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The NIHR and the Chief Nursing Officer for England have announced the launch of a new Clinical Academic Training pathway for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (AHPs). The pathway will offer four levels of integrated training: Masters in Research or Masters in Clinical Research; Doctorate by Research; Clinical Lectureships; and Senior Academic Clinical Lectureships. Further details of the schemes can be found on the website.
IRAS contains a specific application form for voluntary ethical review of a research database. Organisations responsible for the management of research databases anywhere in the UK may apply for ethical review of their arrangements for collection, storage and use of data, including arrangements for release of anonymised or pseudonymised data to external researchers. NRES has now published interim guidance for NHS /HSC Research Ethics Committees on policy and procedures for review of database applications.
As part of the wider agenda to promote transparent ethical research and review, the National Research Ethics Service (NRES) is proposing to publish research summaries of applications to NHS Research Ethics Committees. Publication will also avoid duplication of research and help ensure that future studies aim to answer new questions and not repeat previous work. This autumn, research summaries will be published publicly for the first time on the NRES website. An open letter from Dr Janet Wisely, Director NRES, explains the implementation of this process. The process will only apply to applications submitted after 1 May 2008 (when the intention to publish was first included within the applicant declaration). Applicants will receive further notification of the intention to publish and will be able to raise any concerns regarding publication or timing of publication and provide feedback on the procedures. A series of events are taking place to disseminate information - see the NRES website events section.
The Procedure for the Investigation of Allegations of Misconduct in Research has been published by the UK Panel for Research Integrity in Health and Biomedical Sciences. The procedure provides researchers’ employers with standards for conducting investigations into misconduct that are thorough and fair to all parties. For a copy of the procedure and more information about the UK Panel, visit the website.
NHS Connecting for Health has launched a 12-week consultation to allow the public and healthcare professionals to have their say on the wider use of patient data. The results of the consultation will be used to shape how information held in the NHS Care Records Service is used other than for the purpose of providing direct care to patients. A series of workshops across England are also planned. Visit the website for details. Consultation closes 10 December
The latest newsletter is on the website
The UK-wide Modernising AHP Careers project started in 2005. The resulting competence-based career framework has now been published. The framework describes 8 job components (including research and development) at 9 different levels. For further information and links to documents visit the website
The Medical Schools Council has launched a new website advertising clinical academic vacancies and research opportunities in UK Medical Schools.
Three new NIHR Biomedical Research Units have been announced, one of which is a partnership between Nottingham University Hospitals and The University of Nottingham to investigate Gastrointestinal (including Liver) Disease. The focus is on ‘translational research’ that will take advances in basic medical research out of the laboratory and into the hospital clinic. This brings the total number of Biomedical research Units to 15. A full list can be found on the NIHR website
· Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Comprehensive Local Research Network (LNR CLRN) have published their first Newsletter and presentations from the launch conference are also available on the website · Trent CLRN has posted a new presentation on accruals from a recent update meeting: Follow the links from ‘Latest News and Events’ section · South Yorkshire CLRN website
The report from the Prime Ministerial review on Data sharing has been published. The review was undertaken by Richard Thomas, The Information Commissioner and Dr Mark Walport, the Director of the Wellcome Trust. Visit the recommendations 15-17 on Page 5 which are relevant to research
The draft NHS Constitution now records in one place what the NHS does, what it stands for and what it should live up to. It sets out principles to guide how all parts of the NHS should act and make decisions. The Constitution includes pledges about access to information and informed choice. The Handbook to the draft NHS Constitution explains on page 24 how these pledges will apply to research. It says: ‘Research is a core part of the NHS because it enables the NHS to improve the current and future health of the population. Therefore, the NHS will do all it can to give patients, from every part of England, with any illness or disease, a right to know about research that is of particular relevance to them and, if they choose, to take part in approved medical research that is appropriate for them. Patients can therefore expect that a health professional or a research professional who owes the same duty of confidentiality as a health professional may use care records, in confidence, to identify whether they are suitable to participate in approved clinical trials. Appropriate patients will be notified of opportunities to join in, and will be free to choose whether they wish to do so, after a full explanation.’ Further information can also be found on the NIHR website
All NIHR best Research for Best Health Implementation have been reviewed and updated and are available from the NIHR website Plan 4.1c describes the latest developments towards the implementation of the NIHR Coordinated System for Gaining NHS Permission (CSP) A revised overview ppt presentation is also available on the UKCRN website
The ‘consultation in use’ phase of IRAS has now been completed and the system seems to have been generally well received. Adjustments are currently being made based on the feedback received. The system is not yet mandatory but researchers are strongly urged to begin new applications on IRAS now. Visit the press release following the consultation in use phase of IRAS. The IRAS Brochure on the UKCRC website has been updated
A new Concordat to support the career development of researchers has been launched by Iain Pearson, the Minister for Science and Innovation. The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. This meets the principles of the European Charter and Code of Practice for the recruitment of researchers. For more information visit the website. The Department of Health is a signatory to the concordat.
