Help shape future of heart disease research with workshop in Aberdeen
23rd November 2022
A free event at Robert Gordon University will aim to better understand and prioritise the future needs of cardiovascular patients across the north of Scotland
Taking place on Wednesday 30 November from 10.30am to 4pm, it will bring together members of the public, researchers, and the NHS amid strong ongoing research into this vital area.
The day, organised by the NHS Research Scotland Cardiovascular Network, alongside NHS Grampian’s clinical research team, will give patients with heart disease and their carers an opportunity to find out more about current research and have their say on where efforts should be focused in future.
You can find out more details about the event and book your place via Eventbrite. It follows a patient day held in Glasgow in May where patients asked for more regional and local meetings.
The interactive workshop in Aberdeen will consider the unique needs of remote patients and the challenges of breaking down accessibility boundaries while helping to shape future cardiovascular research priorities.
Professor Lis Neubeck, who is Head of the Centre for Cardiovascular Health at Edinburgh Napier University, is clinical lead for the national network.
She said: “This is a perfect opportunity to come and talk with medical and nursing researchers, and others living with heart disease about what makes a difference to you. What’s important to you in developing research into your condition? This is an opportunity to make a huge difference to the lives of people with cardiovascular conditions, often living in remote locations, not only right now but in the future too.
“Patients, and members of the public more widely, are central to research, and it is vital they are involved in all aspects of the process, from the setting of key priorities and planning for future needs, to identifying trends and learnings.
“Robust research remains vital to building on and accelerating positive progress in cardiovascular research, and significant work continues to help restore the diverse portfolio of health and social care studies that Scotland offered before the pandemic; and more than ever it is vital that patient and public voices are not only heard but can also directly shape and guide the focus of clinical research as we move forward.”
According to the British Heart Foundation, there are an estimated 700,000 people living with heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland. ‘Heart and circulatory diseases’ is an umbrella term for all diseases of the heart and circulation.
It includes everything from conditions that are inherited or that a person is born with, to those that develop later, such as coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
Claudia Zabke, NHS Grampian’s Research Engagement and Involvement Officer, added: “We are helping the NHS Research Scotland Cardiovascular Network team to organise the event and we hope it will be really helpful for people with heart disease and their carers. It’s a great opportunity to raise awareness of clinical research in Grampian.
“Following the event, there will be an opportunity for patients and carers to join a cardiovascular public involvement group with people from across Scotland.”