Ashton Medical Group supports and delivers NHS Research
Our research team have been giving their patient population the opportunity to participate in Clinical Research trials of all types for more than 5 years, giving the whole 17,000 population under Ashton Medical Group the opportunity to access new treatments and care. Ashton Medical Group will continue to work with the Research arm of the NHS, the National Institute for Health Research, to promote clinical research and offer our patients the opportunity to take part in ethically approved research studies.
Research has always been at the heart of the NHS. Through research we are able to continually improve treatments and discover the best ways to prevent, diagnose and manage illnesses. It also helps us understand how to best focus NHS resources where they will be most effective.
As a patient, you may at times be offered the opportunity to be involved in research studies which Ashton Medical Group has agreed to support. The Practice’s level of involvement may range from simply having identified a suitable group of people from our database for an external researcher, to being a site recruiting to a global Randomised Controlled Trial of a new medication or treatment and providing all of the study visits and activity on-site.
We are one of the most Research active Primary Care sites in Greater Manchester, with a highly interested and involved Patient Population. There are many benefits of participating in Research – please find more to read about that in our ‘Information and Links’ section
Lead Research Team
Dr Omair Razzaq
Lead GP
Elisabeta Gruhn
Lead Nurse
Ebonie Heathcote
Nursing associate
James Rowlands
Management
Awards and Achievements
CRN Greater Manchester – Certificate of achievement (October 2023)
At Ashton Medical Group, we are proud to be recognised as a leading practice in innovation, research, and patient-centred care. Our commitment to improving health outcomes locally and nationally is reflected in the following achievements:
Research Excellence
- Top 10% nationally for patient recruitment into primary care research studies, consistently contributing to NIHR portfolio research.
- Lead practice in several cutting-edge studies, offering patients early access to new treatments and approaches.
- Driving innovation in population health through a collaborative bid to become the NIHR Clinical Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) for Greater Manchester.
Clinical Innovation
- Early adopter of a personalised cervical cancer screening intervention, combining extended access clinics, clinician-led calls, and direct booking to increase uptake.
- One of the few GP practices in the region to offer a dedicated in-house team of advanced clinical practitioners across mental health, paediatrics, and musculoskeletal care, improving same-day access and quality of care.
- Leading the way with a restructured Salaried GP role, introducing leadership responsibilities and quality improvement opportunities that enhance team development and patient outcomes.
Collaborative Leadership
- Pioneering a scalable model to deliver research services on behalf of other GP practices, supported by formal collaboration agreements, data-sharing protocols, and honorary research contracts.
- Actively engaged in strategic primary care transformation, with a strong focus on digital triage efficiency, patient list growth, and sustainable workforce models.
Recognition & Impact
- Regularly invited to present at regional and national forums on research delivery, population engagement, and service innovation.
- Trusted by academic and NHS partners for consistently delivering high-quality, inclusive research that reaches under-served populations.
Current Research
We are currently inviting eligible patients to take part in the following research studies. Taking part is always voluntary, and participation may help improve care for others in future. If you’re interested or want to know more, please speak to a member of our team.
1. TRIUMPH Study
This study is for patients who have had a previous stroke, heart attack (MI), or have chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage 3. It is testing a new medication that may help prevent future heart and circulation problems. The aim is to reduce the risk of another cardiovascular event.
2. ANTLER 75+
This study is for people aged 75 and over who are taking antidepressants for depression. It aims to find out whether continuing antidepressants is better than stopping them when someone is feeling well. It is a randomised controlled trial where neither the patient nor the doctor knows which treatment they are receiving (double-blind).
3. Catch-Up Screen
This study identifies women who left the cervical screening programme without having the newer HPV test (introduced in 2019). Eligible women are automatically sent a self-sampling kit in the post – no need to sign up. The aim is to improve screening coverage and early detection.
4. LIGHT CARE Study
This study looks at weight loss in people with obesity. It compares standard NHS weight management support with a new combined approach: a soups and shakes diet followed by GLP-1 injections (a type of weight loss medication). Each treatment individually leads to weight loss, but together they may result in substantial and long-lasting weight reduction.
5. OPTIMISE 2
This study is for people aged 75 and over who are taking medication for high blood pressure. It looks at whether it’s safe and beneficial to reduce the number or dose of blood pressure tablets in people whose readings are already well controlled. The goal is to see if fewer medications can still keep people healthy and lower the risk of side effects.
6. EXTOD
This study is for people with type 1 diabetes who spend a lot of time sitting. It tests whether regular short walking breaks (just 3 minutes at a time) can help with glucose levels and wellbeing. The study involves a 1-month home-based programme and participants receive a £75 voucher for taking part.
7. ASYMPTOMATIC
This trial is for children with asthma. It compares the current routine of taking a daily preventer inhaler to a more flexible approach, where inhalers are used based on symptoms. The aim is to see if as-needed treatment is just as safe and effective as daily medication. The study uses existing NHS data, so participation is simple and low-burden.