Clinical Research
Upton Surgery is a Research Practice
Upton Surgery has for many years been a research active practice linked to the Clinical Research Network (CRN). This means that as a practice we get involved in CRN portfolio research projects. All of these projects have ethical approval and all are supported by high level funding, e.g. from the National Institute for Health Research, the Medical Research Council, the Welcome Foundation, or major charity funders such as Diabetes UK.
We work in close collaboration with the CRN team of GPs, research nurses and facilitators based in the Medical School at the University of Warwick. If a patient is eligible to take part in a CRN research study running in our practice, a GP or other healthcare professional will provide written information. Taking part in a research study is voluntary and can be beneficial to patients who participate in them. Studies vary as to what is involved. Sometimes the study may involve filling in a questionnaire or it may involve a research nurse gathering data and, where needed, taking clinical measurements such as blood pressure or a blood test.
Examples of CRN projects include:
- investigations into the causes and outcomes of respiratory infections
- the management of heart failure
- interventions designed to increase physical activity
- finding out whether low dose aspirin helps people with Type 2 diabetes
- trialling techniques to help people stop smoking
- investigating the use of self-monitoring of blood pressure
It is essential that such research occurs in general practice as this is where the majority of NHS clinical encounters occur. The current move is towards increasing involvement of general practices in research and we are delighted to be working so closely with the Clinical Research Network team to improve patient care and outcomes.
Our GP Research Lead within the practice is Dr Barrell
If you have any questions about our research then please contact the surgery or if you would like to know more about CRN, visit www.warwick.ac.uk/go/pcresearchparticipation
South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)
In South Worcestershire, small groups of practices came together as early as 2006 to take on new commissioning responsibilities promoted through the government policy of 'practice based commissioning'.
Over time, these groups recognised the need to form into a larger, more robust structure and in January 2008, South Worcestershire Commissioning Cluster (SWCC) was formed, initially with 19 practices.
Today, we are an organisation encompassing 31 practices stretching right across South Worcestershire with a population of 287,154. We have a budget of £293 million to commission hospital and community services and a management budget of £1,005,000 to run the consortium. The change of term from 'cluster' to 'consortium' on the 1st October 2010, marked our establishment as a formal sub-committee of NHS Worcestershire. By April 2013, we will be a statutory organisation in our own right.
We are the largest of the three Worcestershire Consortia and one of the largest in the West Midlands. Our size offers the potential for bargaining power with our providers and management efficiencies as well as the challenge of maintaining the culture of active involvement of all our practices with which we pride ourselves.
Key Facts
- 287,154 - Will inherit responsibility for commissioning health services for a total population of 287,154
- £1.005 million - Management budget for 2011/12
- 31 GP Practices within the Consortium
- £293 million - Total budget for 2011/12
- Largest consortium in Worcestershire
South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group website
Rights & Responsibilities
Our Responsibility to You:
- You will be treated reasonably and courteously at all times
- You have a right to confidentiality - we will respect your
privacy and confidentiality at all times - You have the right to see your medical records subject to the limitations of the law and in accordance with Practice procedure for access to health records
- You will be seen the same day if your problem is urgent
- You will be informed if there will be a delay of more than 20 minutes when you arrive for your appointment
- You will be given the result of any test or investigation on request or at your next appointment
- Your repeat prescription will be ready for collection within 48 hours of your request
- Your suggestions and comments about the services offered will be considered sympathetically and any complaint dealt with in accordance with Practice complaint procedure
- When changes are introduced to practice procedures that affect patients, we will ensure that these are clearly explained
With these rights come responsibilities:
- To treat all members of staff in a reasonable and courteous manner. The practice adheres to the national guidelines and follows a zero tolerance ruling with regard to abusive or violent patients. In circumstances where patients are aggressive, violent or abusive towards a member of staff they may be taken off the practice list, depending on the severity of the incident
- To provide us with any change of address, telephone number or name, so that our records are kept up to date
- To attend appointments on time or give the practice adequate notice that they wish to cancel. Someone else could use your appointment!
- To order your repeat prescriptions in plenty of time
- To switch off your mobile phone whilst on the Practice premises
- An appointment is for one person only - where another member
of the family needs to be seen or discussed, another appointment
should be made - Patients should make every effort when consulting the surgery to
make best use of nursing and medical time - home visits should be
medically justifiable and not requested for social convenience - Out-of-hours calls (e.g. evenings; nights & weekends) should
only be requested if they are felt to be truly necessary - Do let us know whenever you feel we have not met our responsibility to you