RESEARCH staff will be on hand at the James Paget University Hospital (JPH) tomorrow to speak to the public about the important role clinical research has in improving people's health.

To mark International Clinical Trials' Day the Research and Development team at the JPH will be in the foyer of the hospital to explain their important work to patients, visitors and other hospital staff.

Over the past year more than 700 patients from the James Paget University Hospital have volunteered to take part in a wide range of clinical trials designed to improve treatments and further medical knowledge.

The research team will be around from 9am to 4pm tomorrow to explain how clinical trials work and how people can get involved.

Research and Development Manager Karen Reavell said: 'Clinical trials are vital in improving drugs and treatments and helping us better understand health-related problems.

'As a hospital we are grateful to the hundreds of patients who volunteer to take part in research.

'Many of them say they really appreciate the chance to contribute to medical research and to help others in the future'.