London (South) Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN): Local Induction

London (South) Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN): Local Induction

Why engage in research? For many health professionals, clinical research offers a career path that is both intellectually challenging, and highly rewarding. Developing or delivering a well-designed clinical study can not only generate vital new knowledge, it can also have surprisingly widespread benefi ts for patients, both now and in the future. Studies suggest that patients who receive care in research-active institutions have better health outcomes than patients who are treated in a non-research environment, so by joining the research community you are actively helping to drive up the standard of healthcare for your patients. By investigating the cause and course of diseases and how best to treat them, you are also helping to establish what works, and building the body of evidence that can lead to a positive change in future care. The Importance of Research within the NHS Today s standard therapy was yesterday s research GCP Facilitator s Training Programme 2011 The Department of Health s strategy to improve the health of the nation continues to place research at the forefront of the NHS. The recent White Paper Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS (DH 2010) highlights research in terms of quality, transparency and value for money, with the aim of achieving health outcomes as good as anywhere else in the world. It aims to deliver quality care from evidence based practice which is thoroughly researched. The NHS has a constant challenge to provide a service that is up to date and effi cient. Health research plays a key role in this service by using the evidence from studies to support health strategies and changes in medical practice. The NHS now has a thriving research culture that promotes fairness of access across England for patients and health professionals to take part in multi-centre studies. As a member of a clinical research team you will play a key role in contributing to this research culture through clinical trials and/or health related research, therefore continually improving the quality and choices available for patients and healthcare as a whole. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Clinical Research Network (CCRN) was created in 2006 as part of the government s research and development strategy to establish the NHS as an internationally recognised centre of research excellence, by supporting outstanding individuals, working in world-class facilities and conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public. The NIHR makes it possible for all patients and health professionals across England to participate in clinical trials in all areas of disease and clinical need within the NHS. Its vision, mission and goals are outlined overleaf.

The National Institute for Health Research The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) provides the frmaework through which the department of Health can position, maintain and manage the research, research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England as a national research facility. Vision To improve the health and wealth of the nation through research Mission To maintain a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge research, focused on the needs of patients and the public Goals Establish the NHS as an internationally recognised centre of research excellence. Attract, develop and retain the best research professionals to conduct people-based research. Commision research focused on improving health and social care. Strengthen and streamline systems for research management and governance. The health research system of the NHS and the NIHR key work strands

In England, the Department of Health has determined that research studies (clinical trials and other well designed studies which involve the NHS) that are funded by NIHR, other areas of Government and NIHR non-commercial Partners are automatically eligible to be included in a database called the NIHR CRN Portfolio (National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Portfolio). In addition, other studies, such as those that are commercially sponsored or those with industry funding that are led by a local investigator, may be considered for inclusion in the NIHR CRN Portfolio by undergoing an adoption process. NIHR Portfolio studies have access to infrastructure support and funding for service support costs via the NIHR. NIHR Infrastructure Topic Specifi c Clinical Research Networks (TCRNs) co-ordinate NIHR portfolio trials for specifi c conditions: Cancer: National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRON ) Diabetes: Diabetes Research Network (DRN) Medicines for Children : Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) Mental Health: Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) Primary Care: Primary Care Research Network ( PCRN ) Stroke: Stroke Research Network (SRN) In addition to these topic specifi c research networks, the Comprehensive Clinical Research Network (CCRN), comprising 25 Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRNs), makes it possible for all patients and health professionals across England to participate in clinical trials in all other areas of disease and clinical need within the NHS (see below). Structure of the NIHR Clinical Research Network

