The latest podcast in the Health Research Futures series comes from Professor Julie Lovegrove. Professor Lovegrove is from the University of Reading and talks about the challenges of conducting nutritional research and overcoming them.
Tagged / NIHR
Informed Consent training opportunities
Before agreeing to participate in your study, your participants should receive all the information they require in order to make an informed decision. Once they wish to participate, then an informed consent form should be completed and filed appropriately.
Although the process sounds complex, there are currently a great training opportunities to help familiarise yourself with the background to, and process of informed consent in clinical research.
The Wessex Clinical Research Network are hosting the following training sessions at University Hospital Southampton and at Wessex CRN’s office –
- NIHR CRN Informed Consent training, Thursday 26th March, 08:45am – 1:00pm, CRN Wessex, Unit 7, Berrywood Business Village, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2UN;
- NIHR CRN Informed Consent training, Thursday 7th May, 8:30am – 12:30pm, University Hospital Southampton, Level C, West Wing, NIHR WTCRF, Southampton, SO16 6YD;
- NIHR CRN Informed Consent training, Thursday 7th May, 1:00pm – 5:00pm, University Hospital Southampton, Level C, West Wing, NIHR WTCRF, Southampton, SO16 6YD;
- NIHR CRN Informed Consent training, Friday 26th June, 08:45am – 1:00pm, CRN Wessex, Unit 7, Berrywood Business Village, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2UN
If you’re interested in attending, get in touch with the Wessex CRN to book your place.
Introduction to Good Clinical Practice – Tuesday 17th March at Dorset County Hospital
Are you interested in running your own research project within the NHS or healthcare? Good Clinical Practice, or ‘GCP’, is a requirement for those wishing to work on clinical research projects in a healthcare setting.
GCP is the international ethical, scientific and practical standard to which all clinical research is conducted. By undertaking GCP, you’re able to demonstrate the rights, safety and wellbeing of your research participants are protected, and that the data collected are reliable.
The next GCP full day session is scheduled for Tuesday 17th March, at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester – 8:45am – 4:30pm.
The day will comprise of the following sessions:
- Introduction to research and the GCP standards;
- Preparing to deliver your study;
- Identifying and recruiting participants – eligibility and informed consent;
- Data collection and ongoing study delivery;
- Safety reporting;
- Study closure.
If you’re interested in booking a place, please contact Research Ethics.
Remember that support is on offer at BU if you are thinking of introducing your research ideas into the NHS – email the Research Ethics mailbox, and take a look at the Clinical Governance blog.
NIHR Podcast on Dementia Research
The NIHR have recently released another of their podcasts in their Health Research Futures series, this time from Professor Martin Rosser.
Professor Rosser founded Join Dementia Research, a national system for linking patients and public to research studies. He is also the Director of the NIHR Clinical Research Network for Dementia and Neurodegenerative diseases.
In this podcast he discusses dementia research and its importance in the clinical research landscape.
The Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool (SoECAT)
SoECAT stands for the ‘Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool’ – either a SoECAT or a Schedule of Events (SoE) is required whenever you are conducting clinical research in the NHS or Social Care. Further information and clarification is provided below.
What is the purpose of the SoECAT?
- The SoECAT is a way of providing clarity to participating NHS organisations on the cost attributions associated with a study.
- The template is designed to support correct cost attribution at application for Research Cost funding, to ensure that full site level Research Costs are recovered.
When is a SoECAT required?
- A SoECAT is required by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and NIHR non-commercial partner research funders where the call relates to studies that may involve participants under an NHS or Health and Social Care duty of care.
- In some cases, your study may be funded by an NIHR infrastructure award which does not cover Excess Treatment Costs (ETCs) – in these cases, a SoECAT would be required in order to access the ETC process for England. Further information on ETCs can be found here.
- In cases where your study is not funded by the NIHR or a NIHR non-commercial partner, but you wish to make an application to the NIHR CRN Portfolio, you will need to complete a SoECAT.
How do I complete one?
- The NIHR have recently released new guidance on how to complete a SoECAT which can be found here.
When is it completed and where does the SoECAT go when it is completed?
