UKCRC

Issue: 9 Autumn 2008 Chief Executive’s In this issue: Message UKCRC Patient & Public Involvement Implementation Plan 2008-09 Page 2 Academic training scheme for nurses, midwives and AHPs Welcome to workforce. Where necessary, announced Page 4 the UKCRC work towards implementing Autumn Update. I’m pleased the recommendations is also welcomes new Director of R&D Page 8 to say that 2008 is shaping up underway in Scotland, Wales and to be another productive year Northern Ireland. for the Partnership,‘ and once the third and fourth years of the again we have some fantastic There continues to be a great Partnership. An updated UKCRC achievements to report. deal of positive patient and website will also be launched public involvement activity this autumn, to reflect the Two major projects which among the UKCRC Partners and Collaboration’s changing remit have involved joint working by stakeholders. The UKCRC has as we move into our fifth year of UKCRC Partners have come to developed an implementation operation. The new website is fruition recently. In July, major group for patient and public designed to provide an overview infection research consortia involvement over the next year, of the developing environment for were established in London and and on pages 3 and 10 you clinical research in the UK and Oxford with £9m joint funding can read about the launch of a will act as a signpost to more from the Biotechnology and new resource for patients and detailed information on specific Biological Sciences Research the public on clinical trials, and initiatives led by the UKCRC Council, Medical Research a consumer award won by the Partners. Council, National Institute for Medicines for Children Research Health Research and Wellcome Network. Many of the Partnership’s initial Trust. The consortia will focus on tasks are now complete, and as important research areas such There have also been some we move into 2009, the UKCRC as increasing understanding of changes to research leadership Partners are considering whether infectious disease transmission and management in the UK there are areas of activity that and addressing the challenge of recently. Professor Sir John may require continued monitoring healthcare-associated infection. Savill’s appointment as the new and/or a forum for joint working. Chief Scientist for Scotland is As the planned reduction in the In September, the National highlighted on page 7 and this

UKCRC Secretariat takes place Institute for Health Research issue also includes a personal over the coming year, the Board announced that a new integrated message from Professor Bernie will be working to ensure that academic training scheme is Hannigan, the new Director of work can continue in these areas to be launched in England for R&D for Health and Social Care where necessary. I am confident nurses, midwives and allied in Northern Ireland. that the UKCRC way of working ‘ health professionals. This is now firmly embedded in scheme will take forward the The UKCRC Secretariat has practice, and the collaborative recommendations made in been putting together the 2006 work needed to develop and the UKCRC’s 2007 report, – 2008 Progress Report over support a world class health Developing the best research the summer, which will be research environment in the UK professionals, the report of the published shortly. The report will continue long into the future. UKCRC Subcommittee for Nurses gives an update on progress in Clinical Research (Workforce) with activities detailed in the and will further strengthen 2004–2006 Progress Report Dr Liam O’Toole the UK clinical research and focuses on achievements in Chief Executive, UKCRC

1 NHS Connecting for Health patient data consultation underway

HS Connecting for Health provide input on the way that the A series of workshops across Nis running a consultation NHS uses their health information England are also planned. until 10 December 2008, to by going to the online consultation Professor Sir Alex Markham, allow the public and healthcare at www.connectingforhealth.nhs. Professor of Medicine at the professionals to have their say on uk/susconsultation. Some of the University of Leeds and Chair the use of patient data for research questions it asks include: who of the Research Capability purposes and for managing and should have access to patient Programme said: “Our planning care. data? and for what additional or conversations with patients secondary uses should data be suggest that the vast majority of The sharing of patient information used other than for direct care? them are willing to participate in has the potential to improve medical research. It is essential the well-being of the population The consultation also explains that those who do not wish to through medical research, disease the benefits, legal safeguards do so have their wishes fully surveillance, screening, needs and practical steps available to respected. This public consultation assessment and preventative meet confidentiality and ethical will give patients and the public activities. The NHS Care Records obligations and will aim to gather the chance to input into this Service offers new opportunities as wide a range of views and process.” in this field, with the electronic opinions as possible. The results collection of clinical and patient of the consultation will be used The Consultation can be filled in data. to shape how information held in online or downloaded as hard copy the NHS Care Records Service is from: www.connectingforhealth. The public, patients and other used other than for the purpose of nhs.uk/susconsultation until 10 interested parties are invited to providing direct care to patients. December 2008

