agile team at NCH&C supports research delivery in Wider Care and Community settings. We work closely with Care homes, Schools, Hospices and also support our Community and Primary Care research colleagues.
Roselyn Enesi - Research Nurse
Harley Birchenall - Research Facilitator and Liaison Officer
New Photo to be added
Patient Research Champion (PRC)
Current studies
| Project Short Title | IRAS Number | Project Full Title | Project Summary | Planned Recruitment End Date | Project Site Status | Project Type | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMITS | 261352 | Confirming the Mechanism of Motivational Interviewing Therapy after Stroke: a multi-centre randomised controlled trial | This research intends to help people who have had a stroke come to terms with their stroke and reduce depressive symptoms, a common problem after stroke. A type of talking therapy (counselling) called Motivational Interviewing-Based Intervention (MIBI) could be beneficial in helping stroke survivors adapt to life after a stroke. The aim of this study is to determine if MIBI is an effective and cost-effective approach for helping people who have had a stroke. | 31/07/2025 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| EEG | 136640 | EEG based Awareness Detection and Communication in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness and Physical Disability | Severely altered consciousness most often occurs as a result of brain injury. We have gathered evidence that electroencephalogram (EEG)-based bedside detection of awareness is possible using Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology. | tbc | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Families Project (PFP) | 162268 | Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Families Project (PFP) | The aim of the study is to identify new genes that predispose or cause Parkinson's Disease, Parkinsonism, and other movement disorders. | 01/03/2030 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| The ELSA study | 309252 | The ELSA Study: EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes | We propose to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a system for identifying children in the general population at risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D). | 31/08/2025 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| TRICEPS | 308254 | An efficacy and mechanism evaluation of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation for upper limb recovery post-stroke - a randomised, controlled, multi-arm, multi-stage, adaptive design trial | TRICEPS aims to determine whether Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (TVNS) paired with rehabilitation therapy of the affected arm post stroke improves motor function in participants with arm weakness following a stroke. | 30/11/2025 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| Clinical usability evaluation of an ATFS for socket design | 317901 | An evaluation of clinical usability related safety of an Adaptive Templates Fitting System (ATFS) to support prosthetic socket design | The study focus will be the design of sockets for below knee amputation, as this has the highest prevalence and as such has been the focus of researchers for CAD/CAM software development. | 28/11/2025 | Open | Commercial Portfolio | More Info |
| PACMAN | 333923 | Indwelling Pleural Catheters: Co-Developing an Intervention to Support Self-Management | This study is to investigate the feasibility of patients and family/carers self managing their indwelling pleural catheters, alongside the views of community nurses. | 31/08/2025 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| OPTICALS Randomised Control Trial | 275949 | OptiCALS: A Randomised Controlled Trial with parallel Process Evaluation and Health Economic analysis to evaluate a nutritional management intervention, OptiCALS, for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | The purpose of this study is to test a support package (the 'OptiCALS' intervention) designed to improve nutritional management for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease. | 30/09/2025 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| A Register for New Anti-Epileptic Drugs in ID/PDD Populations | 345110 | A register for collecting and measuring outcomes of licensed Anti-Epileptic Drugs and Epilepsy treatments in patients with Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability and/or Pervasive Developmental Disorders | This Epilepsy Research Database is focussed on building an ongoing evidence base evaluating the outcomes of Anti-Epileptic Drugs and epilepsy treatments for people with Intellectual Disability (ID) and/or Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD such as Autism). | 30/10/2029 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| EASE | 1008638 | Evaluating Antidepressants for emotionaliSm after strokE: A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to establish the effect(s) of administration of Sertraline (50 mg once daily for six months) in people with a recent stroke and post-stroke emotionalism | To determine if administration of sertraline 50mg OD for 6 months in the first year after stroke reduces post stroke emotionalism symptoms in adults. | 30/06/2026 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| SIGHT | 335220 | A randomised control multicentre trial investigating efficacy and predictive markers of Spatial Inattention Grasping Home-based Therapy for spatial neglect recovery post-stroke (the predictive-SIGHT trial) | Trial investigating efficacy and predictive markers of Spatial Inattention Grasping Home-based Therapy for spatial neglect recovery post-stroke | TBC | Project site in setup | More Info | |
| ART-transition | 334427 | ADHD Remote Technology and ADHD transition: predicting and preventing negative outcomes (ART-transition) | This study will look at transition to adulthood for individuals with ADHD: what changes take place, what predicts them, and how can we prevent negative outcomes and support healthy lifestyles? We will remotely monitor 250 young people with ADHD over a two-year continuous assessment period. | 02/03/2026 | Project site in setup | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| Integrating Behaviour Change Conversations into Physiotherapy | 342767 | Developing a Training Programme and Real Time Support for Physiotherapists to integrate Behaviour Change Conversations into their Clinical Practice. | To develop a training package to support physiotherapists to assess and identify patient's barriers and facilitators to engagement with self-management and home exercise adherence. | 30/10/2025 | Open | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| Plant-protein dominant feed study | 354515 | Exploratory randomised, controlled trial to evaluate the impact of four nutritionally complete, plant-protein dominant, enteral tube feeds on long term outcomes in community-based adults | This study aims to determine whether a plant-protein dominant enteral tube feed is as effective as animal-protein dominant formulations in patients who are tube fed at home. | TBC | Project site in setup | Commercial portfolio | More Info |
| ReSTORe | 342547 | Remote STrOke Rehabilitation (ReSTORe): a UK-wide randomised controlled trial | The trial is testing the effectiveness of a remote rehabilitation programme on improving health-related quality of life for people with mild to moderate physical and/or mental health disability after stroke | TBC | Project site in setup | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
| Evaluation of Neurovirt Implementation | 356727 | An evaluation of the implementation of an immersive virtual reality system (NeuroVirt) for optimising upper limb function after stroke | A study to assess the use of immersive virtual reality system within an NHS setting. | TBC | Project site in setup | Non-commercial portfolio | More Info |
Getting Involved in Research
RESIDE - Research Interest Database
What is RESIDE?