New developments in health research funding are transforming the way research in the NHS is organised and carried out. The HTA programme is playing an important role in this - and looking to recruit professional members to support the expanding advisory panels and Clinical Trials Group and provide their expertise to the HTA programme. Help to meet the challenges of commissioning quality research into the effectiveness of different healthcare treatments and tests for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. As a member of an HTA advisory panel your role will be to decide which of the many research suggestions received through our programme of commissioned research, or clinical trials proposals received through our researcher-led programme, should be given priority. For further details visit the website Deadline for applications: 31 July.
The NIHR Central Commissioning Facility is looking for members of the public to help in reviewing research proposals. The CCF asks a range of 'experts' to provide written opinions about research proposals that have been submitted for funding. These may include: members of the public, clinicians, academics, health economists, policymakers, health professionals, researchers and statisticians. For further details visit the website Members of the public are paid for commenting on proposals in line with the Department of Health’s approved scale of fees. For more information about peer reviewing, further details can be found on the INVOLVE website
A new DVD and website resource launched by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Diabetes Research Network aims to encourage patients to get involved in diabetes research. The DVD, and the dedicated website which accompanies it, have been developed with patients in mind to highlight the importance of diabetes research. They focus on showing patients’ perspectives of what it’s really like to be involved in a clinical trial.
Slides from the conference presentations and workshop sessions are now available on the website
As part of its Translational Research Strategy, which aims to turn fundamental research discoveries into patient benefits, the Medical Research Council is launching a major new funding stream - the Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS). The scheme - which will not fund basic discoveries - will support the development of novel therapies, interventions and diagnostics, and the research tools used in the development of therapies, interventions or diagnostics. Projects should target significant and unmet health needs. Further details on the website .
UKCRN have published a leaflet which gives details about the development and implementation of NIHR CSP. It can be downloaded from the UKCRN website
Seven NIHR CLAHRCs are being established to undertake high-quality applied health research focused on the needs of patients and to support the translation of research evidence into practice in the NHS. CLAHRCs are collaborative partnerships between a university and the surrounding NHS organisations, focused on improving patient outcomes through the conduct and application of applied health research. They will create and embed approaches to research and its dissemination that are specifically designed to take account of the way that health care is increasingly delivered across sectors and a wide geographical area. For further details visit the website Details of the local initiatives:
Specialty Groups are being developed in 26 areas of disease/clinical need not covered by existing Topic Specific Research Networks, and across a number of cross cutting themes. Visit the website for details of the call for applications for Chairmanship of the Speciality Groups of the UKCRN / NIHR
NRES will begin publishing lay summaries of all research ethics applications submitted, together with a summary of the ethical opinion from the Research Ethics Committee. From 1 May 2008, lay summaries from all research ethics applications will be published on the NRES website no earlier than three months after the committee’s final opinion has been issued or the application is withdrawn. NRES plans to introduce publication of the summary ethical opinion later in 2008. This will not apply retrospectively to applications already concluded at this time. The declaration on the ethics form has been amended to include the intention to publish lay summaries and the ethics form has been revised to include provision of a lay summary. For details visit the website
Watch a short video on NHS Choices website about primary care research in the NHS and the role of the National School for Primary Care Research and the Primary Care Research Network.
The RCGP has launched a new self-accreditation level of Primary Care Research Team Assessment (PCRTA) known as ‘Research Ready’. This has been developed in conjunction with the UK Clinical Research Network and the newly established Primary Care Research Networks. Research Ready self-accreditation is a basic entry guideline to primary care research in England. It will signify a practices' up to date knowledge of the standards that are needed to undertake research and the physical facilities required to successfully comply with research demands based on the latest research governance frameworks. To view the guideline visit the website. RCGP is also working closely with the R&D Forum Primary & Social Care Working Group. A paper outlining practical uses for PCTs is available on the R&D Forum website
There are now 5 RfPB Programme Director’s messages on the website These provide useful feedback from previous rounds and guidance on patient and public involvement (PPI) and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). These alongside the FAQs page provide a useful resource for researchers considering applying to this funding stream.