- The SoECAT should be completed at the funding application stage.
- The form must be authorised by an AcoRD Specialist prior to submission for Research Cost funding.
- It should be submitted alongside your other supporting documents when applying through the IRAS system for NHS Ethics approval and/or Health Research Authority approval*.
- The SoECAT/SoE is then sent to your participating NHS/HSC organisations as part of the Local Information Pack at the site study set-up stage.
*Where there is no external funding attached to a project, the Schedule of Events should be used instead of a SoECAT.
Where can I get further support and guidance?
- Your research funder should have guidance you can follow if you are unsure about whether your application requires a SoECAT at the Research Cost funding application stage.
- Get in touch with Suzy Wignall, the Clinical Governance Advisor, or your Funding Development Officer.
- Further information about the SoECAT can be found here.
Remember – support and guidance is on offer at BU if you are thinking of conducting clinical research, whether in the NHS, private healthcare or social care – get in touch with Research Ethics. You can also take a look at the Clinical Governance blog for resources and updates.
RKEDF – Overview of NIHR, CRNs and NIHR portfolio
On Tuesday 11th February, Research Development & Support are running a 2 hour workshop to give an overview of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Clinical Research Networks and the NIHR ‘portfolio’.
This workshop is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of the NIHR’s portfolio of research studies to BU and NHS partners. It will also explore the role of the NIHR Clinical Research Networks (CRN), with an emphasis on the set-up and work of our local network, Wessex.
The workshop will cover the requirements to be eligible for the NIHR portfolio, how to apply so that your study may be considered for adoption, and how to access the support of the NIHR CRN.
By the end of this workshop you will have an understanding about:
- The work of the NIHR and layout of the CRNs
- How to apply for and the requirements for portfolio adoption
- The benefits of having a study on the NIHR portfolio
If you’re interested in attending then reserve your place via Organisational Development.
NIHR resources – Patient and Public Involvement and Social Media Toolkit
Two resources are now available on the NIHR Learn website for researchers –
- Patient and Public Involvement: Inspiring New Researchers – an online course developed by the Department of Health and NIHR. It is intended to help researchers to understand the benefits of good Patient and Public involvement into their research.
- Social Media Toolkit – a combination of practical resources on how to get started and real case studies from how colleagues across the NIHR Clinical Research Network are currently using social media to support their work.
To access the above resources you will need to have access to the NIHR Learn website. Once you have an account select the tab ‘Health Research Innovations’ and then click on ‘NIHR Endorsed Learning’. Both courses are free and do not require an enrolment key.
Remember – support and guidance is on offer at BU if you are thinking of conducting clinical research, whether in the NHS, private healthcare or social care – get in touch with Research Ethics. You can also take a look at the Clinical Governance blog for resources and updates.
Talk/session with the Wessex Clinical Research Network Study Support Service
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research – the NIHR oversee 15 Clinical Research Networks (CRN) and these CRNs work alongside NHS Trusts, primary care providers and Universities. Each CRN has a dedicated Study Support Service.
The NIHR have a portfolio of research studies that are eligible for consideration for support from the CRN in England. Portfolio status is usually vital to participating NHS Trusts when considering undertaking a proposed study.
Information on the NIHR portfolio is present on the research blog, but at this session our local CRN’s Study Support team will provide you with an opportunity to hear about and discuss the network and the service, and how it could benefit you.
This session is aimed at those planning on conducting clinical research.
It is also designed to raise awareness at BU about the benefits and importance of the NIHR portfolio, so if you’re just interested in learning more, please book on.
The session will take place next week on Tuesday 10th December at 2:30pm until 4:00pm on Lansdowne Campus.
To register your interest or if you have any queries, please get in touch with Research Ethics.
New UK Standards for Public Involvement
Involving the public in your study is important, especially at the research design stage. This is called ‘Public Involvement’ (also known as ‘PPI’ [Patient and Public Involvement]). Public involvement in research means research that is done ‘with’ or ‘by’ the public, not ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them.
By seeking the opinions and recommendations of the public, it is a great way to ensure that your study is designed and set-up in a way that will be relevant to participants, and of good quality.
