Working to improve the future of healthcare
The CLH Research team is the Primary Care research hub for Central London. It manages and develops this service on behalf of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for Federation member and non-member Practices.
The NIHR is the nation’s largest health and care research funder and provides the people, facilities and technology that enable research to thrive. It works in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders (including industry and charities), patients and the public to improve the health and wealth of the nation.
If you are a patient registered within a Central London GP Practice, and are interested in participating in research, please see information below about our active research projects.
Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with early diagnosis crucial for effective treatment. CLOCS-2, a novel study, investigates the potential of everyday loyalty card data to identify early cancer signs. Focusing on various cancer types, CLOCS-2 compares purchasing patterns of participants to develop early detection methods. This innovative approach marks a promising stride in improving cancer outcomes.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) involves frequent episodes of consuming significantly large quantities of food, accompanied by a loss of control over eating behavior. These episodes are marked by eating a substantial amount of food within a discrete period, surpassing typical consumption, and a feeling of inability to control eating habits.
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a severe and potentially life-threatening eating disorder marked by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory actions, like self-induced vomiting, aimed at counteracting the consequences of overeating and preventing weight gain.
Faecal calprotectin (FC) serves as a recognized marker of inflammation, consistently displaying elevated levels in the stool of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared to control groups. Its utilization is endorsed by NICE for patients presenting with new-onset lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Through this research endeavor will contribute to refining referral pathways, especially concerning cases with borderline elevated results.
Social isolation and loneliness (SI&L) have well-documented public health implications, impacting both physical and mental well-being. To address the rising incidence of SI&L, particularly in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF &F), our research aims to assess its prevalence across England using online tools. We will focus on vulnerable populations, including those with limited cognitive capacity, developmental disorders, dementia, and serious mental illnesses, to identify interventions that can effectively tackle this issue. Our findings, disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, aim to inform policies and practices to address SI&L in communities across England.
Tricorder represents a collaborative effort between The NHS North West London Integrated Care System, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and Imperial College London, aimed at advancing public health outcomes. The project seeks to evaluate the impact of equipping GPs with the Eko DUO device on early detection of heart failure (HF) among patients, as well as its potential cost-saving benefits for the NHS.
FluCamp is a dedicated research organization with a primary focus on enhancing comprehension of viral illnesses, particularly respiratory infections such as the flu. Through meticulously conducted clinical trials involving volunteers under strict supervision, FluCamp aims to evaluate new treatments and propel medical research forward in this domain. By actively engaging volunteers, FluCamp endeavors to deepen our understanding of common viral infections and develop more effective treatments, ultimately striving to improve public health outcomes.
Active Brains is a new website aimed at assisting older adults in maintaining brain and body health to prevent cognitive decline. Through promoting simple lifestyle changes such as increased activity, brain training games, and healthier eating, the platform aims to empower users. Ongoing research will assess the website’s effectiveness and cost-efficiency in delaying cognitive decline, providing valuable insights for improving support for older adults’ cognitive well-being.
There is accumulating evidence indicating that adopting healthy behaviors, particularly engaging in physical activity, and participating in cognitive exercises can enhance cognitive functioning and activities of daily living. A recent trial conducted in various settings has illustrated the potential effectiveness of integrating healthy behavior and cognitive interventions. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a website designed to promote cognitive health. Participants will be divided into two groups: older adults exhibiting signs of cognitive decline and those without any cognitive impairment. Within each group, individuals will be randomly assigned to one of three study arms: 1) standard care from their GP practice, 2) access to the Active Brains website, or 3) access to the Active Brains website with additional support from a trained individual via phone or email. The study will span five years, with cognitive skills assessments conducted at the end of the first year and again after five years. Additionally, dementia diagnoses will be tracked across the study groups over the five-year period.
Many people visit their General Practitioner (GP) with excessive, unpleasant worrying or feeling generally anxious, nervous, or tense. This can be called Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and often occurs alongside depression and low mood. GPs often prescribe antidepressants for worry and anxiety, but about half of people do not experience a reduction in symptoms.
The Diamond study is a programme that is developed for people with type 2 diabetes to help them achieve remission. This means that a person has a normal blood glucose level and does not require any medication to manage their diabetes.
Being in remission will greatly improve a persons quality of life and will help them avoid the long term risks of diabetes.
Approximately 30% of people get Herpes Zoster or “shingles” and it is more common in people over the age of 50. It causes a painful, blistering rash, which lasts up to four weeks. The most common complication of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia, which can be disabling for months-to-years.
The aim of the ATHENA study is to find out whether a medicine called amitriptyline stops adults with shingles getting “post-herpetic neuralgia” (nerve pain after shingles)
If you have been treated for any type of cancer at any time before 2022 we want your opinions. Just because your cancer treatment may have stopped, has its impact on your life stopped?
Half of us will have cancer in our lifetime. You can help to make the treatment and care of people close to you better by taking part in this survey. All we need is for you to Tell us about your life after treatment through an online survey at a time that suits you.