The UKCRC has recently developed a three-year strategic plan which will provide the framework for its future patient and public involvement activities. A copy of the strategy and a brief background report can be downloaded from the UKCRC website The Collaboration has established a UKCRC Board Subgroup for Patient and Public Involvement that will oversee the delivery of the strategy. This group will be chaired by Sarah Buckland, Director of INVOLVE. An implementation plan for the forthcoming year will be agreed when the group first meets in June 2008. The plan will be made publicly available on the UKCRC’s website in due course. If you would like any more information about the work of the UKCRC and / or if you would like to contribute to it contact Philippa Yeeles, tel: 020 7670 5153
The NIHR Flexibility and Sustainability Funding allocations for 2008/09 have been announced. This is a new funding stream that will provide funding for some or all the research-related component of an NIHR Faculty member's salary where that component is not already provided by other research funding sources. For more information see the NIHR website
The first Senior Investigators of the NIHR Faculty have been announced. Visit the website for details
The new NIHR Biomedical Research Units have been announced. For details visit the website
UKCRN will be launching a new national costing process at the end of April. The process will give companies and the NHS a clear and consistent method for calculating the costs associated with running a commercial clinical study in the NHS. The process has been developed by the UK Clinical Research Network in close consultation with key stakeholders from industry, the NHS and the research community, including the NHS R&D Forum. It aims to tackle the problem of inconsistent costing of studies and to ensure that NHS Trusts are fully reimbursed for the services they provide. For more information see the UKCRN website
INVOLVE have recently commissioned two new projects, one is gathering examples of user and carer involvement in social care research and is being carried out by the University of Bristol. Another is gathering examples of user-controlled research and is being carried out by a collaboration of Shaping Our Lives, The Centre For Citizen Participation Brunel University and the Social Perspectives Network. Further information is available on the INVOLVE website. The researchers would like to hear from anyone involved in any relevant work.
The UKCRC Spring 2008 Update newsletter is now available on the website.
The results of the NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research second competition have been announced. For details see the website
The Health Services Research Network (HSRN) aims to connect all universities, commercial and professional organisations, charities and NHS bodies with an interest in HSR. It defines health services research as all research that underpins improvements in the way health services are financed, organised, planned and delivered, and includes health technology assessments and health policy research. The HSRN is supported by the National Institute of Health Research, the Health Foundation and the Nuffield Trust. For further information visit the website.
In response to recent publicity about public registration of research, NRES is leading a collaborative project to reconcile the Research Ethics Database (RED), with the two public clinical trial registers (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register and ClinicalTrials.gov). For more information visit the website
National Institute for Health (NIFH) Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) Research for Patient Benefit Programme Director's messages - feedback on Competition One Director's message 1 - Feedback from Competition One. From the experience of the first competition, the director of the programme provides feedback on process and the most frequently cited reasons why applications were rejected. Director's message 2 - What makes a successful application? The director provides comments following the completion of competition one. Regional Funding Committees (RFC) held their first meeting and found that they were recommending fewer proposals than they had hoped mainly because of incomplete applications. Since Committee members and Chairs are not in a position to ask for a resubmission or to become involved with negotiations about whether requirements have or have not been met the feedback in this document is particularly useful in showing what gives applicants a better chance of success. Director's message 3 - Projects funded in Competition One. The director provides comments about the range of projects funded during the first competition. Director's message 4 - Patient and public involvement in the programme. Produced in conjunction with the Patient and Public Involvement members of one of our committees as a result of their experiences. They have identified some of the common issues and misunderstanding relevant to PPI. Visit the website
This guidance does not cover R&D partnerships but may provide useful background information on industry partnership and DH thinking and also has importance generally for primary care. The aim of the guidance is to: * encourage NHS organisations and staff to work together to deliver high-quality healthcare; and * inform and advise NHS staff of their main responsibilities when working together with the pharmaceutical industry. The guidance can be downloaded from the website.