UKCRC Patient and Public Involvement Implementation Plan 2008-09

he UKCRC Board approved a Research web resource (www. Cynnwys Pobl, the James Lind Tthree-year Strategic Plan in peopleinresearch.org). In addition Alliance and the NIHR Network April 2008 to provide a framework to undertaking interviews and Coordinating Centre. for the UKCRC’s future patient and an analysis of web statistics, public involvement activities. video will be used to record and Copies of the UKCRC’s three- analyse a series of hands-on year Strategic Plan for Patient One of the first projects to get usability tests. Similarly, the and Public Involvement can be underway has been an evaluation purpose of the evaluation is to downloaded from the UKCRC of the process and impact of inform the development of People website at:http://www.ukcrc.org/ patient and public involvement in Research. Reports from both pdf/PPI_SPlan_Impl_08-09.pdf in UKCRC Advisory Groups. these evaluation projects will be Interviews with both patient/public available by April 2009. Please contact Philippa Yeeles at members and Chairs of UKCRC the UKCRC for more information advisory groups are being carried Implementation of the Plan is ([email protected], 0207 out in October. This will provide being overseen by the UKCRC 670 6153). information for discussion at a Board Subgroup for Patient stakeholders’ workshop which and Public Involvement. The will reflect on current progress Subgroup’s membership includes and develop recommendations for patients / public and organisations future activities. with a specific remit to support patient and public involvement Another project shortly to begin in clinical research, such as is an evaluation of the People in INVOLVE, Involving People:

2 DIPEx to feature new clinical trials module

elderly, or black and minority ethnic patients.

The new clinical trials section was needed for several reasons. People tend to seek out others who have been in similar situations when they are making complex decisions about their health. Recruitment of people to trials often takes place shortly after diagnosis of a disease, when their immediate concerns are focused on the diagnosis itself. This can make it hard to objectively weigh up the pros and cons of taking part.

Louise Locock, who is Senior Researcher on the project, says: new sett off webb pages on resultslt are alsol publishedbli h d iin peer “We hope the resulting website Apatient experiences of clinical reviewed journals. The research will help other people thinking trials is being developed by programme is based at the about taking part in a trial to make DIPEx (Database of Individual a more informed choice, and to Patient Experiences), a qualitative Department of Primary Care. The learn more about trial methods research programme on personal website has been redesigned and what they can expect if they experiences of health and illness. and was relaunched on 13 take part. It will also provide a The resource is being funded by October 2008 with a new valuable teaching aid for health the National Institute for Health name, Healthtalkonline (www. professionals and researchers Research and is scheduled for healthtalkonline.org). designing trials, by providing launch in Spring 2009. insights into what matters to Interviews with patients for people when they are invited to The UKCRC has supported the clinical trials study are participate in a trial and what the development of the DIPEx almost complete, and up to 45 kind of information they find most work on clinical trials through participants are expected to helpful.” representation on its advisory feature in the website section from group and encouragement of a range of trial types. Patients This new resource, based on recruitment of patients through the are invited to tell their story in rigorous qualitative research, UK clinical research networks. The their own words, and are asked complements other activities in clinical trials website section is questions such as “how were the UK clinical research networks expected to be a valuable resource you invited to take part?”, “what to boost public awareness of for many of the UKCRC Partner motivated you to take part (or say clinical research through direct organisations and stakeholders. no)?” and “how well were the trial accounts of patient experiences. design and methods explained?” As reported in the Spring UKCRC The DIPEx research group Update earlier this year, the conducts video or audio interviews The videos will aim to get a Diabetes Research Network with people about their balanced selection of experiences, launched a DVD, Clinical experiences of particular health including accounts from patients Research in Diabetes: a patient conditions or treatment choices, who decided not to take part, perspective, which is based on and uses the results to create and those who withdrew from video clips of patients talking a free access website. Over 40 clinical trials. It will also include about their experiences of conditions or health topics are participants from a range of research. In May 2008, a new already featured on different backgrounds, including version of the DVD was launched the site. As well as dissemination those who are often under- along with a website: www. through the website, represented in trials such as diabetesresearchnetworking.org.

