NNUH research staff get ready to celebrate!

Sweet-toothed visitors of all ages are invited to take part in a live chocolate clinical trial at a Norfolk Hospital, as part of its programme of activity to mark International Clinical Trials Day.

The chocolate test, which has been specially designed to give an informative, as well as yummy idea of what happens in real clinical trials, is one of the events being held at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) on Wednesday 20 May to celebrate its fantastic research.

NNUH staff are getting ready to welcome members of the public, visitors and patients to get involved in fun activities, ask the experts any questions you might have about research and hear the stories of those who have taken part in trials before.

Staff will also be on hand to answer questions and provide information about clinical trials and there will be plenty of opportunities to do some research of their own by sampling cakes baked especially for the day, with all proceeds going to charity.

Events will be taking place on levels 1 and 2 of the East Atrium at the N&N, between 9.30 and 16.30 on Wednesday 20 May, so come along, get involved and have fun!

International Clinical Trials Day provides a focal point to raise awareness of the importance of research in health care, and highlights how partnerships between patients and healthcare practitioners are vital to high-quality, relevant research. There is a huge variety of clinical trials for patients to take part in.

Ms. Catriona Finlayson-Wilkins recently became the first woman in the world to test an artificial pancreas while giving birth naturally, and she did so as part of the NIHR’s Closed Loop in Pregnancy study. Following the birth at the Norfolk &Norwich, she gave some insight into her motivation to get involved in research as a patient. She said:

“I'm an ex-science teacher and have always been involved in education; so are a lot of my family, as well as many of my family being doctors. I knew there would have been masses of testing before human trials were allowed and that trials are often needed to prove new theories and devices; I think that helped me to always expect to help out science/research when I could. Plus when the doctors were explaining what the system would do, if it worked, it sounded amazing.

To anyone considering getting involved, Ms. Finlayson-Wilkins had this to say:

“Do it – it’s not just yourself but future generations that will be helped. Ms. Finlayson-Wilkins said she would also consider taking part in future clinical research, saying:

“I'd love to – I even took part in a pain relief comparison study during this labour!”