GP Surgeries in the West Midlands Launch COVID-19 Research

GP Practices in Warwickshire and Dudley are among the first to start recruiting patients into the ‘PRINCIPLE’ COVID-19 research study.

The main objective of this trial is to evaluate a drug called hydroxychloroquine and provide a rapid answer about its effectiveness in modifying the course of COVID-19.

Eve Hill Medical Practice in Dudley, St Wulfstan Surgery in Southam, Sherbourne Medical Centre in Leamington Spa and Budbrooke Medical Centre are taking part in this vital research. The goal is to see if it prevents disease progression so that those affected will recover sooner and avoid the need for hospital admission, reducing the burden on NHS services and resources.

The Lead GP for Eve Hill, which is the first of 51 in the region to sign up, is Dr David Shukla (pictured), Primary Care Clinical Research Lead for the Clinical Research Network West Midlands (CRN WM).  He says: ‘The Network is committed to prioritising the set-up and delivery of vital research into COVID-19, and its staff have been working hard in collaboration with the study team and staff from our member GP Practices to fast-track the set-up of this important trial.’

Pam Devall, Network Research Delivery Manager for Primary Care says: ‘It really is wonderful to see such a positive response from Practices willing to continue to support research, even in such difficult times.’ 

In order to avoid patients having to visit their GP, delivery of the trial medication and swabs to participants’ homes will be supported by the CRM WM and the NHS England volunteer programme.