3 UKCRC Public Health Research Report published

The report of the UKCRC Public Health Research Strategic Planning Group, Strengthening Public Health Research in the UK, is now available to download from Strengthening Public Health the UKCRC website at: Research in the UK Report of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Public Health Research Strategic Planning Group http://www.ukcrc.org/pdf/PH_Report_July_08.pdf

The report documents the activities and outcomes of the Strategic Planning Group which led to the establishment of a £20m joint initiative which created five UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence in January 2008.

Academic training scheme for nurses, midwives and AHPs announced he NIHR and the Chief integrated academic training candidates will take up their posts TNursing Officer for England pathway, similar to the one which in September 2009. have announced that a major was launched for academic new integrated academic training doctors and dentists in 2006. The initiative is to be launched by scheme for nurses, midwives and The pathway offers four levels of the National Institute for Health allied health professionals (AHPs) integrated training: Masters in Research (NIHR) and Chief is to be launched. Research (MRes) or Masters in Nursing Officer for England, in Clinical Research; Doctorate by collaboration with Economic and The scheme is being set up in Research; Clinical Lectureships; Social Research Council (ESRC) response to recommendations and Senior Academic Clinical and Higher Education and Funding made in Developing the best Lectureships. Council for England (HEFCE). research professionals, the report The scheme will be administered of the UKCRC Subcommittee An implementation group is by the National Coordinating for Nurses in Clinical Research now working to develop a Centre for Research Capacity (Workforce), published in 2007. transparent application process Development. to establish the scheme. The Funding has been secured for positions will be offered through Further details of the scheme can several research training schemes an open competition process, be found at: which together will form an and it is expected that successful www.nccrcd.nhs.uk.

Model Clinical Investigations Agreement (mCIA) to be launched

he model Clinical Investigation Health Service in the UK and model agreements is not legally TAgreement (mCIA) will be is seen as one of the ways to mandatory, their use removes the launched in autumn 2008. The increase the speed and efficiency need for company-by-company, agreement is designed to be used of clinical trial management investigation-by-investigation and without modification for company- and contribute to making the site-by-site legal review of contract sponsored commercial research UK a more attractive site for terms. involving medical devices in international multi-centre trials. patients in hospitals throughout More information will shortly be the UK Health Service. Versions of the mCIA have been available on the UKCRC website developed to ensure compliance at: www.ukcrc.org/activities/ This agreement is the latest with the law in the relevant regulationandgovernance/ step in the creation of a suite of jurisdiction and to reflect regional modelagreements.aspx templates for commercial research institutional arrangements across contracts for use throughout the the UK. Although the use of the

4 R&G Advice Service launches online query function ince summer 2008, users research. It was primarily set up to ► A range of web based Sof the UKCRC R&G Advice support advice providers, such as resources, including toolkits, Service (www.ukcrc-rgadvice.org) NHS/HSC R&D departments and best practice and Q&As. have been able to submit their university research managers or queries online. Clinical Trial Unit staff who may The service was launched via a not have access to reliable sources series of roadshows in 2007 and Users must be registered with the of advice. It aims to deliver is jointly delivered by the NIHR Advice Service in order to submit consistent and authoritative advice Network Coordinating Centre and a query, but registration is free, on regulatory and governance the Medical Research Council quick and simple to complete. issues by providing: Regulatory Support Centre.

The Advice Service is part of the ► A route for resolving complex local and national regulatory and queries in consultation with governance advice provision in the national regulatory authorities UK for those involved in health

www.ukcrc-rgadvice.org/Pages/default.aspx

IRAS well-received by research community

been high: in August 2008, 48% developed by a group of of applications for research ethics organisations under the auspices approval were submitted through of the UKCRC, led by the National IRAS. Research Ethics Service.

