Research Within The NHS Prof Alison MacLeod Director Research & Development

Research Within The NHS

Prof Alison MacLeodDirectorResearch & Development

NHS Research

• NHS recognises that research is one of its “front line” activities.

• Encourages staff to take part using NHS resources including salary costs.

Research in NHS co-ordinated by the Chief Scientist Office –

CSO an office of the Scottish Executive.

NHS Resource

• Currently used in approximately 600 non commercially funded projects

150 commercially funded projects

• Majority of projects linking universities and NHS

R&D Support Fund

• from Scottish Executive via Chief Scientist Office (CSO)

• to NHSG 2005/06 non commercial research ‘brought in’ £6.9 million to NHS Grampian

• Not research grant money

Support Fund

• Funding for ‘infrastructure’– staff time– overheads– clinic use– pharmacy

• Divided into: Support for SciencePriorities and Needs

Programmes

Support for Science

• calculated in a formula • number of Principle Investigators /

Applicants on grant applications• number of staff on ethics form • who are paid by NHSG

• amount rises or falls according to activity • grants must be awarded by ‘eligible

funders’ as defined by CSO

Priorities and Needs Programmes

• same formula but from ‘non-eligible funders’– external funders not on list– local funding eg NHS endowments– own account

• fixed sum – may rise or even be removed• must focus with strategy• NHSG – 10 programmes

Priorities and Needs Programmes in NHS Grampian

1. Imaging

2. Molecular basis of Oncogenesis/Molecular Epidemiology

3. Metabolic Structural Bone Disease

4. Molecular Medicine and Immunity

5. Disease and the Environment

6. Evaluation of Therapy and Management

7.Influencing Change in Practice and User/Care Involvement

8. Mental Health

9. Energy Regulation and Obesity

10. Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

United Kingdom Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC)

Involves 23 organisations in the UK• Government

– Department of Health– Medical Research Council– Chief Scientist Office

• Industry• Medical Charities

Why?

• NHS should be the ‘perfect environment in which to carry out high quality clinical research for the benefit of patients’

• Seems ‘harder than it needs to be’

UKCRC – Co-ordinating Body

• developing NHS infrastructure• co-ordinating clinical research

funding• co-ordinating and developing

research career pathways• streamlining the regulatory and

governance processes

‘Igniting our potential’

Research Networks

• Diabetes– Dr Donald Pearson

• Medicines for Children– Prof Peter Helms

• Stroke– Dr Mary Joan MacLeod

• Mental Health

• Chief Scientist Office requested bids for infrastructure funding

• To support additional eligibly funded research only

NHSG Granted ~£2M Over 3 Years

• ‘Real money’– Research nurses– Imaging– Laboratory services– Administrative support– Statistical support

Appropriate Project?

• Contact

Joanne.Rodger@nhs.netResearch FacilitatorExt: 55847

Good Clinical Practice

• course run in September

• plans to run more

• Research Governance states ‘all those involved in research also have a duty to ensure that they and those they manage are appropriated qualified, both by education and experience, for the role they play in relation to any research’

Research Governance Standards

The organisation has systems in place:• To ensure that consumers are involved

in the development and execution of research projects.

• To identify the involvement of consumers in research.

• To inform service users and members of the public about research undertaken within the organisation.

Monitoring

• minimum of 10% non-commercial research

• two part-time research monitors

• random selection of projects

• aim to reassure researchers with regards to compliance with regulations

Contact

• Non Commercial– Ext 52687

• Commercial• Medicines Assessment Research Unit

(MARU)– Ext 53096

www.nhsgrampian.org/randd/