What does the CLRN do? The CLRN is the primary vehicle for providing infrastructure to support NIHR portfolio study involvement. NHS staff are encouraged to participate in a range of high quality clinical studies; this is achieved by liaising with lead clinicians in each speciality, providing support for research management & governance (including management of the NHS permissions process through NIHR CSP), providing funding to maintain sustainable infrastructure (research personnel / facilities) to promote patient recruitment, and facilitating training to promote high quality recruitment to time and target. Each CLRN is led by a Clinical Director, supported by an Executive Group and a Senior Manager. A larger Network Board, which includes representation from all the member organisations, has oversight of the activities of the CLRN to ensure that the interests and priorities of the constituent organisations are carefully considered and that they inform its activities. There is also advice and support regarding Research Management and Governance (RM&G) is provided by the CCRN. Local RM&G contact details are included on our CLRN web pages (page 28), as part of their role they manage the Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permission (CSP) and the Research Passport scheme across London (South) CLRN member organisations. The aim of the CLRNs is to widen participation in research and ensure that patients and healthcare professionals from all parts of the country are able to participate in, and benefi t from clinical research in all areas of disease and healthcare. In order for clinical research to be meaningful, researchers need to be able to complete their study within an acceptable timescale. They also need to be able to meet recruitment targets - the number of patients or other participants required to make the study feasible. These factors are important for all researchers, but particularly so for researchers working on commercial life-sciences studies, given that the UK must compete with other countries to host studies that could benefi t NHS patients. Many factors can affect a researcher s ability to deliver a study effectively - and not all of them are within the control of the Clinical Research Network. However, there are a number of areas which we directly affect or infl uence, which can improve a researcher s ability to deliver a clinical study to time and target. These include: Introducing effective systems to reduce the length of time it takes for a study to receive NHS permission to start Putting a broad-based infrastructure in place, so that researchers have access to the facilities and research support personnel they need to carry out the study activities Being able to direct researchers towards local patient populations and research capacity, so that participant targets can be achieved The Clinical Research Network measures its effectiveness against a set of high level objectives. In broad terms, these objectives include: Increasing the proportion of Portfolio studies that deliver in line with the study s planned delivery time and patient recruitment targets Doubling the number of participants recruited into studies on our Portfolio Reducing the time it takes to get NHS permission for a study to start Reducing the length of time it takes to recruit the fi rst participant onto Portfolio studies Increasing the number of life-sciences studies on our Portfolio Increase the percentage of NHS Trusts that are involved in delivering our Portfolio Performances are looked at on a quarterly basis. See: http://slondon.crncc.nihr.ac.uk

Introduction to CLRN London South Your local network is the Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN) London (South) which operates as one of the 25 Comprehensive Local Clinical Research Networks throughout England. The structure and organisation of each CLRN varies according to the demographic make-up of the local population and the nature of the health services within. The CLRN has a geographical area covering south London. The network is comprised of NHS Trusts and Higher Education Institutions in these areas and delivers research in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. CLRN London (South) constituent NHS organisations: Bexley Care Trust NHS Bromley (PCT) NHS Croydon (PCT) Croydon Health Services NHS Trust (Formerly Mayday NHS Trust) Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust NHS Greenwich (PCT) Guy s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust King s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Kingston Hospital NHS Trust NHS Kingston (PCT) NHS Lambeth (PCT) NHS Lewisham (PCT) Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust NHS Richmond (PCT) Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust South London Healthcare NHS Trust South West London and St George s Mental Health NHS Trust NHS Southwark (PCT) St George s Healthcare NHS Trust NHS Sutton and Merton (PCT) The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust NHS Wandsworth (PCT) Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) within our network area: Goldsmiths College King s College London Kingston University London South Bank University Roehampton University St George s University of London University of the Arts London University of Greenwich

The London (South) CLRN is hosted by Guy s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust (GSTTFT) and encompasses twenty six organisations from Epsom in the south west to inner city Lambeth in the south east, providing care for over 2.7 million people. The population served in south London has a high prevalence of chronic disease with a substantial ethnic minority component and some of the highest levels of socioeconomic deprivation in Europe. This provides a unique opportunity to research the effect of inequalities, ethnicity and inner city living in relation to healthcare. Due to these unique factors south London has developed world renowned research in several fi elds. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research forms the largest Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Europe, which along with two Topic Specifi c Cancer Networks, an NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and two further MRC/DH Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres forms one of the highest accruing cancer research networks in the country. The area also contains world renowned Mental Health Research at The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust & The Institute of Psychiatry, part of King s College London. King s College London co-host the UK Mental Health Research Network Co-ordinating Centre and are home to the largest Dental Institute in the world (5*) and The St John s Institute of Dermatology (KCL/GSTFT), which is the leading research unit in skin diseases in the UK and has links with an extensive network of hospitals. All of these factors combine to ensure that south London is a research rich sector with internationally recognised NHS organisations and Universities, with a growing portfolio of research. The network areas also contains a large range of externally awarded research centres including three of the twelve national Biomedical Research Centres,, three World Heath Organisation Collaborating Centres, seven MRC Research Council centres and a range of Government centres including the National Nursing Research Unit.

