Thousands in region take part in clinical trials
More than 65,000 people took part in clinical trials in the West Midlands during a 12-month period, new figures have shown.
Thousands signed up to help further medical research during 2019/20.
It comes as scientists continue to work on finding a vaccine for Covid-19. The latest figures mostly cover the period before coronavirus struck in the UK, but do include some Covid-19 patients.
More than 330,000 have taken part in trials over the last five years and it marks the second year running every NHS trust in England recruited to studies, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) said.
The body also confirmed 15,000 people in the region had now taken part in Covid-19 studies.
Phil Cawkwell, 38, from Erdington, who took part in the NIHR-backed Reocvery-RS trial while fighting for his life with coronavirus, said: "It’s a fantastic opportunity and gives you hope at a dark time to think you might be helping other people.
"I have always been interested in research and I would say to anyone who gets the chance - just do it. We have to go forward with medical interventions and I would definitely think about taking part in further trials in future."
NHS trusts across the West Midlands supported 1,439 studies last year.
A total of 732,176 people took part nationally in NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) supported studies in the 2019/20 financial year.
The highest recruiting medical specialty nationally was primary care, with 151, 868 people recruited. This was also reflected in the West Midlands, where 24,382 enrolled at their GP surgery.
Dr David Shukla, primary care specialty lead for the region, said: "The fact that so many people are getting involved in research through their local doctors' surgery really is great news.
"It shows that our GPs are really spreading the word – and patients are signing up enthusiastically."
David Loughton, chief executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross Hospital and hosts the network, said: "The accomplishments of the CRN in the region are testament to the hard work and commitment of the excellent staff, and the willingness of participants to give up their time to help others."
