South West GP patients recruited to COVID-19 clinical trial

Volunteer patients from across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset are being enrolled in the first clinical trial of potential Covid-19 treatments to take place in GP practices.

The University of Oxford led trial has seen the first participants recruited across 13 of the region's General Practices and a further 61 have expressed an interest in joining.

Only those at most risk of complications from coronavirus will be eligible to join the trial - that’s people aged 50 to 64 with underlying health conditions, or people aged 65 and above.

Research Delivery Staff outside Claremont Medical Practice.

Teign Estuary Medical Group in Teignmouth enrolled the first participant in the region within 24 hours of the trial opening, and staff at Claremont Medical Practice in Exmouth worked hard to inform their patients as quickly as possible.

The trial aims to recruit over 3,000 people via participating GP surgeries. Credit: PA

Most clinical trials for Covid-19 are focussed on providing treatment to those already admitted to hospital with serious symptoms, but this one will evaluate the different treatments that could slow or halt the disease and ease the burden on hospitals.

Hydroxychloroquine is being suggested as a potential medication that could treat the Coronavirus pandemic. Credit: PA

In the first instance, the trial will evaluate a drug called hydroxychloroquine, which has been used for many years around the world for conditions such as malaria and certain types of arthritis. The antibiotic azithromycin will soon be added to the trial.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know