Nine-out-of-10 Greater Manchester patients had a good or excellent experience of taking part in research, according to the latest survey.

The Research Patient Experience Survey (PRES) has been published by NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Greater Manchester. A full overview of the results can be viewed on this link.

The PRES is a Department of Health and Social Care requirement. It is conducted across all regions in England every year to understand more about the experiences of clinical research patients, with all responses anonymous.

More than 2,500 patients responded to the survey while taking part in research studies across Greater Manchester, East Cheshire and East Lancashire between winter 2019 and spring 2020.

Over 89 per cent said they had a good or very good experience, while 83.1 per cent said they would be happy to take part in another research study.

A recurring theme in participant comments was that they are proud to be contributing to research which could improve outcomes for future patients.

Here are a handful of comments from participants:

“It makes me feel good that I am part of something that may change things.”

“I am sure I am following the footsteps of earlier patients who agreed to volunteer themselves in some form of research which I now benefit from. Therefore I hope it will help in the future for people similarly diagnosed.”

“The nurses and doctors treated me with dignity and respect at all times. It is important to see the same staff who, after a number of years, I trust and think of as friends.”

Janet Eastwood, NIHR CRN Greater Manchester Head of Communications, said: “We are extremely grateful to every research participant who took part in our survey and are delighted to see so many had a positive experience and would be willing to be part of research again.

“Their involvement in the PRES provides us with a vital insight into the demographics taking part in research in Greater Manchester and helps show where improvements can be made. The findings will feed into work both locally and nationally to make sure the NIHR is serving the needs of all patients.

“We would also like to thank our colleagues in research teams across the region for ensuring their patients took part in the survey and had the opportunity to feedback on their experiences.”

Through the PRES, the NIHR strives to give as many research participants as possible the chance to feedback on what went well for them and what could be improved.

This is part of an NIHR commitment to use this data to ensure the organisation continuously improves research practice and the experiences of those taking part.