More than 2,000 participants took part in vital health and care research on the Isle of Wight last year, according to new data published by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
People took part in hospitals and in the community, such as GP surgeries, reflecting the government’s ambition to shift healthcare from hospitals into communities (see notes to editors for full figures). And residents are being urged to join more than 2,300 other Isle of Wight residents who have signed up to be notified about studies they could take part in at the Be Part of Research website.
The NIHR helped health and care organisations recruit 878,698 volunteers for 4,536 recruiting studies across England in the 12 months from 1st April 2025. This brings the total number of participants taking part in research in England to over 7.4 million since April 2020, helping solve some of the UK’s biggest health and care challenges.
What residents took part in
Volunteers contributed to vital NIHR-supported research on the Isle of Wight, including:
- a study into whether screening a newborn’s genetic sequence helps find and treat about 200 rare conditions early
- an online survey tracking the health and wellbeing of people living with cancer to discover what community support they need most
- a trial to screen people with long-term heartburn to catch early signs of oesophageal cancer. The participant swallows a small capsule on a string which dissolves in the stomach to release a tiny sponge. As it is pulled back up, it gathers cell samples from the food pipe lining to detect pre-cancerous changes
- a study to find out if informing asthma patients about the carbon footprint of different inhalers influences which they choose
Research leaders respond
Research leaders on the Isle of Wight welcomed the number of residents who took part in research last year.
Alex Merryweather, Head of Research Operations, Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said,
“It is fantastic to see so many people across the Isle of Wight choosing to take part in health and care research.
“Every participant plays an important role in helping us develop new treatments, improve services and build the evidence that shapes future patient care.
“I would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time, as well as the dedicated research teams who support and deliver these studies.”
Prof Saul Faust, Health and Care Director at NIHR South Central Regional Research Delivery Network, which supports health and care providers to deliver studies, said,
“We are incredibly proud of the people on the Isle of Wight who have stepped up to be part of the solution to some of our biggest health challenges. It’s great to know that the Isle of Wight’s participants are part of a massive movement to unlock better treatments for cancer, stroke and many other diseases right here on our doorstep.”
How to get involved
Participating in health research helps develop new treatments, improve the NHS, public health and social care and save lives.
Studies take place in hospitals, the community and the home, for example answering a questionnaire about a health condition. People without the condition being studied can also take part so results can be compared to those with a medical condition.
The Be Part of Research website allows people aged 18 and over to search for studies and sign up to be contacted about trials into conditions that interest them, for example diabetes and stroke. More than 720,000 UK people have signed up, including more than 2,300 on the Isle of Wight.
Visit the website to find studies and sign up.
The stats
The 2025/26 figures show on the Isle of Wight:
- 1,221 participants took part in 15 studies at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, which manages St Mary’s Hospital and Isle of Wight Ambulance Service
- 608 participants took part in 2 studies on the Isle of Wight managed by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
- 131 participants took part in 3 studies on the Isle of Wight managed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- 137 participants took part in studies at GP practices
News shared by Carolyn on behalf of National Institute for Health and Care Research. Ed
