Engaging and Supporting Surgical Research: Clinical Research Networks Dr Jonathan Gower 9 February 2012 1

The Role of the NIHR Clinical Research Networks To provide a world-class research infrastructure embedded in the NHS to support the successful DELIVERY of clinical research studies across England Development Funding Delivery 2

NIHR Clinical Research Networks NIHR Dementias & Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network NIHR Diabetes Research Network NIHR Medicines for Children Research Network NIHR Mental Health Research Network NIHR National Cancer Research Network NIHR Primary Care Research Network NIHR Stroke Research Network NIHR Comprehensive Clinical Research Network

Covers the whole of England Covers all healthcare sectors Covers all areas of clinical need Support delivered through 25 Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRNs) All the Research Networks work closely together to deliver benefits for researchers and patients

Research Network provides: What the NIHR Clinical Research Network provides: Access to experienced Research Management and Governance staff Access to a local network of dedicated skilled research support staff (eg research nurses) Support to service departments such as pharmacy, radiology, laboratories Dedicated research time for clinicians Access to free training opportunities A local and national support network to ensure the successful set up and delivery of research projects 5

What the CCRN budget is being spent on in 2011/12 £243m 85% of the total CRN budget Funding level being maintained 6

Specialty Groups CCRN portfolio broken down into 24 different specialties Each led by a Specialty Group – set up to harness the enthusiasm and expertise of researchers in the specialties that they are dedicated to Membership through nomination of Local Leads from the CLRNs (now over 500) To actively engage with the research community and other stakeholders to make the most of what the Clinical Research Networks have to offer National coordinating function linked to local networks to ensure the successful delivery of studies to time and target 7

The number of studies in each Specialty Group

Surgical Research “Cross-cutting theme” extends across cancer, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal, nervous systems disorders, ENT, GI, Injuries and Emergencies… Around 70 active studies on the portfolio funded by NIHR and NIHR partnership organisations Multidisciplinary – vascular, heart, orthopaedics, GI, neuro-, plastics, head and neck… Historically under-represented in the research arena A complex area to do research in BUT… 9

NIHR CRN support to surgical research NIHR has established a Specialty Group for Surgery Excellent cross-talk across disciplines A real focus of enthusiasm and advice A vehicle through which to develop partnership working £1.6m of additional network funding directed specifically to support surgical research in addition to the significant disease-specific support (cancer, cardiovascular etc) Supporting GRIST (Growing Recruitment into Interventional and Surgical Trials) Identifying the barriers and finding solutions, making a difference 10

The Surgical Research Specialty Group S Spec Surri

Recruitment into Surgical Research Studies

Where recruitment is taking place

Practical help we can offer Advice about “deliverability” Patient numbers, patient pathway Consent rates Resources required Identification of research active centres with the commitment and expertise in specific areas Help with securing support through the CLRNs Ongoing study overview Unblocking local blocks Help to find new recruitment sites Identifying national blocks and addressing these 14

How to access help Visit the Specialty Group stand in the Marketplace Pick up a Surgery Specialty Group flyer Contact the Surgery Specialty Group Lead for your CLRN The CLRN where the CI resides offers a “Lead Network Service” to help CIs set up multicentre studies quickly and effectively across multiple CLRNs 15

Thank you 9 February 2012 16