Research

Research at Our Practice

At Crocus, we are committed to improving patient care through active involvement in research. Our team contributes to studies aimed at enhancing treatment, developing new care pathways, and advancing medical knowledge in primary care.

Participating in research helps ensure our patients benefit from the latest developments in healthcare, while also contributing to wider improvements in NHS services.

 

Publications

Our team members have contributed to a number of research publications and scientific abstracts.

Scott Downham and collaborators

  • Downham, S. (2021–2026)
    A mixed methods study to explore the readiness of general practice clinical pharmacists (GPCPs) and their training / educational needs
    Ongoing study (expected completion: 2024)

  • O’Gallagher, K., Lidder, S., Au-Yeung, J., Aldhufairi, F., Jaramillo Moyano, A., Deol, T., Wills-Gray, L-A. A., Mohd Ali, S. A., Ferguson, C., Downham, S., Maskell, P., Odongerel, C., Hatipoglu, E., McNeill, K., Omar, S. A., Webb, A. J.
    Inhibition of Salivary Carbonic Anhydrase VI (Gustin) by Acetazolamide but not Chlortalidone Reveals a Novel Mechanism for Regulating the Nitrate-Nitrite-NO Pathway and Blood Pressure in Healthy Volunteers
    Abstract submitted to Artery and Nitric Oxide Conferences

  • Downham, S., Holt, C., Dockery, F., Webb, A. J. (2015)
    Commentary on the medico-legal aspects of prescribing vitamin D
    Published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

  • Jacques, R. O., Mills, S. C., Cazzonatto Zerwes, P., Fagade, F. O., Green, J. E., Downham, S., Sexton, D. W., Mueller, A. (2015)
    Dynamin function is important for chemokine receptor-induced cell migration
    Published in Cell Biochemistry and Function

 

Dr Rozelle Kane and collaborators

Dr Rozelle C Kane, Leonidas Chouliaras, Simon Griffin - Longitudinal Studies of Blood-Based Biomarkers for Dementia in Primary Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis                                                                                                                                                                                             This research reviews and analyses existing studies on blood-based biomarkers used to support the detection and monitoring of dementia in primary care. It highlights the potential for simple blood tests to aid earlier diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and support more efficient management of dementia within community healthcare settings.
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz70856_103017

Domenic Di Francesco, Dr Rozella Kane: - Roadmap to Deliver on the Promise of Digital Health: Envisioning a New Era of Assurance.                This work explores the future of digital health and outlines a framework for ensuring safe, effective, and trustworthy use of digital technologies in healthcare. It highlights the need for robust governance, evaluation, and assurance systems as digital tools become increasingly integrated into patient care. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6437218

 

Research Studies Undertaken

2023 – 2024

  • IBPI Study (Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention)
    Evaluating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an online intervention for parents with bipolar disorder through a randomised controlled trial.

  • Renal-HF Study
    Co-creation of a care pathway to support personalised renal function monitoring and interventions for patients with heart failure.

2024 – 2025

  • Self-FRAX Study
    Improving fracture risk assessment in primary care by enhancing the quality and capture of patient-reported risk factors in electronic health records.

  • OPTIMISE 2 Study
    A study focused on improving prescribing decisions for older patients with mild hypertension who are at increased risk of adverse effects.

 

 

NIHR - Be Part of Research

Help Change Lives With Research

Be Part of Research is a free service which makes it easy to find and take part in vital health and care research across the UK. 

Simply tell us which health conditions you’re interested in. We’ll match you to suitable studies and send you information on how to take part.

Use Be Part of Research to:

  • find out about UK health and care research that’s relevant to you

  • get invitations to take part in approved health and care studies at local hospitals, GP practices, care settings or at home help researchers improve treatments, the NHS, public health and care

You can register with Be Part of Research if you:

  • have access to an email address

  • are 18 or over

  • live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland

You do not need to have a health condition to register.

Find Studies Now

Join Dementia Research

What happens when you register?

When you sign up to Join Dementia Research, the information you provide is used to match you to studies you may be able to take part in, both online, nationally and in your local area. The service connects registered volunteers with dementia researchers across the UK who are looking for people to join their studies.

You can review your study matches once you register and then it’s your decision whether to take part. Taking part means you will make a real difference to the future of dementia care, diagnosis and treatment.  

Sign Up Here

 

Page last reviewed: 18 May 2026
Page created: 20 April 2026