Information for Researchers
Research and Development Operational Capability Statement
Research and Development Operational Capability Statement.
View associated papers from NHS Bedfordshire Board Meeting, 30 March 2011:
- NHS Bedfordshire Research Support Services Update and Capability Statement
- NHS Bedfordshire Research Support Services Update
The government’s research and development strategy sets out the direction that NHS research and development will take to ensure a vibrant, world-class environment for conducting and using NHS health research.
The infrastructure for research is provided through the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Networks (NIHR CRN), which includes the local West Anglia Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN) hosted by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Over the last four years the CLRN have:
- offered support, in terms of research personnel and facilities, that is available to investigators – CLRN’s fund specialist staff, including research nurses and facilitators, to support studies
- offered funding and the procedure for accessing this funding – CLRNs award funding to support research study recruitment based on activity and NHS Support Costs
- brought in a Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permission which is accessed via the Integrated Research Application System (see information below)
The West Anglia CLRN is responsible for providing the infrastructure support for research. As well as the issues listed above, it provides advice on a range of topics including: research management and governance, working with industry, information systems, research finance, communications, study participant recruitment data, study site identification and patient and public involvement in research.
For more information, visit the West Anglia CLRN website
The local CLRN contact is Vivienne Shaw, CLRN RMG Manager on 01223 725466, email camstrad@cambridgeshire.nhs.uk.
Research Management and Governance
National Institute for Health Research Co-ordinated System for gaining NHS Permission (NIHR CSP)
The National Institute for Health Research Co-ordinated System for gaining NHS Permission (NIHR CSP) is a consistent, standardised process for gaining NHS permission in England for NIHR CRN portfolio eligible studies. The system has been designed to address all quality assurance and statutory research requirements and is intended to speed up the permission process and reduce the burden on investigators.
Applications for NHS permission for potentially eligible studies will automatically enter CSP from the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS). It will therefore no longer be necessary for investigators to apply separately to each NHS Research and Development department. However, whilst CLRNs are responsible for managing CSP, responsibility for giving permission for research and development remains with NHS trusts.
HR Procedures for investigators
The CLRN is leading on human resources procedures for researchers. The research passport system works to create an efficient, consistent national approach.
Procedures will differ depending on the status of the investigator. In summary, investigators who have an existing contractual relationship (substantive employment, honorary clinical contract) with an NHS trust will require a letter of access whilst investigators without an existing contractual relationship will proceed via the research passport system.
For more information on the human resources procedures, please visit http://www.nihr.ac.uk/systems/Pages/systems_research_passports.aspx.
Non-NIHR research permissions and research and development function
The Primary Care Research Management and Governance Centre offers an equivalent research management and governance service and research and development service across NHS Bedfordshire, NHS Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, NHS Luton and NHS Peterborough. This service addresses permissions for non NIHR sponsorship, contracts, research audit and monitoring and research support services throughout the lifecycle of the research, trust flexibility and sustainability funding processes and trust bid processes. The local contact can be found below.
Advice and support
The first point of call should be the Primary Care Research Management and Governance Centre at NHS Cambridgeshire, which provides a service to NHS Bedfordshire, NHS Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, NHS Luton and NHS Peterborough. The local contact is Vivienne Shaw on 01223 725466 or email camstrad@cambridgeshire.nhs.uk.
Staff at the centre should be able to resolve most queries but can refer the matter on to the CLRN if they are unable to provide a solution.
Advice and support is also available on the West Anglia CLRN RM&G website.
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