A Beginner s Guide to the NIHR/ UKCRN Specialty Group for Reproductive Health and Childbirth Professor Billie Hunter Swansea University
UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) The UKCRN comprises of managed Clinical Research Networks covering Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England (NIHR) The aim of the networks 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 benefit from, clinical research in all areas of disease and healthcare In Wales: NISCHR National Institute for Social Care and Health Research. Director: Prof Keith Lloyd
Objectives Increase the number of participants involved in research Increase the proportion of studies delivering to time and target (commercial and non-commercial) Increase the percentage of industry contract studies delivered through the NIHR CRN Reduce time taken to achieve NHS permissions Reduce the time taken to recruit first participant into NIHR CRN Portfolio studies Increase the percentage of NHS Trusts participating in NIHR Portfolio studies
25 Comprehensive Local Research Networks
The Comprehensive Clinical Research Networks CLRNS For studies adopted onto the Portfolio, CLRNS (including NISCHR) provide: Access to experienced Research Management and Governance staff Access to a local network of dedicated skilled research support staff (e.g. research nurses) Support to ensure that studies can be successfully undertaken in the NHS Local and national networking opportunities Access to free training opportunities
National Specialty Groups 26 UK wide Specialty Groups now established UK-wide: includes Chairs and members from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Local Leads nominated by CLRNs Remit: to ensure - successful recruitment to UKCRN portfolio studies - successful delivery of UKCRN portfolio studies on time
Why Specialty Groups were set up To harness the enthusiasm of clinical researchers for their specialty To create networking opportunities focussed on specific topic areas To provide advice on whether a potential study will be supported by the clinical community and doable within the NHS To provide input into adoption committees (for studies which are not automatically eligible for the Portfolio)
Specialty Groups Age & Ageing Anaesthetics Cardiovascular Clinical Genetics Critical Care Dermatology ENT Gastroenterology Health Services Research Hepatology Immunology & Inflammation Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Injuries & Accidents Metabolic & Endocrine Musculoskeletal Nervous System Disorders Non-Malignant Haematology Ophthalmology Oral & Dental Paediatrics Public Health Renal Reproductive Health & Childbirth Respiratory Surgery Urogenital
Making a difference Taking an oversight of the research portfolio within the specialty Helping to ensure studies DELIVER to target Feasibility assessments Addressing national and local barriers Developing an infrastructure to support studies in the specialty Identifying new recruitment sites to boost recruitment into multicentre studies Provide contact for groups who are DEVELOPING studies (e.g. Clinical Studies Groups)
Reproductive Health and Childbirth Specialty Group Chair: Prof Andrew Shennan, Kings College London Meet face-to-face three times/year Plus Adoption Committees Majority of work conducted remotely 4 th largest Specialty Group in terms of numbers of studies open or in set up Currently has 136 studies on portfolio
Number of Studies Specialty Groups (1) Number of Studies Open and In Set-Up 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Cardiovascular Musculoskeletal Respiratory Reproductive Health & Childbirth Nervous system disorders Infectious diseases and microbiology Immunology and inflammation Paediatrics (non medicines) Gastrointestinal Health Services Research Ophthalmology Metabolic & Endocrine (not diabetes) Dermatology Renal Genetics Critical Care Public Health Research Specialty Group Injuries & Emergencies Age and ageing Ear, nose & throat Hepatology Surgery Non-malignant haematology Urogenital Anaesthetics Peri-Operative Medicine and Pain Oral & Dental Aug-09 Aug-10
In Wales 4 studies led by Wales (Cardiff University) - Healthy eating and lifestyle study (HELP) - Building Blocks ( Evaluation of Family Nurse Partnership) - Welsh Study of Mothers and Babies (WOMBs) - Aetiology of gastroschisis Other UK studies have sites in Wales e.g. OPPTIMUM. Barriers: - No funding for patient participation - Some funding streams not open to Welsh research teams
My role Represent Wales in relation to Reproductive Heath and Childbirth research Overview of UK research portfolio Help ensure that studies deliver to target by Assessing feasibility Addressing barriers to recruitment Identifying new sites to boost recruitment Directing researchers to sources of support e.g. Kathy Malinovszky, Research Network Manager for South West Wales Act as a contact for researchers developing studies
Useful contacts b.j.hunter@swan.ac.uk K.M.Malinovszky@swansea.ac.uk National Institute for Social Care & Health Research Clinical Research Centre (NISCHR CRC ) http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/home.cfm?orgid=5 80