Interested in Supporting Medical Research?
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust provides local research facilities to the NHS. They sometimes have opportunities for people to be part of a research study, and oterh opportunities which not only helps our understanding and treatments but also enables participants to have a closer connection to medical expertise they might find valuable to their own health.
This post will detail the latest opportunities to take part in their research. Readers should thoroughly evaluate if they want to take part before signing up, and COGNEWS can take no responsibility beyond sharing the details below.
19.10.26
Cardiovascular Disease Research Study
The ACCLAIM-CTA study is seeking adults aged 45 to 80 who might be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We are looking to identify individuals who might have genetically determined raised levels of a protein and cholesterol particle called Lipoprotein (a), this is not routinely screened for in the UK so you possibly will not be aware if you have it.
Eligible participants must either have a history of a heart attack or stroke or be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to underlying health factors such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or a significant family history. Please see attached leaflets for further information.
If you or if you know of anyone who might possibly be interested in this study, please contact Cheadle research unit on the following:
Email: Cheadle.research@mpft.nhs.uk
Telephone Number: 07452 948414.
Information about the programme:
17.10.26
Help Shape the Future of our Care Services
Midlands Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust (MPFT) would like to invite people with lived experience to be part of an upcoming workshop.
If anyone is interested or would like more information, please email;involvement@mpft.nhs.uk
As part of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Care Group Neighbourhood Readiness Programme, we would like to invite people with lived experience of using health and care services to take part in a workshop to help shape how services are developed in the future.
The aim of the workshop is to understand what matters most to local people and communities and how health, social care and support services can work together in a way that provides a better experience and better outcomes for those who use them.
About the workshop
Workshop title: Designing a Neighbourhood-Ready Care Group
Date: 22 October 2026
Time: 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Location: Room 1, Education Centre, St George's Hospital, Corporation Street, Stafford,
ST16 3AG
This workshop will bring together staff from across health and care services to discuss how care can be organised more effectively around the needs of local people and communities.
We would particularly value hearing from people who have experience of using community health, physical health, mental health or social care services.
What we would like your help with
During the workshop, we will ask participants to share their views and experiences to help us understand:
What a good experience of joined-up care looks like.
What could work better for people, families and carers.
What is most important when services are planned and delivered within local communities.
How different health and care professionals can work together to support people more effectively.
There is no requirement to prepare anything in advance, and you will not be expected to have any specialist knowledge. Your personal experience and perspective are what matter most.
How your contribution will be used
The feedback from this workshop will help inform the future design of community, mental health and social care services within the Care Group. It will also contribute to recommendations that will be considered by senior leaders as part of ongoing neighbourhood health development.
16.10.26
Online Advisory Group Seeks Public Contributors
The Health Research Authority (HRA) is looking for three public contributors to join a new online advisory group. One of these contributors will also co-facilitate the group.
They are working on new resources that will make sure that people have a clear understanding of how they can expect to be treated in research, and the safeguards in place to ensure this is the case.
This work responds to recommendations informed by the Infected Blood Inquiry, which highlighted the need for user-friendly information about participants' rights, what people can expect when taking part in research, and how concerns can be raised and addressed.
Members of the advisory group may be asked to:
help them understand what information already exists and what might be missing
share their views on early ideas and help us decide what would be most useful for patients and participants
review draft recommendations and resources to make sure they are clear, helpful and meet people’s needs
You don't need to be a research expert. The HRA are specifically interested in hearing from people with a range of experiences and perspectives who can contribute to open, respectful discussions.
The group will meet online three times between November 2026 and April 2027. Honoraria and expenses are available.
Find out more and apply here: Join the earning trust in research advisory group - Health Research Authority
29.9.26
Dementia Study
The study is called READOUT which stands for REAl world Dementia OUTcomes. It is focussed on understanding the role of blood biomarkers in the diagnosis of any dementia type condition. Below are the criteria for the study:
Aged 45 or over with any type of dementia diagnosis or a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
We hope to understand more about blood biomarkers in relation to dementia type conditions
You will meet with a researcher who will ask some questions about your condition to gather information. You will then donate a sample of blood for analysis of blood biomarkers. Please note, there are no memory tests involved.
To find out more, get in touch with us at admin.research@mpft.nhs.uk or via our mobile number 07811 043975
The Research and Innovation Team
Interested in Supporting Medical Research?