London (South) is also home to King s Health Partners which is one of fi ve of the UK s fi rst of the accredited Academic Health Sciences Centres (AHSCs), the partners of which are King s College London, Guy s & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, King s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. This signifi cant achievement further enhances south London s reputation as a centre of excellence for clinical research. It is this unique range of factors and signifi cant achievements which enhances south London s reputation as a centre of excellence for clinical research and makes working with the London (South) CLRN such an exciting and rewarding opportunity. The London (South) CLRN comprises of a core team, and is based at the Guy s Tower Wing, 16th Floor Biomedical Research Centre, Guy s & St. Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London. With the opportunity of embedding research into south London, the CLRN aim of to make a real difference in our region; some of these aims are: Promoting research in/to organisations in south London that are not research active Help to deliver more rapid introduction of better treatments, diagnostics, devices and care across the region To generate additional investment by industry wealth as well as health Sharing of best practice across the network to support excellence in clinical care To create and promote the best research professionals conducting high quality, people-based research across south London. To provide and promise a guarantee that our research professionals always ensure that whilst carrying out their duty of care, all research participants are safe and their rights and well-being is protected at all times. To promote excellent Good Clinical Practice (GCP) across the network and within the NHS Trusts.

London (South) CLRN Organisational Chart (March 2012)

Contact the London (South) CLRN Team Senior Manager & Directors Ann-Marie Murtagh Senior Manager E:Annmarie.murtagh@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 7188 x52295 Professor Stephen Devereux CLRN Clinical Director E: stephen.devereux@nhs.net Dr David Goldsmith CLRN Clinical Director E: David.Goldsmith@gstt.nhs.uk Professor Gill Rowlands CLRN Clinical Director E: g.rowlands@nhs.net Research Management & Governance (RM&G) Clare Gillott CLRN Lead RM&G Manager E:clare.gillott@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 7188 x51221 Alex Seroge Ignatian CSP Administrator E: alex.ignatian@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 7188 x51586 Luke Chaplin CLRN RM&G Offi cer E: luke.chaplin@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 7188 x51223 Information & Communications Lorenzo Paci Information Manager E: lorenzo.paci@nhs.net T: 020 7188 7188 7188 x51821 Kami Paulson Senior Communications Offi cer E: kami.paulson@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 7604 Local Specialty Groups & Industry Elizabeth Sullivan CLRN Industry Manager E: elizabeth.sullivan@kcl.ac.uk T: 020 7188 0494 Sidra Tulmuntaha Specialty Group Facilitator (Maternity cover) E: sidra.tulmuntaha@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 7188 x51446 Raleen Fernandes Specialty Group Facilitator E: raleen.fernandes@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 7188 x51446 Research Nursing & Support Emma Saunders Lead Clinical Research Nurse (DENDRON) E: emma.saunders@gstt.nhs.uk T: 0207188 9761 Thomas Walters Clinical Research Nurse E: thomas.walters@gstt.nhs.uk T: 0207188 9761 Joanna Peel Clinical Research Facilitator E: joanna.peel@gstt.nhs.uk T: 0207188 9761 Natasha Muzengi Clincal Research Nurse E: natasha.muzengi@gstt.nhs.uk T: 0207188 9761 Administration & Training Ann-Marie Smith Offi ce Manager & PPI Lead E: annmarie.c.smith@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 0494 Janan Jeyapalan CLRN Administrator E: janan.jeyapalan@gstt.nhs.uk T: 020 7188 0494

Reading & Resources Comprehensive Clinical Research Network: http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/ccrn CLRN London South: http://slondon.crncc.nihr.ac.uk NIHR Clinical Research Network: http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio: http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/processes/portfolio Search the NIHR portfolio database: http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/processes/portfolio/p_ search Primary Care Research Network (PCRN): http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/pcrn NIHR Primary Care Research Network: http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/pcrn NIHR Stroke Research Network (SRN): http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/srn NIHR Mental Health Research Network (MHRN): http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/mhrn Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network: http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_ us/dendron Diabetes Research Network: http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/drn National Cancer Research Network: http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/about_us/ncrn Training Opportunities Annual Research Network Events (see individual network sites above for details) Comprehensive Local Research Network what s it all about? Do I want to do Industry Research? Funding for Research Service Supports Costs and the CLRN Recruitment to time & target - why it s so important? For information, course dates and details see our website: http://slondon.crncc.nihr.ac.uk