Project Summary
We are supporting The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) in a research study
conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London (UCL).
Ageing is recognised as one of the major challenges facing the world’s populations. The aim of this study is to find out how health and well-being change as people in Barking and Dagenham grow older. Some people experience difficulties as they get older while others remain fit and active. We are interested in the full range of experiences so that we can get a true picture of the ageing process, helping policy makers meet the needs of the modern generation of older people in Barking and Dagenham and are inviting residents of Barking and Dagenham who are over 54 to take part in a research study about ageing in the Barking and Dagenham in order to understand more about the causes and consequences of hospitalisation on their overall health.
What is LINKAGE?
LINKAGE is a study designed to understand the needs of older people in Barking and Dagenham.
- We are looking for Barking and Dagenham residents aged 54 and older
- If you are interested in participating, we will telephone you and ask questions about your health, memory and any disabilities
- Studying individuals may help us to understand how to improve healthcare in Barking and
Dagenham and the NHS beyond
What is the purpose of the study?
Delirium is a medical word used to describe a change in brain function which makes a person become suddenly confused. Their behaviour and concentration may also be affected. It can make people feel frightened, restless and suspicious. The symptoms can come on quickly and change from hour to hour. Delirium is usually caused by an illness such as an infection. It is very common, particularly among people with dementia, older people and those in hospital. People who have delirium while they are in hospital often stay longer in hospital.
Delirium usually gets better within a few days to weeks but it can sometimes take several months for people to recover fully. Importantly, there is some evidence that delirium may cause permanent damage to the brain. It may make people more likely to develop dementia in the future. For those who already have dementia, delirium may make their dementia get worse. Unfortunately, we do not understand these effects of delirium very well. This is because all of the previous studies were of people whom the researchers had not seen until they developed delirium. The researchers couldn’t be sure whether the people they studied were already showing signs of dementia before they got the delirium.
Previous work on this problem has shown that there are ways we can prevent some cases of delirium or make the problem get better faster. It is important to understand the effect of delirium on the brain because it may be a cause of dementia we can reduce or prevent.
What will happen to me if I take part?
We will arrange a telephone call from one of our team to gather information about you. We will ask you some questions about your health and social circumstances. We will also test your memory.
This is an observational study which means there are no experiments or trials or new drugs. If you agree to take part in the study, you will be tested for delirium. This is done by asking you some questions particularly about your memory, asking your next of kin some questions and also by observing you. The research team will also write down important information including why you are in hospital, how unwell you are, blood test results, age and gender.
Expenses and payments
Taking part in this study will not cost you anything so we will not need to offer expenses. We will not pay you to take part in this research project.
What will I have to do?
If you take part in the study, you and your family will have a conversation with a member of the research team lasting up to 40 minutes. This will not affect your medical care at all and can be arranged at a convenient time. We will ask simple questions to test your memory. If you are not able to answer, this does not matter.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
There are no risks of taking part as the study simply involves observing and will not in any way affect your care. The main burden is on your time. The telephone assessments will take up to 40 minutes.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
The study will not benefit you directly. However, the information we get from this study may help improve the care of people with delirium and dementia.
What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?
You are able to leave the study at any time. We would be grateful if you could give us a reason for leaving but you are not obliged to do so. We will need to use the information collected up to your withdrawal.
Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?
Yes. The study is strictly confidential. Any information about you will be stored safely on a dedicated database using a code number to identify you rather than your name.
The only people who will have access to this information are those directly involved in the study and people involved in ensuring the high standards of research in the hospital and university.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
We want to publish the results of this study so that other people can learn from us. We may also present our results at national and international conferences. You will not be identified .We will write to you to let you know the results of the study once they are available.
Who is organising and funding the research?
The study is being funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Who has reviewed the study?
All research in the NHS is looked at by an independent group of people, called a Research Ethics Committee, to protect your interests. This study has been reviewed and given favourable opinion by the London Camden and King’s Cross National Research Ethics Committee.
Further information and contact details
For more information about research, you may find the following website useful:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/
What if there is a problem?
Any complaint about the way you have been dealt with during the study will be addressed. To report a problem, or for specific information about this research project, please contact the project lead:
Mary-France Jardiel
Care City Innovation C.I.C.
1st Floor, Barking Enterprise Centres CIC
50 Cambridge Road
Barking, IG11 8FG
Tel: 07865213499
Email: carecity.linkagestudy@
Website: www.carecity.london
For more information, you may find the following websites helpful:
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about/
- https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia?categoryID=200120
Who’s involved? The key stakeholders
Click the logos to see more!
Care City (North East London Foundation Trust): Care City leads on the ‘New Care Models’ Work Stream, an undertaking which utilises the latest care technology to inform an adaptable, modernised, and high-quality health and social care infrastructure for Barking Riverside.
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council (LBBD): LBBD are involved with supporting various aspects of the delivery of the Healthy New Towns programme within the locality.
