I recently joined the WMS CRN team as GP Research Champion for Warwickshire North CCG. Now a GP principle at Manor Court Surgery in Nuneaton for almost 10 years, prior to moving into general practice, I was a Clinical Research Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Leicester University for 3 years, and I have first-hand experience of the trials and tribulations of implementing clinical research projects.

At Manor Court we have been participating and engaging with research in conjunction with the CRN (formerly PCRN), for several years and more recently have been part of the Research Incentive Scheme.  It is the experience of combining the demands of being a core GP with facilitating and contributing to research within primary care, that has led me to take on this role, with the hope I can promote the benefits and feasibility of engaging in research to fellow colleagues not yet involved with the CRN, and support those already engaged.

I firmly believe Primary care is an ideal platform for research and an underused resource when compared to secondary care. Long term the hope is those within primary care will partake in research as part of the daily routine, with the common aim of improving clinical outcomes and healthcare delivery. I look forward to developing my role and championing the cause of research within general practice.  

Contact details: f.lockhat@warwick.ac.uk