Praise and poetry for Newcastle research staff
A volunteer who helped with research into a health problem in older people has praised the staff who looked after her – and the experience inspired her to dedicate a poem to the team.
Valerie Howarth is 82 years old and lives in Ovingham in Northumberland. She kindly volunteered to take part in the Muscle Ageing and Sarcopenia across the Lifecourse Study (MASS_Lifecourse).
This study aims to gain a detailed understanding of sarcopenia which is the loss of muscle strength and mass with age.
Sarcopenia is an important health problem that is common in older adults and associated with decline in mobility as well as a reduced quality of life. Sarcopenia can also lead to serious health consequences in terms of increased disability, illness and the need for increased health and social care.
‘Important for future generations’
Valerie was recruited for this research study through her GP and was keen to take part in research, having volunteered for similar research studies in the past.
She thinks it’s important for people to get involved in research studies like this one. She said: “I think it’s important for future generations, so if I can help in some way I feel I have to do that. If I can contribute to research again I will, I think it’s important to do new things at my age, new things that are good for my brain!”
‘Staff were brilliant’
Her experience started with a home visit from one of the researchers. Valerie explains: “Dr Jonny came and saw me at home, which I was grateful for as I didn’t have to drive to Newcastle. He was here for two hours, guiding me through the questions and tests.”
This was followed by a trip to the Clinical Ageing Research Unit (CARU) in the Biomedical Research Building at the Campus for Ageing and Vitality in Newcastle, where Valerie underwent a muscle biopsy and a bone density scan with compassionate care from the team.
Valerie said: “The whole thing was a lot more pleasant that I thought it was going to be. The staff were brilliant, I couldn’t have asked for nicer people. They were absolutely great, always smiling.”
Professor Avan Aihie Sayer, Director of the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the study’s chief investigator, said: “We are so grateful to Valerie and others for volunteering to take part in the MASS_Lifecourse study. A wide range of people taking part in medical research is vital and gives us the best chance of making discoveries that can help improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia.”
Poetic tribute
Valerie’s experience was so positive that Valerie was inspired to write a poem about her time as a research study patient.
She said: “I’m fascinated with words, and I really wanted to write something that showed how impressed I was.”
Tribute to the team…..and Dr Jonny!
Attended the CARU Centre to take part
As volunteer for the research they do.
Taxis organised to transport me
And escorted inside to desk too.Larissa greeted me with her lovely smile,
Then my details she thoroughly checked,
A friendly chat duly followed this
And meeting with nurse Maria came next.To Room 2… for my exclusive use…
Light, airy and spotlessly clean
Prepared, fully supplied with equipment –
The most in one place I’d yet seen!Maria, so cheerful and kind, was great
At guiding me through each task.
With care and concern she watched me-
What more could anyone ask?Having fasted for hours I’m ready to eat-
Thanks to Adam ..who brought toast and tea.
(Later on too he quietly appeared
With the chosen lunch for me.)Maria and I exchanged views and opinions
On every subject known to woman ..or man.
Then off she took me to the special room
Where I lay -very still- ‘neath the DexaScan’.Next came Doctor Karen … who took great care
To answer questions, describe, reassure.
With supreme patience and consideration she
Made doubly sure I felt safe and secure.The procedure, well managed and carried out-
Sensitively and with concern that was done.
Discomfort kept to a minimum ;a slight twinge
But, really and truly, of pain there was none!With dressings and bandage firmly applied,
Quiet, relaxed , book in hand ,more food,
Checks again by both nurse and doctor-
Find all progressing well, as it should.The results will be used to benefit and help
Anyone who may need it some day.
A few hours of inconvenience to me?
A very small price to pay.What a hard working ,admirable Team you are!
All that is left for me to do
Is to send this most sincere tribute…..
Thanks to each and every one of you.From Valerie Howarth.
Find out more about the Muscle Ageing and Sarcopenia across the Lifecourse Study (MASS_Lifecourse)
Find out how you can volunteer and be part of research