QEH praised by first participant of ground-breaking breast cancer study
The site in West Norfolk is one of six, across the country, who have been selected for the trial
A local retired NHS worker has praised the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for the care she received as the first participant in a ground-breaking breast cancer study.
The site in West Norfolk is one of six, across the country, who have been selected for the trial- which aims to help people with early-stage breast cancer follow their medication plan.
It does this via a range of up to four measures, which vary from therapy sessions, to written reminders.
"This support is out there for people if they need it"
Linda Marrin is the first person to take part in this trial, at the QEH. She is 67 and was randomly assigned two: text message reminders and a clinical psychologist
She was invited to take part in the ROSETA (Refining and Optimising a behavioural intervention to Support Endocrine Therapy) study which is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
She told us why she took part about being invited by nurse Hayley Webb:
"Somebody has got to take part in these trials and I hope it will encourage people going forwards to get involved. I have had support from right the way across the clinical team and across departments. The important thing to say is that this support is out there for people if they need it and ask for it".
Ms Marrin also told us that it's always best to speak to somebody- if something doesn't feel right:
"Any of the services that we can tap into, they are only a phone call away. If you have any worries or concerns they are absolutely fantastic in that sense, you can pick the phone up and there is somebody who can talk to you and even invite you in, if need be. So, people shouldn't be afraid to pick the phone up and have a conversation".
"I feel quite humbled to think we've been given that opportunity"
Hayley Webb is a research nurse- who invited Linda Marrin to take part.
She says there's a lot of positives to come from this, and she hopes it will help more people in the future:
"They are probably a little be weary to start with, and the majority of people that I speak to that have done research feel that just having a research nurse involved is an extra person to support them through their journey. I'm really grateful that Linda decided to get involved and I feel quite humbled to think we've been given that opportunity."
"It is promoting research and also, patients and the public can become more aware that we are here and the details of our department are on our website. So, anybody can always ring that number and say 'I've got this problem or disease, is there any research being carried out in it', and we'd be happy to speak to them".
"I’m proud of our team"
Dr Amy Fox, Principal Clinical Psychologist at QEHKL said:
“As scientist-practitioners, it’s so important for Clinical Psychologists to contribute to the evidence base that we use to inform the treatments we offer to patients. As such, I am delighted to be delivering the psychological intervention in the ROSETA Pilot Trial for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I’m proud of our team for making us the first site nationally to recruit to this trial, and so grateful to Linda and all our patients who have chosen to join this trial, who make this research possible.”
Helen Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer for the NIHR CRN East of England, said:
“I am delighted that Queen Elizabeth Hospital has recruited the first participant to the ROSETA trial. We are so grateful to Linda for participating in research. Without people like her, clinical trials couldn’t happen. Thank you, Linda.”