IRAS collates the information Further improvements and researchers need for permissions functionality will continue to be and approvals by various added to IRAS, including the regulatory bodies to conduct remaining data fields for full health and social care research European Clinical Trials Database in the UK. It was developed (EudraCT) functionality. in response to criticism from IRAS (Integrated Research the research community about IRAS can be accessed at: Application System) received the time-consuming process of www.myresearchproject.org.uk overwhelmingly positive feedback duplicating information in several from the research community separate applications. The during its consultation-in-use system was jointly phase, which finished in June.

Users of IRAS, which was launched in January 2008, were encouraged to give feedback on their experience with the system. Responses were extremely positive, and many of the modifications that were suggested by users have been or are being incorporated into the system. Uptake to date has also

5 Infection research consortia created with £9m joint funding

Sciences Research up their classification and Council, Medical identification. Research Council, National Institute The London consortium, based at DevelopingDeveloping MicrobiologyMicrobiology and Infectious DiseasesDiseases ResearchResearch in the UK for Health Research Imperial College, will address the

ReportReport of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Strategic Planning GroupGroup on Microbiology andand and Wellcome Trust, challenge of healthcare-associated InfectiousInfectious DiseasesDiseases ResearchResearch through a competitive infection by conducting research Developing Microbiology and Infectious process. into individual and organisational Diseases Research in the UK behavioural change, modelling, The Initiative has epidemiology, rapid diagnosis and Report of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Strategic Planning Group on Microbiology and previously awarded surveillance of selected infectious Infectious Diseases Research five Strategy diseases. AprilApril 2008 Development Grants, but this was the first The UKCRC Translational round of funding for Infection Research Initiative is Consortium Grants a partnership of seven funders which aim to bring who have committed up to together new multi- £16.5m investment to strengthen disciplinary research infection research in the UK. The groups focused Partners are: the Biotechnology on high quality and Biological Sciences Research collaborative research Council; the Medical Research addressing national Council; the National Institute for April 2008 research priorities in Health Research; the Northern n July, the UKCRC Translational the microbiology and Ireland Health and Social Care IInfection Research Initiative infection field. A second round of Research and Development Office; established two major infection Consortium funding is scheduled the Chief Scientist Office of the research consortia in London for award in late 2009. Health and Oxford with £9m joint Directorates; the Wales Office of funding. The consortia are The Oxford consortium will Research and Development for conducting collaborative research focus on research to increase Health and Social Care, Welsh into nationally important areas understanding of how infectious Assembly Government; and the including healthcare-associated diseases are transmitted with Wellcome Trust. infections and antibiotic the aim of improving control of resistance. their spread. It will exploit recent advances made in sequencing The £9m funding to establish the the genomes of bacterial and consortia was jointly awarded by viral pathogens of public health the Biotechnology and Biological concern, to improve and speed

The Report of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Strategic Planning Group on Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research, whose recommendations led to the creation of the initiative, is available to download from the UKCRC website at:

http://www.ukcrc.org/PDF/microB_Report.pdf

6 Scotland appoints new Chief Scientist

In June 2008, Professor Sir John five universities, NHS Education Savill, FRCP, FRCPE, FASN, for Scotland and the NHS to FRSE, FMedSci, took up the establish the Scottish Clinical appointment of Chief Scientist to Research Excellence Development the Scottish Government Health Scheme, Scotland’s distinctive Directorates, which he holds in response to the Walport report. He conjunction with his current role is keen to build on the successes as Vice Principal and Head of the of collaboration: College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine in the University of “By working together towards even Edinburgh. greater collaboration for clinical research in Scotland, we can Professor Savill, who is a renal make a major contribution to the Professor Sir John Savill physician, is still active in acute exciting developments in clinical medicine. He originally moved to translational research being led by Research Centre and Unit Scotland in 1998 to take up the the MRC and the English NIHR, initiatives. He was knighted for Chair of Medicine in Edinburgh, promoting gains in both health services to clinical science in the where he established the Medical and wealth in Scotland, the UK 2008 New Year’s Honours List. Research Council (MRC) Centre for and further afield,” he says. Inflammation Research. “I was immediately impressed by In his new role, Professor Savill the very strong collaborative ethos will also draw on six years’ in Scotland”, he says. experience as a member of the MRC and previous Chairmanship Professor Savill has recently of two MRC Boards, the MRC played a significant role in bringing Clinical Research Overview together the Chief Scientist Office, Group, and the NIHR Biomedical

