A KEIGHLEY GP surgery's patient council has won a national accolade.

The Holycroft group has received the inaugural Research Engagement Award.

The honour recognises the efforts of patient participation groups in primary care and aims to raise awareness of research.

Holycroft received a £400 cash prize for its involvement in clinical research.

Patricia Ellis – for award co-sponsor, the NIHR Clinical Research Network – said: "Holycroft Surgery and its patient council are delivering research which will make a real difference to patient care and also help the researchers of tomorrow.

"We're delighted to have such a worthy winner of this first award."

The patient council and practice manager Andrew Haigh worked with medical students on placement to develop an initial research project, examining amongst other things ways to help patients lead healthier lifestyles.

Subsequently patients have been recruited to other clinical research studies.

Ken Hargreaves, chairman of the patient council, said: "We are delighted with this award.

"It represents our work over the past eight years since the patient council began, but particularly the progress we have made setting-up the Patient Participation Group Network.

"Hopefully this honour will set a precedent for other groups and practices by showcasing some of the good work that is already taking place."