The LNR CLRN has now begun to establish itself, with Core staff in post. The current staff complement comprises: Elizabeth Kettle, Senior Manager Roz Sorrie, Lead RM&G Manager Rachel Starkey Administrator Paul Maslowski will join the team from late February as Information Manager. An office has now been set up and the team can be found within the Marriott Ward on Level 2 of the Victoria Building at Leicester Royal Infirmary. To date the Network has begun to engage with all relevant member Trusts and TCRNs/PCRNs within the region, and is starting to work with organisations to discuss future funding and governance arrangements. The LNR CLRN Board has been created with full representation and has now met on three occasions. An Executive Group has also formed to discuss operational matters and take forward key work for the Network. Further information relating got the LNR CLRN can be found via: http://www.ukcrn.org.uk/index/networks/comprehensive/clrns/leics.html General enquiries should initially be directed to Rachel Starkey - 0116 258 6185, rachel.starkey@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Microsoft has an Enterprise Agreement with the English NHS that is designed to make it easier for trusts to buy its software. As part of the deal, it is running a £50 million Common User Interface programme. This is a series of projects that are looking for ways to make it easier for trusts to roll out technology and to make it easier for NHS staff to use. One of the projects is NHS Medical Search, which has developed a set of electronic tools to bring the National Library for Health and other online resources onto computer desktops and into applications like Microsoft Word that staff already use. For further details visit the website
Guidelines for people who want approval for a multi site social services research project From the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) Research Group. Published on the ADASS website .
The PCRN - East Midlands & South Yorkshire now has a website
This is the first report on feedback received from the users (applicants) of the NRES. It covers the period from the end of April to the end of November 2007 Overall the feedback was very positive although it was clear that for inexperienced researchers, the application process and attending REC meetings is daunting. The report is based on 42 sets of on-line feedback and 30 feedback forms sent out by the RECs which represents a small number compared with the overall number of applicants. Visit the report on the NRES website .
The DH commissioned a review of the impact of Best Research for Best Health on mental health services in England in response to concerns that the health research reforms will remove core funding for mental health research units and replace it with targeted funding for research projects and programmes. Critics believe that this will undermine the strength of UK mental health research and suggest that mental health research units previously funded through the NHS will disappear because their core costs cannot be covered. The Department has published a response to the recommendations made in the review, 'The impact of the NHS R&D Strategy on Mental Health Services and Research in England', this response is available on the website.
Government responds to independent review of modernising medical careers - Revised Version The Department of Health has published its formal response to Sir John Tooke's independent review of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC). The review was commissioned by the Former Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt in April last year in response to difficulties with specialty training recruitment in 2007.The report included 47 individual recommendations and the Department's response has considered how best to move forward on these.
PIAG have published their response to the review of sharing personal information in the public and private sectors led by the Department of Justice. The response provides a clear, detailed explanation of the legal and ethical issues relating to personal information.
NRES has produced the first report on feedback received from applicants on their experiences with the Research Ethics Committees (RECs).
The European Commission has published recommendations on various ethical aspects of clinical trials performed in children. These recommendations are published in Eudralex Volume 10 Clinical trials (Chapter V: Additional Information).
The NHS R&D Forum has provided training to UKCRN staff on Human Resources: Good Practice for Researchers in the NHS to enable the networks to introduce streamlined arrangements for issuing Honorary Research Contracts and NHS-to-NHS working. Copies of the presentations from the event are available.
The Tooke report warns that an "unhelpful" division exists between medical graduates who pursue academic research careers and those that follow a clinical training path. It states that research experience is essential for all doctors and recommends that trainee doctors should be encouraged to move between the two fields more freely.
The Universities UK report, which examines the funding arrangements and future prospects for universities in a changing health research climate, found: * UK HE faces increased competition in the global market for health research * The development of research institutes in other countries, including India and China, could offer cheaper options for research, especially for drug trials * Continuing NHS bureaucracy may deter research in the UK * There is a lack of continuity in health research due to differences in research funding mechanisms among research councils, research charities and the NHS.
This has launched a new section which is designed to give patients and members of the public more information about how to get involved in clinical trials.
The RRSC will record social care research that has been subject to independent ethical and scientific review. This will include ongoing and completed research, and research carried out by students and practitioners. It can be searched to obtain summary details of the individual studies and links to further information about them. Visit the website.
This report outlines the recommendations of the Planning Group on Ethics Review in Social Care Research set up by the Department of Health. There is also a response to the report published by the DH. The aim of the Planning Group was to make recommendations for a comprehensive system of social care ethics review, following the formal Public Consultation in 2005.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portal is an internet-based service for all NIHR or Department of Health Policy Research Programme (PRP) funded organisations and health research professionals. The portal is accessible through any web browser such as Internet Explorer. It provides secure intranet capabilities and collaborative working tools for the health research community such as document repositories, calendars, forums, news feeds and online workspaces.