Wales Office of WORD’s new Research Governance Research and Development for Health and Social Care (WORD) Framework out for consultation Welsh Assembly Government

Parc Cathays / Cathays Park Caerdydd / Cardiff RESEARCH GOVERNANCE The Wales Office of Research and Development (WORD) has CF10 3NQ

FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTH

recently released the second edition of the Research Governance

AND SOCIAL CARE IN

Framework for Health and Social Care in Wales for consultation. The

WALES

consultation document and accompanying letter can be found at:

http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/

healandsoccarecurrcons/governance/?lang=en

The deadline for comments is 31 October 2008. SECOND EDITION, 2008

CONSULTATION DRAFT

For more information on the UKCRC and its activies, please see the website: www.ukcrc.org

7 Northern Ireland welcomes new Director of R&D

Professor Bernie Hannigan was appointed as Director of R&D for Health & Social Care in April 2008. Here she introduces herself and talks about the future strategic direction for the R&D Office

“I am delighted to contribute to research users to build a new set this newsletter as the third holder of R&D priorities. These priorities of the post of Northern Ireland’s will be updated on a rolling Director of R&D for Health and basis and will inform a series of Social Care. I would start by calls for research proposals. In paying tribute to my predecessors; addition, future calls will include a Professor Bob Stout and Professor translational research stream. Ingrid Allen. My role now is to build upon their achievements in Other aspects of our work will line with best practice worldwide, continue relatively unchanged. and with developments elsewhere These include essential capacity- in the UK. My background is in building programmes such academia; I’m an immunologist as bursaries for Masters level Professor Bernie Hannigan and over the past ten years I have study and our investigator-led held positions at the University of Fellowships (PhD or MD). We Ulster as Dean of Life and Health hope that some of those awards funding range of a single funder. Sciences and Pro Vice Chancellor can be integrated into longer term Already we support a diversity for Research and Innovation. career development for our most of projects, in responsive mode, The latter post gave me great able future researchers whether in partnership with others and a insight into the realities of moving they aspire to posts within research programme call is under research findings closer to users the Health and Social Care or development. One exciting scheme who could benefit from them and academia; we are committed to already underway is the US – started my quest to discover how assisting the implementation of Ireland R&D partnership in which best this can be achieved. the Walport and Finch reports. tripartite (Ireland – Northern Very importantly, the impact of Ireland – US) collaborations To ensure that the prevailing ethos the Northern Ireland Clinical undergo peer review through the of our R&D Office supports the Research Network (NICRN) National Institutes of Health. If fact that the funds we distribute will increasingly be felt as more they are successful funding is come directly from the province’s commercial and non-commercial provided to each partner from his/ health and social care budget, clinical trials get underway. This her own jurisdiction. we must change. The greatest activity will accelerate through change will be to rebalance the developments such as the recent At the outset of an appointment number of investigator-proposed appointment of an R&D Director in it is very easy to write about all projects that dominate our current each Health and Social Care Trust the things we are going to do. portfolio with an increased number with dedicated research support I’ve enjoyed that but now I look of projects initiated in response staff and a range of infrastructure forward to future newsletters when to health and social care needs. elements that are, or will be put, I will review progress.” A gap that is readily identified is in place. a mechanism through which the Professor Bernie Hannigan needs are stated. Overcoming this Our budget for R&D is limited but gap is one of the most significant of course we are just one of many pieces of work currently underway. funders. To make the best use By the end of the year we will of available funds the HSC R&D have a robust process enabling Office will work in partnership engagement between and among with others to enable projects that policy makers, researchers and would be outside of the scope or

