Research database for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS FT (CPFT)
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
319851
Contact name
Rudolf N. Cardinal
Contact email
Research summary
CPFT Research Database
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EE/0264
Date of REC Opinion
15 Dec 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
Information from CPFT NHS clinical records is fed automatically, via a system to remove all information that might identify an individual, into a de-identified research database.
The database is available to approved researchers within CPFT and its partner research organizations for population-based (epidemiological) research - e.g. looking for links between things like family history and particular illnesses. The researchers won't know who any patient is, and patients are not approached for their permission - but they can opt out.
For ethically approved face-to-face research projects, researchers can search the database for de-identified (pseudonymised) patients meeting their study's criteria, then ask CPFT if the patients are interested in receiving information. Patients choose an "approach mode": "GREEN" (allow approved researchers to view my records and write to me directly about relevant projects), "YELLOW" (ask me via my clinicians each time), or "RED" (don't contact me). Patients may withdraw consent at any time. Decisions about research never affect the standard of care.
The CPFT Clinical Data Linkage Service links CPFT data securely to data from other sources for epidemiological research. Sometimes identifiers (like NHS numbers) are used to link data, but these are removed before researchers see the data. Local and national opt-outs are respected.
Research programme
The database will help CPFT fulfil NHS Constitution pledges to “anonymise the information collected during the course of your treatment and use it to support research and improve care for others” and “inform you of research studies in which you may be eligible to participate”. (1) It will support epidemiological research in mental health and community care within CPFT and its partner research organizations in Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP), a UK Academic Health Science Centre. This type of research includes looking at the causes and consequences of diseases, response to treatment, etc., using de-identified information from many patients. (2) CUHP conducts world-class research in neuroscience/mental health, including basic research (examining causes and mechanisms of complex illnesses) and clinical trials (e.g. testing how well different treatments work). The Database will improve opportunities for patients to participate in research, and improve access to patients for CUHP researchers, thus improving the research that patients support. (3) There may be direct clinical benefits: the database enables better NHS audit/service development, and allows clinicians to find information in large quantities of text (e.g. finding which of their patients are on a certain medication, if that information is not stored in a structured way).
Research database title
CPFT Research Database
Establishment organisation
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Establishment organisation address
Elizabeth House
Fulbourn Hospital, Fulbourn
Cambridge
CB21 5EF