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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. The number of studies
in each Specialty Group

9. 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

10. 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

11. The Surgical Research Specialty Group S Spec Surri

12. Recruitment into Surgical Research Studies

13. Where recruitment is
taking place

14. 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

15. 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

16. Thank you
9 February 2012 16