This can also help to avoid any setbacks once the project is underway.
The new UK Standards for Public Involvement have now been released and were developed over three years by a country-wide partnership between the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Chief Scientist Office (CSO) Scotland, Health
and Care Research Wales, and the Public Health Agency Northern Ireland
They describe what good public involvement looks like and encourage approaches and behaviours that are the hallmark of good public involvement such as flexibility, sharing and learning and respect for each other.
You can see the six UK standards and supporting materials, as well as further details about the partnership, project and the piloting of the new standards, here.
Further guidance is available via the Clinical Governance section of the Research blog and via the Health Research Authority and NIHR pages.
Talk/session with the Wessex Clinical Research Network Study Support Service
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research – the NIHR oversee 15 Clinical Research Networks (CRN) and these CRNs work alongside NHS Trusts, primary care providers and Universities. Each CRN has a dedicated Study Support Service.
The NIHR have a portfolio of research studies that are eligible for consideration for support from the CRN in England. Portfolio status is usually vital to participating NHS Trusts when considering undertaking a proposed study.
Information on the NIHR portfolio is present on the research blog, but at this session our local CRN’s Study Support team will provide you with an opportunity to hear about and discuss the network and the service, and how it could benefit you.
This session is aimed at those planning on conducting clinical research.
It is also designed to raise awareness at BU about the benefits and importance of the NIHR portfolio, so if you’re just interested in learning more, please book on.
The session will take place on Tuesday 10th December at 2:3opm until 4:00pm on Lansdowne Campus.
To register your interest or if you have any queries, please get in touch with Research Ethics.
Talk/session with the Wessex Clinical Research Network Study Support Service
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research – the NIHR oversee 15 Clinical Research Networks (CRN) and these CRNs work alongside NHS Trusts, primary care providers and Universities. Each CRN has a dedicated Study Support Service.
The NIHR have a portfolio of research studies that are eligible for consideration for support from the CRN in England. Portfolio status is usually vital to participating NHS Trusts when considering undertaking a proposed study.
Information on the NIHR portfolio is present on the research blog, but at this session our local CRN’s Study Support team will provide you with an opportunity to hear about and discuss the network and the service, and how it could benefit you.
This session is aimed at those planning on conducting clinical research.
It is also designed to raise awareness at BU about the benefits and importance of the NIHR portfolio, so if you’re just interested in learning more, please book on.
The session will take place on Tuesday 10th December at 2:3opm until 4:00pm on Lansdowne Campus.
To register your interest or if you have any queries, please get in touch with Research Ethics.
Talk/session with the Wessex Clinical Research Network Study Support Service
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research – the NIHR oversee 15 Clinical Research Networks (CRN) and these CRNs work alongside NHS Trusts, primary care providers and Universities. Each CRN has a dedicated Study Support Service.
The NIHR have a portfolio of research studies that are eligible for consideration for support from the CRN in England. Portfolio status is usually vital to participating NHS Trusts when considering undertaking a proposed study.
Information on the NIHR portfolio is present on the research blog, but at this session our local CRN’s Study Support team will provide you with an opportunity to hear about and discuss the network and the service, and how it could benefit you.
This session is aimed at those planning on conducting clinical research.
It is also designed to raise awareness at BU about the benefits and importance of the NIHR portfolio, so if you’re just interested in learning more, please book on.
The session will take place on Tuesday 10th December at 2:3opm until 4:00pm on Lansdowne Campus.
To register your interest or if you have any queries, please get in touch with Research Ethics.
New report highlights how NIHR support for clinical research benefits the UK economy and NHS
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation’s largest funder of health research and offer support to NHS Trusts, researchers, universities and any other organisation conducting clinical research.
A recent report shows that the support given by the NIHR via their Clinical Research Networks (CRN) generated an estimated £8 billion of gross value added (GVA) to the NHS, over the last 3 years. The support also generated 47,467 full time equivalent jobs for the UK.