When you sign up to RESIDE it means you are interested in hearing about research projects that you or someone you know, might want to take part in. RESIDE is a secure database held at Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust. It means that we can contact you when a research project that might interest you is available. By only letting you know about research projects that might be suitable for you limits how many times we contact you with research projects that might not be relevant to you.
How do I sign up?
Click here to add your details and sign up to RESIDE.
What can I expect when I sign up?
When you choose to sign up, a member of the research team will contact you by phone within about two weeks. During this call, a few more questions will be asked to help us understand a bit more about you. This means we can offer you research projects that are most suitable for you. After this, we will send you an email or letter to thank you and give you our contact details.
After the initial contact, what will happen?
Whenever there is a research project that might suit you, we will let you know about it by your preferred method - phone or email or post. It's then up to you if you want to go ahead and take part in the research.
What if there are no research projects suitable for me?
Sometimes, there won't be research projects that are suitable for you for some time. If this has been the case for around a year, we will contact you to check that you still want to stay on RESIDE. If we can't reach you by phone, we will try by email or letter. If we don't hear back from you, we will take your details off RESIDE.
How do I leave RESIDE?
You choose to sign up and you can choose to leave! Just contact us on the details we sent you and let us know you want to be removed from RESIDE. It might be that when we contact you, you choose to say that you would like to leave RESIDE, that's ok, just tell us that.
Thank you for your interest in research!
Be Part of Research
Last year more than 1.3 million people, of all ages, took part in vital health and social care research. It is through high quality, ethically-approved research, that we can develop better treatments, improve diagnosis, learn more about prevention of illness and provide better care for everyone.
Often studies look for people living with a particular condition. But others may be seeking people who care for someone with a long-term illness, or people who do not have a condition (sometimes called 'healthy volunteers'). Everyone can make a difference, whatever their circumstances.
Be Part of Research is an online service that helps members of the public understand what research is, what taking part might involve, as well as helping people find research studies and volunteer to take part.
The service is mobile friendly and has a search tool that allows you to search by illnesses or conditions that are of interest to you, or by location or postcode.
Once you've found a study, you can see all the details including who to contact so you can ask to take part. You can also download, save or print the full study details so you can talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare professional.
What is research - Easy Read digital booklet
Getting involved in Research Newsletters
Getting Involved in Research is a monthly newsletter packed with information about the many ways to get involved in research as a patient, research participant and member of the public.
For more information on how you can get involved in Research please see links below to the NIHR Getting Involved in Research, produced by the team at NIHR East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN). To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here
Getting involved in Research Newsletter - April 2025
Getting Involved in Research Newsletter - January 2025
Getting Involved in Research Newsletter - December 2024
Getting involved in Research Newsletter Special Edition - September 2024
Getting Involved in Research Newsletter - August 2024
Getting Involved in Research Newsletter - July 2024
Getting Involved in Research Newsletter - May 2024
Getting Involved in Research Newsletter.- February 2024
Getting Involved in Research Newsletter - January 2024
Getting Involved in Research Newsletter - December 2023
Getting-Involved-in-Research-Newsletter - November 2023
Getting Involved in Research newsletter - October 2023
Participant Case Studies
Some of our participants have been kind enough to share their Research Experience Stories. To read these, please click on the links below:
Work Experience and Students
Student and Work Experience with the Research Team at Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust
The Research Team at NCH&C support the safe delivery of clinical research studies within the trust. The delivery team supports our clinicians to set up individual studies, and assist them to recruit service users, patients and staff onto the study as required. Our team is also responsible for ensuring all study related procedures, such as questionnaires, health assessments and medications are administered safely and in accordance with the study protocol, and that accurate study records are maintained.
As part of your work experience you will get the opportunity to help assist with the administration involved in setting up of studies, potentially being involved in promotional work, and helping mail out about studies. Please note that we are not involved in lab-based research, and this placement will be office/clinical based.
For more information and to gain an understanding of our team, please check our trust web site and the NIHR website: Homepage NIHR