8 News from the Networks Scottish Dementia Research Network launched he Scottish Dementia Research essential for translating scientific Edinburgh as Director. TNetwork was launched in discoveries into safe and effective August by the Chief Medical treatments. The new Network The new Network will not only Officer in Scotland, Dr Harry is funded in recognition of this develop work within Scotland but Burns. The network has received fact, bringing together academics will collaborate with DeNDroN £1m funding from the Scottish and clinicians to focus on this in England and the Dementias Government, through the Chief important area of NHS need. and Neurodegenerative Diseases Scientist Office of the Health Research Network, which operates Directorates. The Network will be built around as part of CRC Cymru. The four hubs in Glasgow, Grampian, Network also hopes to work with The roots of the Network are in Lothian and Tayside, but will also the recently-approved network the existing memory clinics for the feature outreach to the rest of in Northern Ireland. One of its early identification, support and the country, so that the ongoing initial tasks will be establishing an treatment of the dementias across research studies will be open to integrated primary and secondary Scotland. Although Scotland has all. It will be chaired by Dr Peter care dementia database register a strong record in research on the Connelly, Consultant Old Age of those interested in participating scientific basis of dementia, it has Psychiatrist from NHS Tayside, in research, which will in turn aid lacked coordination in patient- with Professor John Starr from recruitment to studies. focused clinical research, which is NHS Lothian and University of

NIHR DeNDRoN doubles recruitment to UK’s largest Parkinson’s disease trial he NIHR Dementia and been falling in all areas and for improving recruitment and for TNeurodegenerative Diseases recruitment within and outside the completing follow-up. Feedback Research Network (DeNDRoN) network was roughly the same, from clinicians showed that lack of has had a major impact on with 49% of patients recruited support for taking part in clinical recruitment to PD MED, the UK’s from NIHR DeNDRoN supported research was a major factor in largest trial in Parkinson’s disease, areas and 51% from those with no holding back recruitment. To date, doubling recruitment in areas with NIHR DeNDRoN support. the trial has recruited over 1600 NIHR DeNDRoN support. patients. However, after NIHR DeNDRoN PD MED is a Health and became operational in early 2007, Piers Kotting, NIHR DeNDRoN’s Technology Assessment-funded this trend was reversed in NIHR Assistant Director, says: “When we trial of the relative cost- DeNDRoN-supported areas. first started supporting PD MED effectiveness of classes of drugs The network’s support resulted we were told by many sites that for Parkinson’s disease, run by the in the approximate doubling of they couldn’t recruit because the Clinical Trials Unit. recruitment into PD MED in areas study wasn’t properly funded. Of It was one of the first studies to covered by the network since the course it has always been fully be included in NIHR DeNDRoN’s start of 2007, indicating that local funded. The issue was that the portfolio. research networks are effective service support costs in the old Culyer system weren’t finding The trial team, led by Impact on recruitment to PD MED their way to where they were Professor Carl Clarke, needed. NIHR DeNDRoN has compared recruitment from ensured that service support regions with and without costs are available and NIHR DeNDRoN support, recruitment has doubled.” before and after the network became operational. Up to Further information is available the end of 2006, before at: www.pdmed.bham.ac.uk the network was up and and www.dendron.org.uk. running, recruitment had

9 News from the Networks continued....

NIHR Medicines for Children Research Network project wins award

which involved coming up with ideas for how to test a new medicine, learning about clinical trials, and producing their own artwork inspired by microscope images of viruses. The younger age groups took part in workshops about bacteria and viruses, followed by art activities which were used to make colourful displays for their schools.

