Be part of research

People are motivated to be part of research for many reasons. These include getting the opportunity to try new treatments that are not currently licensed, or not available for general use on the NHS; finding out more about their condition to help them manage it; and increased health checks and contact with health care professionals to give them peace of mind.

While taking part in a research study might not directly benefit the participant, many people willingly take part to give hope to other people in the future. In the case of genetic conditions, the hope is that children, grandchildren and other descendants may be spared the worry of inheriting a disease that is not currently treatable.

There are many ways to get involved in research:

• Ask your health care professional about taking part in a research study or clinical trial
• Join Leicester's Research Registry to be among the first to hear about opportunities to take part in research at Leicester's Hospitals
• Visit the Be Part of Research website to search for research taking place, by location and/or condition
• Help beat dementia by registering your interest in dementia research
• Become a patient research ambassador and help spread the word
• Look for an involvement opportunity on People in Research
• Join our Public Research Engagement Panel
• Support the development of a research project as a lay representative