The Exchange Surgery supports clinical research and would like to encourage patients to join relevant trails.

Cervical screening self-sampling study

The Exchange Surgery has been selected to take part in an important study to test the use of self-sampling in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England. Self-sampling is a new method that is being considered for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme; this test can be completed at home and if implemented in the programme could increase access to screening for many people.

Before self-sampling can be offered as part of routine screening, it needs to be tested to ensure that the results are as accurate as the results from a sample taken by a doctor or nurse.

HPValidate is a study that is being led by Public Health England which will compare self-taken samples with samples taken by a doctor or nurse. This will help the NHS Cervical Screening Programme to decide what device/s could be used for HPV self-sampling in the future.

Over the next few weeks The Exchange Surgery will be inviting patients who are due for routine cervical screening (smear test) to take part in this study; participants will be asked to use one of the self-tests before having their sample taken by the doctor or nurse.  If you receive an invitation letter with information about the study please talk to your doctor or nurse when you come in for your appointment and they will be able to provide you with further information.

Help the NHS find a coronavirus vaccine

Sign up to be contacted about coronavirus research.

Would you like to reduce your smoking, but aren’t ready to quit?

Why not join a study which may help? Researchers at St George’s University in Tooting, South London, are looking for smokers to take part in their trial of physical activity and reduction of smoking (TARS study).

If you enrol and are in the intervention group you will be offered up to 8 sessions with a health trainer to help you to increase your physical activity and reduce your smoking. We have had very positive feedback from participants, “activity will curb smoking” and “with exercise comes less smoking”. You could also receive £40 in shopping vouchers for completing the study.

For more information, please contact Mary on 07896 934108 or email tars@sgul.ac.uk.

Message from the Clinical Research Team

Using Deep LEARNing to Predict MOOD Changes in Patients with Depression (LEARN-MOOD).

We would like to invite you to take part in our study looking at whether we are able to detect mood changes in patients with depression using data collected from wristwatch fitness trackers.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking to recruit people with a diagnosis of depression and who are currently taking a stable dose of an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) antidepressant medication. Potential participants must also be aged between 18 and 65 years old, own a smartphone, have access to the internet and have an active email address.

What does participation involve?

This study will involve taking part in some online video-call assessments where we will ask you about your mental health experiences, completing some online questionnaires throughout the duration of the study and wearing a wristwatch fitness tracker for a period of three months.

Compensation?

We will give you a £40 Amazon voucher to thank you for your time.

How can I register my interest?

Please email us at learn-mood@kcl.ac.uk with your mobile number and some times that you are available to be contacted for an initial brief phone conversation (around five minutes).