NATIONAL SPECIALTY GROUP: TERMS OF REFERENCE

Transcription

1 NATIONAL SPECIALTY GROUP: TERMS OF REFERENCE Context The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) portfolio is broken down into 30 Specialties and a National Specialty Lead has been appointed for each of these; in some Specialties (eg Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease) more than one National Specialty Lead has been appointed to cover different clinical areas. At the national level, the 30 specialties are organised into six Clusters (Appendix 1), each of which are led by a Specialty Cluster Lead to whom the National Specialty Leads are responsible. The role of each National Specialty Lead includes providing leadership of the Specialty at a national level, having oversight of the Specialty portfolio, acting as ambassadors of the NIHR-CRN and engaging with external stakeholders and customers to further the aims of the NIHR- CRN. Further details of this role are provided here. At the local level, each of the 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) is led by a Clinical Director and a Chief Operating Officer. Again, delivery of the CRN portfolio is achieved through the 30 Specialties, here organised into six Divisions (Appendix 2), each of which is either managed by a Divisional Clinical Lead (and/or an LCRN Clinical Director) in conjunction with a Research Delivery Manager. LCRNs also appoint local Clinical Research Specialty Leads for most, if not all, of the 30 Specialties (and in some cases for additional subspecialties, eg cancer sites). The LCRN Clinical Research Specialty Leads work with the relevant Divisional Clinical Leads (and/or LCRN Clinical Directors) to develop local communities of practice, engage with clinical researchers working in their specialty across the LCRN to promote the delivery of the local research portfolio, improve patient access to research, and act as local champions for their specialty. The CRN s clinical specialty leadership and communities of practice are able to support the successful delivery of NIHR-CRN portfolio studies through effective input at key points throughout the life cycle of a research project from early contact and engagement with researchers through to the resolution of recruitment issues and barriers identified during study performance monitoring. The role of clinical specialty experts in supporting study delivery across the research delivery pathway is set out in the CRN s Study Support Service guidance. Working as a single team providing a collaborative approach to both national and local leadership is essential to maximising the impact of the national CRN. Such interactions therefore need to be fostered and supported and will evolve over time. Bringing together the LCRN Clinical Research Specialty Leads at National Specialty Group meetings led by the National Specialty Lead is one important way in which clinical leadership of the network can add value.

2 Role of the Group The role of the National Specialty Groups is to create national communities of practice which provide the specialist knowledge essential for the success of the CRN. National Specialty Groups provide one of the key vehicles through which engagement with stakeholders can be coordinated and maximised as the performance of the CRN continues to improve. LCRN Clinical Research Specialty leads are expected to attend and and input into National Specialty Group meetings. National Specialty Groups work in collaboration with the CRN leadership adding value by coordinating and overseeing each Specialty s activities at a national level, providing a national forum to share good practice, successes, opportunities and challenges and to influence and shape the clinical research environment to ensure that the CRN remains at the forefront of clinical research internationally. Membership Chair National Specialty Lead NIHR CRN Members/Attendees Local Clinical Research Specialty Leads from each of the 15 LCRNs and the equivalent from the Devolved Nations. Representation from the NIHR CRN Coordinating Centre the relevant Specialty Cluster Office (Assistant Specialty Cluster Lead and/or Manager) will be the major interface with the Group and source of support. Input/support will be provided from across the CRN Coordinating Centre s Directorates, notably Research Delivery, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications, Business Development and Marketing, Information and Knowledge, Workforce, Learning and Organisational Development. Multidisciplinary and multiprofessional representation on the Group is encouraged as well as comprehensive coverage of the sub-specialties which make up the specialty. Other members may be co-opted to the Group where there is a need to provide specific expertise which is not covered by the membership. A strong interface between the Specialty Group and research development activities (eg through Clinical Studies Groups supported by other stakeholders) is encouraged through cross representation. Representatives from major specialty-specific stakeholders (eg funders, learned/professional societies, Royal Colleges) may be invited to be members of the Group. A trainee representative or a member who takes responsibility for linking with trainees and wider workforce development aspects. A patient representative or a member of the NSG who takes on the responsibility for ensuring Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) input into the Group. A member of group who is allocated specific responsibility for industry interaction and who will ensure that the Specialty Group maximises industry engagement and

