Leicester volunteers sought for UK’s largest health research programme

People living in Leicester are being urged to take part in a national health research programme which aims to create the most detailed “portrait” of people’s health in the UK.

Adults from across the county now have the opportunity to be among the first people involved in Our Future Health – a nationwide project looking to transform the prevention, detection and treatment of conditions such as dementia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Appointments are being offered to Leicester residents in a new mobile clinic at Asda, 1 Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NU, for around six weeks. In addition, Our Future Health appointments will also be available at Boots at Fosse Park, Leicester.

At their appointment, as well as having a blood sample and some physical measurements taken, volunteers will be offered information about their own health, including their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

In the future, volunteers will also be given the option to receive feedback about their risk of some diseases and have the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research studies.   

Dr Raghib Ali OBE, Chief Medical Officer at Our Future Health, said: “As we roll out more clinics across pharmacies and supermarket car parks, we’re hoping to make health research a convenient part of people’s daily routine, particularly for those who have never taken part in something like this before.

“With more clinics than ever, thousands more people can volunteer for our programme to find out new information about their own health, and help future generations live healthier lives for longer.” 

Working in collaboration with the NHS, the programme is sending invitation letters to people who live near the new clinics.

Anyone over the age of 18 can join by signing up online, completing an online health questionnaire, and booking a short clinic appointment.  

Our Future Health is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands and the Centre for Ethnic Health Research.

Professor Kamlesh Khunti CBE, Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Our Future Health, Director of NIHR ARC East Midlands and the Real-World Evidence Unit, and Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, said: “As a proud resident of Leicester, I urge my fellow community members to embrace this remarkable opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping the future of healthcare in our country.

“Our Future Health is a ground-breaking national research programme dedicated to painting the most intricate and accurate portrait of our nation's health.”

He added: “By getting involved, we can actively contribute to transforming the prevention, detection, and treatment of a wide range of health conditions, ensuring that our collective well-being thrives.

“Let us unite in this vital endeavour and pave the way for a healthier and brighter future for Leicester and the entire UK.”

NIHR ARC East Midlands funds vital work to tackle the region’s health and care priorities by speeding up the adoption of research onto the frontline of health and social care. The organisation puts in place evidence-based innovations which seek to drive up standards of care and save time and money.

NIHR ARC East Midlands is hosted by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and works in collaboration with the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network. It has bases at the University of Leicester and the University of Nottingham.

For more information and to take part, visit https://ourfuturehealth.org.uk/get-involved/taking-part/.