RDInfo has published an updated version of their research process flowchart and guidance - very useful for new researchers There is also a new section on the website for researchers in social care with links to: o Research in Social care flow chart and guidelines o Funding opportunities o Postgraduate training o Other events - short courses, workshops and seminars
NIHR has published a progress report, which summarises all the progress that has been made putting in place the infrastructure, programmes and systems to facilitate health research since the government launched the Best Research for Best Health strategy in January 2006.
A partnership of funders which came together under the umbrella of UKCRC (UK Clinical Research Collaboration) has made a £20m investment to establish five Centres of Excellence across the UK to strengthen research into complex public health issues such as obesity, smoking and health inequalities. The successful Centres, which were awarded funding via a competitive process, are based in Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Cambridge and Nottingham. Each will receive up to £5m over 5 years to create new academic posts and develop strong training and career development programmes. The funding partners were: the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Economic and Social Research Council, Health and Social Care Research & Development Office for Northern Ireland, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, Wales Office of Research and Development - Welsh Assembly Government, and the Wellcome Trust.
The definitive information resource describing the UK infrastructure for experimental medicine. This site has been developed by the UK Clinical Research Network on behalf of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, and is aimed at Investigators (basic science, experimental medicine and clinical) Clinical Research Networks and industry. Site services: Resource Finder for information about experimental medicine resources in the UK Regulation page to find information about the regulatory requirements for experimental medicine News & Events page for news and events relating to experimental medicine About Us pages for information about why, how and who has developed this resource and FAQs Visit the site
The Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) will be launched on 29 January 2008. For updated information visit the IRAS section of the RD forum website.
As part of its plans to enhance interdisciplinary and applied research, the MRC is to disband its Public Health Research Board and establish a new strategy board to oversee four grant-awarding research boards. New "thematic overview groups" will be set up to cover translational research, global health, population sciences and training and careers. Further details on the website
The National Research Register has now closed down. Existing data on the NRR can now be accessed from the NIHR portal at but no new data will be added to the NRR. New arrangements for registering studies are being put in place in each of the UK nations.
Progress Report January 2008 An update on the development of NIHR Information Systems has been published on the NIHR website. It provides updates on the NIHR Portal, the R&D Management Information System, and systems to support the NIHR Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permission, Biomedical Research Centres, and NIHR Faculty. Visit the NIHR website.
UKCRN has published information on the coordinated system it is developing for handling NHS permission for research in England from April 2008. The system will integrate with other developments to simplify applying for NHS permission (R&D approval). Key features include: a single point for applications to all NHS organisations, coordination and standardisation of the review of applications by CLRN-funded R&D staff in NHS organisations, coordination of provision of permission from all the relevant NHS organisations for a study. For details visit the website
A 10 year vision for the delivery of world class stroke services, from prevention through to life long support. The strategy presents 20 Quality Markers outlining the features of a good service. QM20 covers research and audit: all trusts participate in quality research and audit, and make evidence for practice available. The National Library for Health has launched Specialist Stroke Library to coincide with the publication of the National Strategy for Stroke. This will to provide high quality, evidence-based information on all of aspects of Stroke.
NIHR comments on outline proposals from the current second round of bids can be found on the website.
* Clinical Trials Unit Registration Process Forty Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) across the UK have successfully gone through a new UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit Registration Process. To be eligible to apply, CTUs had to be capable of centrally coordinating multi-centre clinical trials and other well-designed studies, taking overall responsibility for the design, conduct, data management, publicity and analysis of a trial. For details see the website, 26 CTUs were awarded Full Registration and 14 new and evolving CTUs were awarded Provisional Registration. Across the Trent RDSU patch: Full Registration: * Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) (University of Leicester) Provisional Registration: * Nottingham Clinical Trials Support Unit (University of Nottingham) * Sheffield Clinical Trials Research Unit (University of Sheffield) * Eligibility for inclusion of studies in the NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio (revised November 2007). This paper sets out the criteria governing the eligibility of studies for inclusion in the NIHR CRN Portfolio. It is important to note that only studies accepted into the Portfolio will have automatic access to Service Support Costs via the Comprehensive Research Networks.
The latest UKCRC Newsletter (Autumn 2007) is now on the website
Keep up with all the closing dates by downloading the calendar for NIHR schemes. |
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