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We're making research accessible for everyone
Have you received a message from uMed about joining an registry and are wondering who we are?
We are an accredited platform used by healthcare professionals from across the UK to connect patients with medical research opportunities that are relevant to their health circumstances.
If you have further questions about uMed or a study you’ve been invited to please contact our patient support team.
"It's been 5 years since my diagnosis but this is my first time taking part in Parkinson's research because of my poor mobility. Being able to take part despite having no internet is a big positive and your nurses make this possible."
AccessPD participant
You have been invited to take part because your health records indicate you are suitable to be part of the research.
A registry is a type of study that follows participants over time and collects information on individual patients.
Unlike traditional registries we've developed a novel type of study design that provides researchers with invaluable data about different diseases and conditions, provided by you, on your own terms, from the comfort of your own home, in the form of questionnaires, medical device data and DNA testing.
If you’d like to be part of this research but would like support at any point with the questionnaires or signing up to the study, our team of study support specialists and nurses are available by phone to help you throughout the process, and remember you can opt out at any point.
Nurse
Email
SMS
Letter
We connect patients with research
We are data processors, not controllers
We separate all identifiable information from health data
We’re compliant with the requirements of the NHS Digital Data and Security Protection Toolkit
We’re certified by Cyber Essentials Plus
We’re a Crown Commercial Service Supplier
So you can make an informed decision about participating in research
1. Matching you with a research programme
We present a research programme (registry) to GPs within our network. If they believe it will benefit their patients, they allow us to find patients that match the research criteria based on health record information.
2. Receive a study invitation
Using the uMed platform, GPs will send an SMS, email or letter to you with more information about signing up to the research programme, including what’s involved for you.
3. Online questionnaire & your consent
If you are interested to take part and click on the study link in the message you receive, you’ll then be asked to answer some online questions to make sure you fit the criteria to be part of the programme. If you need any help filling out the questionnaire or signing up to the study, our team of nurses is available to support you through the process, and remember you can opt out at any point.
4. Additional study opportunities
You will have already provided baseline data from the questionnaire that you completed upon signing up for the registry, this information will be vital for researchers that need to look at trends across large groups of patients. You may also be offered additional studies that aim to gather more detailed information. You will be able to participate in these opportunities from home, and the opportunity to participate will be entirely your choice.
Supporting representation of the wider population
A wide proportion of the UK population are registered with a GP. Working with our primary care research network we are able to offer patients research opportunities who might otherwise miss out due to their background, age or gender.
Supporting NHS participation in research
GP Participation is crucial to advancing our understanding of medical conditions and the development of new treatments. We take on the workload to enable your GP to take part in research so they can continue to focus on caring for you.
Accelerating the research process
80% of studies are delayed because of a failure to recruit patients; this has a significant impact on the development of treatments and cures. We’re matching patients with highly relevant studies to ensure studies can progress at pace.
Pediatric
Parkinson’s Disease
Kidney Disease
Cardiometabolic Diseases
Examples of our Medical Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
What does uMed do?
uMed is a company that acts on behalf of your GP practice to support the delivery of best practice care as well as increase the number of medical research projects that are offered by the practice. uMed does this using a technology platform alongside a team of medical staff to streamline the process of engaging patients with opportunities specific to them.
Why am I being contacted by uMed?
We are working on behalf of your GP practice, and they will be using our technology platform to deliver targeted health education and questionnaires to you, as well as presenting you with potential research relevant to you. uMed does this by sending SMS, letters, or emails that your GP practice has approved. uMed also has a team of medically trained staff who can provide additional advice to patients for each of the programmes we support.
Why did my GP trust the uMed Platform?
uMed platform is fully integrated with EMIS and System One through the Message Exchange for Social Care and Health (MESH) NHS Digital approved system.
Our software is approved and audited by NHS Digital Data Security, and Protection Toolkit assured (ODS8K677), ISO27001:2022 and ISO9001:2015 certified, UK Government’s Cyber Essentials Plus, Crown Commercial Service approved supplier, and UK GDPR compliant.
What information do you use?
Unless you have opted out of NHS data sharing, uMed receives the following information from your healthcare provider:
How will my data be used?
Health data collected from you and your healthcare provider record system will only be used for the research study, and not for any other purpose.
We obtain your consent to use this data when you sign up for the study, and this consent includes allowing the study team to share de-identified data (meaning patients will not be identifiable from this information) with external research organisations. The study protocol, including data sharing provisions has been reviewed by independent ethics committees in the the US and UK.
How do you keep my data secure?
The uMed Platform separates all identifiable information from your health data. Therefore, your health data is anonymised and is never presented simultaneously with personally identifiable information (PII).
An encrypted link identifier is the only connection between the two, which allows your GP to send you relevant opportunities based on this data.
We meet and exceed the highest standards of safety and security, as set by NHS bodies and the government. We go through assurance processes for these, and we regularly go through security checks conducted by independent experts.
How does uMed’s platform comply with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2008
Your GP signs a data processing agreement with uMed, that legally allows your GP or Doctor to share your data on your behalf in order to provide you with individualised care and offer you research opportunities to take part in. This is also the legal basis for us to process your data on behalf of your GP or Doctor (the controller of the data).
uMed is not required to request CAG approval. Data is provided to uMed by GPs, in order to provide a service under a Data Process Agreement.
uMed cannot use the data for research purposes itself, only under the direction of the data controller (GP), who may agree to participate in a specific study that may require CAG approval.
How does uMed’s platform comply with the NHS rules on data protection?
uMed, acting on behalf of the Providers, ensures that the duty of confidence owed to the patient is respected. uMed has achieved this by creating a system that ensures no Patient information is visible to any uMed employees or any subscribers to the uMed Platform unless patient consent has been obtained. The only exception to this is when the uMed clinical support team contacts patients as a subcontracted member of the direct care team for which there is extensive precedent.
In addition to these controls, there is well established precedent and an exception to the duty of confidentiality for data being disclosed to processors when data is being used to support direct care (implied consent).
Can I Opt-Out
Patients remain in charge of their data at all times and can opt out of being contacted, sharing data, or participating in studies at any time. We will not contact patients who have registered for the NHS national data opt-out. More information can be obtained on Opt-Out of sharing your health records-NHS.
Does uMed sell or share my data?
No, uMed uses your information only for the purpose of helping your healthcare provider deliver your primary care or to give you the best opportunities to participate in medical research under the direction of your GP practice.
uMed will never share health record data with another organisation unless instructed by your GP practice in a manner consistent with UK GDPR and the Common Law Duty of Confidentiality.
Will patients receive any payment for participation?
No, patients will not receive any payment. However, we may allocate donations to relevant disease charities if we ask you to undertake additional tasks for the study such as completing longer questionnaires.
We will also keep you updated on the outcomes of research that uses your data and show you how your contribution is improving the lives of others living with disease.
What will be involved if I consent to participate in a study?
If you choose to engage with a particular study, you will be presented with detailed information about the study, including what is involved and if the study requires your health data to be shared with another organisation. It is entirely your choice whether or not to be a part of the study, and if you decide not to participate, it will have no impact on the care you receive from your GP practice.
I have more questions: who can I speak to?
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact uMed at patientsupport@umed.io or +44 (0) 808 304 9869, and one of our dedicated team members will speak to you.