3 performance, linking into the Business Development and Marketing Directorate to coordinate the promotion of the Specialty and to develop links to targeted companies or novel compounds/technologies. Other people may be invited to attend Specialty Group meetings to provide specific input, eg LCRN Research Delivery Managers. Terms of Reference Specialty Stakeholder Engagement 1. To proactively engage with industry to maximise the specialty s commercial portfolio and promote life sciences investment in the UK in association with the Business Development and Marketing Directorate and Research Delivery Directorate. 2. To proactively engage with specialty-specific stakeholders (eg funders, Royal Colleges, learned and professional societies) for mutual benefit, undertaking joint initiatives to develop research capacity and the successful delivery of research in the NHS in association with the Business Development and Marketing Directorate. 3. To work with specialty-specific patient groups and take a proactive nationally-coordinated approach to promoting PPIE in the NSG s work and the specialty s research portfolio in association with the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Directorate. CRN and Specialty Objectives 1. To set national specialty-specific objectives, monitor progress with achieving these and take steps to address any underperformance. 2. To take oversight of the performance of the specialty s research portfolio and the contribution to the CRN s High Level Objectives in association with the Research Delivery Directorate. 3. To take national oversight of the CRN infrastructure which supports the delivery of the specialty s research portfolio and the outputs of this investment, making recommendations as required. Delivery of the Portfolio 1. Working with the Research Delivery Directorate to provide clinical oversight of the specialty s portfolio and its performance, linking into performance monitoring activities which include identifying, sharing and addressing the challenges and barriers to the successful delivery of the specialty s portfolio and taking a national approach to promoting continued improvements in performance in the delivery of studies. 2. To provide clinical expertise and advice with regards to the feasibility and deliverability of studies and more generally as required by the CRN. Specifically this is provided through undertaking early feedback and contributing to National Study Delivery Assessments of the studies on the specialty s portfolio and the non-commercial adoption process. 3. To work with the Business Development and Marketing Directorate on horizon-scanning activities including emerging technologies and innovations which may impact on the composition of the specialty s portfolio and pose future delivery opportunities and challenges. 4. To work with the Business Development and Marketing Directorate to engage life science companies which are developing novel technologies to make them aware of the CRN offer and how we could support their research.

4 5. To work with the Business Development and Marketing Directorate to develop and maintain an up-to-date specialty profile. 6. To work with customers, stakeholders and the LCRNs to promote a balanced portfolio for the specialty at national and local levels, in accordance with the needs of the patient populations. 7. To interface with portfolio development activities (eg Clinical Studies Groups, specialty funders) in order to monitor and influence the specialty s pipeline of research and plan future delivery needs. 8. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the clinical delivery and clinical research environments for the specialty and to positively influence these environments to promote the embedding of research into clinical practice for the specialty. 9. To contribute, in collaboration as required with other stakeholders, a national approach to the development of the specialty s workforce, identifying and addressing any training needs which are limiting the development of the specialty s national research capacity. Communications 1. To collect, celebrate, promote and disseminate the specialty s successes (eg successful study delivery of CRN-supported studies and their impact on clinical practice and patient benefit) and provide specialty-specific input for CRN-wide publications and activities. 2. To coordinate a national approach to promote knowledge about, and engagement with the NIHR-CRN through specialty-specific publications and presentations at national and international meetings and the use of other media (eg. internet, social media). 3. To share and promulgate good practice across the LCRNs with respect to the management and delivery of the specialty s portfolio and engagement activities. Line of Reporting The Group will report through the National Specialty Lead to the Specialty Cluster Lead. Meetings The Specialty Group will meet 3-4 times/year either face-to-face or via tele/video conference. Secretariat The relevant Specialty Cluster Office will be responsible for the provision of administrative support for the meetings. Expectations Expectations of National Specialty Group Group members will be expected to attend all meetings (minimum 3 out of 4). Deputies can attend under exceptional circumstances. Members have read and digested any Enabling Support Group meetings will be scheduled well in advance. Members will be issued with any associated

5 material that has been sent to them in advance of each meeting. Members with actions to complete will be expected to undertake the action and report action status back to next meeting so that Action Log can be updated. All members of the Group will be expected to engage in national activities and leadership of the Group s initiatives will be shared amongst the membership. All members will take personal accountability to ensure understanding of overall CRN offering and ability to access to business resources and intelligence papers at least one week in advance of the meeting. Papers will be kept to a minimum and will be concise and succinct. The key decisions and actions arising from meetings will be documented in a Decision/Action Log maintained by Secretariat. The log will be distributed within one week of the meeting. Assignment of specific roles to members (eg. Deputy Chair, Industry Lead, Comms Lead, PPIE Lead) is encouraged. Key resources/business tools will be highlighted and accessible to group members. Support and guidance will be provided to ensure members can access and use these resources to support them in delivering their role. Appendix 1- NIHR CRN Specialties and Specialty Clusters University Partner Imperial College London King s College London Specialties Cardiovascular disease; Diabetes; Metabolic and Endocrine disorders; Renal disorders; Stroke. Respiratory Disorders; Ear, Nose and Throat; Gastroenterology; Hepatology; Infection. Anaesthesia, Peri-operative Medicine and Pain Management; Critical Care; Dermatology; Health Services Research; Injuries and Emergencies; Primary Care; Public Health; Mental Health Specialty Cluster A B C University of Liverpool Children; Haematology; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Ophthalmology; Reproductive Health and Childbirth. D

6 Newcastle University Ageing; Dementias and Neurodegeneration (DeNDRoN); Genetics; Neurological Disorders. E University of Leeds Cancer; Oral and Dental Health; Surgery. F Appendix 2 - NIHR CRN Divisional Structure Division DIVISION 1 DIVISION 2 DIVISION 3 DIVISION 4 DIVISION 5 DIVISION 6 Specialty Cancer. Diabetes, Stroke, Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders, Renal Disorders. Children, Genetics, Haematology, Reproductive Health and Childbirth. Dementias and Neurodegeneration (DeNDRoN), Mental Health, Neurological Disorders. Primary Care, Ageing, Health Services Research, Oral and Dental Health, Public Health, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Dermatology. Anaesthesia Perioperative Medicine and Pain, Critical Care, Injuries and Emergencies, Surgery, ENT,Infection, Ophthalmology, Respiratory Disorders, Gastroenterology, Hepatology.