Tameside man extols virtues of NHS weightloss study

A Tameside man who struggled with his weight for years is encouraging others to consider taking part in health research after joining a study through his local GP practice.

Eddie Blackshaw, 54, from Ashton-under-Lyne, is among more than 97,000 people across the North West who took part in NHS-supported health and care research during 2025/26. In total, 97,308 people participated in 1,385 studies across the region.

Eddie joined the LightCARE study after seeing it advertised on the NHS App. The research is investigating whether an intensive weight loss programme is more effective than the weight management support currently available through the NHS and local community services.

Having struggled with his weight for years, Eddie said it had contributed to high blood pressure and a serious knee injury that forced him to leave his warehouse job. He also found himself avoiding social occasions because he lacked the energy to go out.

Mr Blackshaw said: "I just let my weight get out of control. At my heaviest, I thought, 'I have to do something about this.' I couldn't walk for long without needing to sit down."

The study is being carried out at GP practices including Ashton Medical Group, where Eddie is a patient. Participants attend regular appointments over two years and undergo a range of health assessments including body composition and bone density scans while researchers compare different approaches to weight management. The study's findings are expected to be published in 2028.

Eddie said taking part close to home made a significant difference:

"For me, taking part at my GP practice was such a good thing. If I'd had to travel into Manchester, I'm not sure I would have taken part."

Health research is increasingly taking place in community settings as well as hospitals. Across the North West last year, more than 11,400 people were recruited to studies through GP practices, with thousands more taking part in research in settings such as pharmacies, schools and care homes.

Dr Omair Razzaq, a GP at Ashton Medical Group and principal investigator for the LightCARE study, said offering research through local practices makes it easier for patients to get involved:

"The vast majority of NHS patient interactions happen in primary care, so it's important that people have opportunities to take part in research through their local GP practice."

People interested in taking part in health research can search for studies through the NHS' Be Part of Research service.