Getting involved

Simply contact us directly by phone; email or letter

phone: 02380 475206.

If we are not there leave a message with your name and telephone number or e mail address and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

email: MARC@southernhealth.nhs.uk

or write to us at 
Memory Assessment & Research Centre, Tom Rudd Unit, Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 3JB

Friends of MARC are advisors for MARC through Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) so that research is carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them.

Often we find that our patients enjoy our trials so much that they cannot wait for the next and through the Friends of MARC scheme, they can continue their involvement with us. But we are not only looking for patients and caregivers to become ‘friends of MARC’ we are including anyone that may have an invested interest in the work we do. For example, Healthcare Professionals from across our trust or local charity services.

As a Friend of MARC, you could be asked to complete various tasks including:

• Focus groups to discuss papers/journal articles
• Providing feedback on leaflets, websites or other communication tools
• Producing content for our webpage
• Advising us on assessments and different research activities
• Public speaking or presenting about MARC and MARC research

There is a wide range of different activities and just because you sign up to become a Friend of MARC, you are not expected to complete every task; only those that you choose to.

If you are interested in learning more about the Friends of MARC or becoming a Friend of MARC,  

Contact us via email: MARC@southernhealth.nhs.uk

or

Call us on: 02380 475206

If we do not pick up, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

               Can't see the answer to your question? Then ring us or send us an e mail.

What kind of studies do you do?

We do a lot of different studies. Some of these studies can be very simple, like asking you some questions about your life-style over the phone and others can be more complicated involving the administration of pioneering new drugs or involving blood and imaging tests. All of these studies are helping us towards a better understanding of these diseases and ultimately a cure. 

Does your research only involve Alzheimer's Disease?

No. We do research with people who have a variety of memory disorders most commonly Alzheimer's Disease but also people with other forms of dementia such as Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Parkinson's Disease as well as in people with less severe memory problems such as Mild Cognitive Impairment. Some of our studies also need people without any obvious memory problems.

Why should I bother to get involved?

• By taking part, you could help future patients with dementia
• Receive robust general health and memory screening, and ongoing monitoring
• Receive full physical and neurological examinations
• Regular contact with an experienced and skilled multidisciplinary research team
• Receive more advice, information and support
• Potentially take medication that may improve memory

Does MARC make a profit out of these research studies?

No. MARC is run within the NHS. All money coming into MARC from commercial companies or charities is used to pay for the salary costs of staff or other costs needed to run the studies or for our educational activities.

Do I get paid for taking part in these studies?

No, but any expenses, such as travelling costs, that you incur will be reimbursed.

How much time committment is involved?

It depends on the study. Some can take less than an hour in total. Other studies can take 2 hours several times a year for up to two years.

Can I get guarantee that I will get active rather than placebo treatment?

In a lot of drug studies people are often randomly given either an active treatment or a placebo. It is not possible to guarantee which one you will get. However, some studies when they finish will allow people to be commenced on the active treatment when the study ends.