Feedback was very positive, with many of the schools expressing interest in being involved in future NIHR MCRN activities. Comments from pupils about what they had Left to right: Dr Nicola Madge, Adam Al Mudhaffer, Ann Keene learned included “I can’t believe MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Health Services, Georgia that willow bark can stop pain, it’s Semple and Jenny Preston unbelievable!” and “I have learned that you have to test the medicine n NIHR Medicines for Children medical research, art and you make really well before you AResearch Network creative education. Over 500 children and sell it and give it to the shops.” outreach project for children, young people took part from six The workshops were funded ‘Where do Medicines come from?’ schools in Local Research Network by Ask about Medicines, an has won a 2008 Ask About regions, with priority given to inner independent campaign to increase Medicines Award for Excellence. city schools to target less affluent people’s involvement in decisions areas with a greater diversity of about their use of medicines. The NIHR MCRN had further cultural backgrounds. It developed the Awards in success with its childrens’ and partnership with the Association young persons’ group, ‘Stand up, The workshops gave children of the British Pharmaceutical Speak up’, which was a runner- and young people the chance Industry (ABPI). up in the ‘Medicines information to explore the science behind for diverse populations’ category. medicine and create artwork More information can be found The awards ceremony was held inspired by what they had learned. at: www.mcrn.org.uk and www. at the House of Commons in July Older children explored the topic askaboutmedicines.org. 2008 and awards were presented of where medicines come from, by Ann Keen MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Health Services at the Department of Health.

‘Where do Medicines come from?’ is a series of workshops launched in January 2008 which were run by NIHR MCRN Consumer Liaison Officer Jenny Preston and Dr Lizzie Burns, a science-based artist Some of the children who took part in the workshop to display their with a long-standing passion for work

10 News from the Networks continued....

UKCRN launches Industry Costing Template

May saw the launch of the Trusts are fully reimbursed for any studies, however the methodology UKCRN Industry Costing Template activities associated with industry is freely available to companies in England, developed on behalf of studies, and identifies standard interested in running trials outside the NIHR. The template provides rates for staff time, overheads etc, the Networks. The NIHR Research a transparent and consistent which are mutually acceptable to Network Coordinating Centre national costing system for all involved. is working with the devolved commercial research, which was a nations to facilitate development specific recommendation made in The template has been developed of comparable systems for the Cooksey Report. for use in contract trials of implementation across the UK. pharmaceutical and biotechnology The aim of the template is agents in secondary care, however Development and piloting of the to speed up the initiation of other templates for use in primary template has been collaborative, industry contract trials by cutting care studies and in studies of involving the NHS and industry the time needed for site-by- medical devices are also being stakeholders, and it is expected to site negotiations. It provides developed. be reviewed and updated in future. clear methodology to calculate consistent and transparent All relevant studies intended for The template, and comprehensive prices associated with industry- adoption by the NIHR Clinical background information, can be sponsored studies, to support both Research Networks in England will downloaded from the UKCRN industry and the NIHR Networks. use the template. It was primarily website at: http://www.ukcrn.org. It also ensures that all NHS developed to support these uk/index/industry/costing.html

October Research Capability Programme workshops

A series of workshops will be held in October on the NHS Connecting for Health Research Capability Programme, targeted at the research community. The workshops provide the opportunity to find out more about the progress of the Research Capability Programme, and its work to enable medical research to achieve its full potential as a core activity for the health service alongside other uses of NHS data that lead to improvements in the quality and safety of care. The events will also have external speakers from the wider environment of health research to give a view on other projects and initiatives relevant to this field.

The workshops are being held on: 15 October 2008 9.00 – 15.30 29 October 2008 9.00 – 16.30 Central Hall Westminster NEC London Concourse Hospitality Suite Birmingham

Places can be booked online at: http://etdevents.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/browse

Email: [email protected] Fax: +44 (0) 113 241 6541 Post: Events Team, NHS CFH, 1st Floor, Vantage, 40 Aire Street, Leeds, LS1 4HT

11 Further information Wider stakeholders’ involvement to identify key issues and take part in the development of solutions is crucial to achieving the UKCRC vision. Because of the wide range of sectors involved in this Partnership, the most effective way of engaging with the Collaboration will be through the Partner organisations of the UKCRC. Further information can be obtained from the UKCRC Website or by contacting the UKCRC at: UK Clinical Research Collaboration 20 Park Crescent London W1B 1AL T: +44 (0)20 7670 5452 F: +44 (0)20 7637 6067 E: [email protected] www.ukcrc.org

Working in Partnership

12