Other key findings from the report include:
Over the three year period (financial years) 2016/17 to 2018/19:
- The estimated annual economic contribution of NIHR CRN supported studies increased by £0.1 billion (GVA) between 2016/17 and 2018/19 (up from £2.6 billion in financial year 2016/17, to £2.7 billion in financial year 2018/19) – linked to increased commercial contract research activity supported by the NIHR CRN
- For each patient recruited onto a commercially-funded trial supported by the NIHR CRN, on average NHS providers in England received an estimated £9,200 from life sciences companies, and on average saved an estimated £5,800 per patient (where trial drugs replaced the standard treatment)
- The number of studies and patients recruited onto NIHR CRN supported studies have both increased by approximately 30% in three years (financial year 2016/17 – financial year 2018/19)
There was also a cost saving to the NHS of £28.6 million where trial drugs were provided and use in place of standard drugs.
You can view the NIHR article here and the full report here.
As taken from the article, Matt Cooper, Business Development and Marketing Director at the NIHR Clinical Research Network said:
“The benefits to the UK of a strong and productive NIHR Clinical Research Network, working in partnership with the NHS, are clearly demonstrated in this report. It describes sustained growth in the Clinical Research Network Portfolio of both clinical research and its value to the UK economy – £2.7billion in 2018/19, an increase of £300million from the previous report in 2016.”
Remember – support is on offer at BU if you are thinking of introducing your research ideas into the NHS – email the Research Ethics mailbox, and take a look at the Clinical Governance blog.
BUCRU (Bournemouth University Clinical Research Unit) – Newsletter
Please see the latest newsletter from the Bournemouth University Clinical Research Unit (BUCRU). We hope you find it interesting. This is our ‘last’ newsletter and covers content from last year, we are shortly introducing new quarterly ‘BUCRU Bulletins’ with more recent content to be disseminated digitally.
BUCRU supports researchers to improve the quality, quantity, and efficiency of research locally by supporting grant applications and providing on-going support in funded projects, as well as developing our own programme of research. 2018 was an exciting year for BUCRU including being awarded a further 5 years of funding from National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to continue our work as the RDS (Research Design Service) South West. We’ve also submitted 14 grant applications, have 23 peer-reviewed publications and over £800,000 in grant involvement.
You can find out more within the newsletter, including news from our colleagues in the Centre of Postgraduate Medical Research and Education or visit: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/bucru
And don’t forget, your local branch of the NIHR RDS (Research Design Service) is based within the BU Clinical Research Unit (BUCRU) on the 5th floor of Royal London House. Feel free to pop in and see us, call us on 61939 or send us an email.
Doctoral and Advanced NIHR Fellowship Awards are now open for applications
The Doctoral and Advanced NIHR Fellowship Awards are now open to support individuals to undertake exciting and impactful research on their trajectory to becoming future leaders.
Now with increased flexibility and options to include clinical time, they support people at various points of their development from initial pre-doctoral training to senior post-doctoral research.
The NIHR has also partnered with seven charities to offer jointly-funded Partnership Fellowships at Doctoral and Advanced (post-doctoral) levels to utilise the strengths and expertise of both partners.
What do the Doctoral and Advanced Fellowships offer?
Round 3 Doctoral Fellowship – application deadline 1pm, 17 December 2019
The NIHR Doctoral Fellowship is a three year full-time award that supports individuals from all professional backgrounds to undertake a PhD in an area of NIHR research. This Fellowship may be taken up on a part-time basis between 50-100% whole time equivalent (WTE).
Clinical applicants can include up to 20% clinical time as part of the Fellowship.
Need help with your application? Find out tips from Professor Gary Frost, Chair of the NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Selection Committee.
Find out more
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Round 3 Advanced Fellowship – application deadline 1pm, 3 December 2019
The NIHR Advanced Fellowship is for those at post-doctoral level and aimed at several specific points of a researcher’s career development. It is between 2 and 5 years and can be completed on a full or part-time basis (between 50-100% WTE).
They are also available with a ‘clinical academic’ option where clinical applicants can request up to 40% of their time be dedicated to clinical service/development, which would be covered by the award.
Find out what makes an excellent Advanced Fellowship application from Professor Jayne Parry, Chair of the NIHR Advanced Fellowship Selection Committee.
