Research
Our Team
Medical research has been conducted at Honiton Surgery for over 30 years. We have a small research team led by Dr Danny Murphy.
The team receive details of research studies approved by the NHS and decide which studies are feasible and appropriate to be carried out at Honiton Surgery. These studies cover all aspects of health care including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, cancer, flu and covid vaccine surveillance and assessment of new medicines.
All the studies have been assessed by the NHS and have full ethical approval. The surgery receives funding for research from the South West Peninsula Research Development Network (part of the NHS) and from the individual studies that we take part in. The research team undergo regular training, in particular the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training which is the international standard for conducting clinical research which helps to ensure that the rights, safety and wellbeing of trial participants are protected, and that the data generated is credible and reliable.
The surgery research team assess study design, discuss practical issues of running a study at the surgery and liaise with the Patient Participation team at the Research Development Network.
The surgery believes that medical research is important for many reasons. Research studies help to answer specific questions about health and health care. The design of a study reflects the question(s) that it is seeking to answer. For example, studies can explore:
- Whether or not new treatments or ways of organising services are effective (do they work?)
- Whether or not those treatments or services are cost-effective (do they give value for money?)
- How different health problems develop and progress over time
- The views of patients and health professionals about a particular treatment, intervention or service and how they might be improved
For current information about research at the surgery please see below.
Current Research Trials & Studies
Zenith Study - To find out whether Zilebesiran in addition to standard of care will reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (e.g. stroke, heart attack) in people with uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
Dr Danny Murphy has sent out invitations to some people regarding this study, if you would like to be reviewed for eligibility please contact the team on d-icb.honitonresearch@nhs.net.
As a participant in this study you will be given an injectable (either Zilebesiran or a placebo) every 6 months. You will be closely monitored by the study team and have multiple appointments throughout the first year which will slowly reduce down to two appointments a year (one every 6 months for the injectable) as the study progresses. Participation will be for 5 years.
Your usual care will NOT be impacted by participating in the study and you can withdraw at any time for any reason.
For more information contact the Honiton Research Team on d-icb.honitonresearch@nhs.net or click here.
CORAL Study
To find out whether Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can be an effective treatment for people whose hearts can't pump blood the body properly
Dr Danny Murphy has written to patients, on behalf of the study team, having identified those patients who may be eligible to take part. If you agree to take part:
You will be given capsules containing either a nutrient called CoQ10 or placebo (a ‘dummy’ capsule that looks the same as CoQ10 but does not contain CoQ10). You will not be able to choose which one you are given. You will be asked to take 3 capsules a day for 12 months. To find out whether CoQ10 helps heart function, we will ask you to fill out questionnaires when you start the study, and then at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. With your permission, we will also look at your routine medical records. Every other part of your care will remain the same.
There is no requirement to take part and your care is not affected by whether you choose to do the study or not.
For more information click here.
RSC Virology Swabs
Home testing swabs to monitor the spread of respiratory viruses.
Every year there are a range of respiratory viruses circulating across communities. The Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research & Surveillance Centre (RSC) have been monitoring the spread of the respiratory viruses with swabs for over 50 years, tracking new viruses as they appear. We look at the spread of respiratory viruses across the country every week to inform public health policy and use the information to help understand the effectiveness of vaccines against those viruses. Please see the RSC's Patient Virology Poster for more information.
If you are diagnosed with a respiratory illness at the practice you will automatically be sent a message to order your own home testing swabs. All results will be sent to you directly from the research team in Oxford.
Research Networks
Honiton Surgery works alongside external research networks to promote access and participation in health and care research.
NIHR - National Institute for Health and Care Research
Be Part of Research
Health and care research helps improve treatments, services and outcomes.
By taking part, you can help shape the future of healthcare.
You can take part whether you are healthy or living with a health condition.
Why take part?
- Life-changing treatments start with people like you
- Both healthy people and people with health conditions are needed
- You can choose studies that suit your time and location
- Taking part helps improve care now and in the future
How it works
Be Part of Research makes it easier to find and take part in research.
- Sign up online and choose your interests
- Get matched to suitable studies
- Receive clear information about what’s involved
The decision to take part is always yours.
Find research opportunities
Clinical Research Network - South West Peninsula
We are partners with seasoned NIHR RDN (National Institute for Health Research Research Development Network) experts, seamlessly integrated into our practice team. In the pursuit of advancing medical research, these professionals, alongside our practice team, may access your patient record for pre-consented activities. This involves identifying potential eligibility for research opportunities and supporting recruitment and follow-up for clinical trials. This process operates under the lawful bases of Article 6 (public task) and Article 9 (substantial public interest) of the GDPR. Be assured, that your privacy and data security are rigorously safeguarded. This collaboration also supports NIHR and NHS's pursuit in improving equality to access research. Any eligible individuals will be contacted by the practice, and their consent will be requested before any further processing takes place.