Find out more
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NIHR-Charity Partnership Fellowships
Last year the NIHR Academy announced it would partner with leading UK medical research charities for the first-time, to offer jointly funded NIHR-Charity Partnership Fellowships at both Doctoral and Advanced (post-doctoral) level.
The aim, as part of the newly restructured NIHR Fellowships programme is to harness the strengths and expertise of both partners by adding value and quality in order to make the greatest impact.
Jointly funded NIHR Charity Partnership Fellowships enable researchers to:
- Be part of an active and supportive research community; maintaining and building a relationship with both the NIHR and charity partner.
- Engage with and receive valuable input from patient groups, making the most of the patient engagement/involvement opportunities available.
- Gain greater research exposure through a variety of media and communication channels.
- Potential events/conferences/networking opportunities available from the NIHR Academy and charity partner.
Please note that Doctoral and Advanced Fellowships now have two rounds per annum that open in April and October.
And don’t forget, your local branch of the NIHR RDS (Research Design Service) is based within the BU Clinical Research Unit (BUCRU) on the 5th floor of Royal London House. Feel free to pop in and see us, call us on 61939 or send us an email.
RKEDF – Overview of NIHR, CRNs and NIHR portfolio
On Tuesday 24th October, RDS are running a 2 hour workshop to give an overview of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Clinical Research Networks and the NIHR ‘portfolio’.
This workshop is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of the NIHR’s portfolio of research studies to BU and NHS partners. It will also explore the role of the NIHR Clinical Research Networks (CRN), with an emphasis on the set-up and work of our local network, Wessex.
The workshop will cover the requirements to be eligible for the NIHR portfolio, how to apply so that your study may be considered for adoption, and how to access the support of the NIHR CRN.
By the end of this workshop you will have an understanding about:
- The work of the NIHR and layout of the CRNs
- How to apply for and the requirements for portfolio adoption
- The benefits of having a study on the NIHR portfolio
If you’re interested in attending then reserve your place via Organisational Development.
Introduction to Good Clinical Practice – Thursday 10th October
Are you interested in running your own research project within the NHS? Good Clinical Practice, or ‘GCP’, is a requirement for those wishing to work on clinical research projects in a healthcare setting.
GCP is the international ethical, scientific and practical standard to which all clinical research is conducted. By undertaking GCP, you’re able to demonstrate the rights, safety and wellbeing of your research participants are protected, and that the data collected are reliable.
The next GCP full day session is scheduled for Thursday 10th October, at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester –9:00am – 4:30pm.
The day will comprise of the following sessions:
- Introduction to research and the GCP standards;
- Preparing to deliver your study;
- Identifying and recruiting participants – eligibility and informed consent;
- Data collection and ongoing study delivery;
- Safety reporting;
- Study closure.
If you’re interested in booking a place, please contact Research Ethics.
Remember that support is on offer at BU if you are thinking of introducing your research ideas into the NHS – email the Research Ethics mailbox, and take a look at the Clinical Governance blog.
NIHR RDS Grant Applications – seminar & support event, Truro, Cornwall – 8th October 2019
Are you planning to submit a grant application to NIHR?
We are holding a one-day event at the Knowledge Spa, Truro, Cornwall on Tuesday 8 October that is aimed at helping you to improve your chances of success..
The morning seminar session is open to anyone to come and hear RDS advisers give presentations on what makes a good grant proposal. Topics covered will include:
- what does the NIHR look for?
- the application as a marketing document: selling the topic, selling the method, and selling the team
- the team
- clarity of description and explanation
- feasibility issues
- identifying and avoiding potential pitfalls.
The afternoon support session of one-to-one appointments is for those who would like to discuss their own proposal with an RDS adviser.
This event is FREE and refreshments and lunch will be provided. Places are limited and will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. In order to secure your place please register using our online form by 1pm, 25 September 2019. Find out more.
And don’t forget, your local branch of the NIHR RDS (Research Design Service) is based within the BU Clinical Research Unit (BUCRU) on the 5th floor of Royal London House. Feel free to pop in and see us, call us on 61939 or send us an email.
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