Research Networks - Clinical research

RCN Clinical Research Nurses online community

Welcome to this brand new webpage for Clinical Research Nurses, hosted by the RCN Research Society. Please visit the website to benefit from the useful resources, and help contribute to its development.

Website: RCN Clinical Research Nurses online community

Academic Clinical Oncology and Radiobiology Research Network (ACORRN)

ACORRN - Action Radiotherapy is a new cancer charity set up to support and expand the activities of the existing Academic Clinical Oncology and Radiobiology Research Network (ACORRN). This is a highly successful cancer research network, which focuses on supporting and facilitating radiotherapy research and development in the UK in partnership with other radiotherapy stakeholders.  ACORRN - Action Radiotherapy is the only one of the UK’s cancer charities dedicated solely to supporting radiotherapy research.
 
The ACORRN website was designed to be an interactive tool to allow all those involved in radiotherapy/radiobiology research and clinical delivery to come together and share ideas and best practice. The online discussion forum is a very popular resource, and is used by members of different disciplines. Members can post questions and receive answers in a very short time.

If you are not yet a member, you can register free to access all the resources of the ACORRN Research Network.

Contact by telephone on 07719 669461 or fax 01625 529446 or by email info@acorrn.org

Website: http://www.acorrn.org or join the ACORRN Research Network by linking to http://www.acorrn.org/user?destination=research-network 

Clinical Research Networks in Wales

The Wales Office of Research and Development for Health and Social Care (WORD) has established the Clinical Research Collaboration Cymru (CRC Cymru). The aim of CRC Cymru is to provide dedicated infrastructure to improve the quality, quantity, coordination, integration, inclusiveness and speed of health and social care research in Wales. CRC Cymru works closely with other research networks and key partners across the UK.

The Welsh Cancer Trails Network (WCTN) is an umbrella organisation for clinical cancer research in Wales. WORD supports the WCTN in collaboration with Cancer Research UK.

CRC Cymru is a collaboration between multi-disciplinary thematic research networks; research infrastructure and technical support groups; specialist, professional trial units; and a Cardiff-based co-ordinating centre.

Website:  http://www.ukcrc.org/infrastructure/networks/crnwales/

European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network (ECRIN)

The European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network is a European network dedicated to improving the health of patients and citizens across the world through clinical research.
ECRIN supports, services, coordinates, and manages high-quality, independent, and fully transparent multinational clinical research. ECRIN synergizes the capacities and capabilities of national clinical research. ECRIN strives for harmonisation of European clinical research.
By facilitating clinical research across Europe, ECRIN contributes to the achievement of the 'European Research Area' and the 'society of knowledge' and adds to European competitiveness. Participants are currently Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Website: www.ecrin.org/

The Institute of Clinical Research (ICR)

ICR's mission statement is:

  • To enhance the professional identity of Members of the Institute
  • To facilitate communications between Members by providing a forum for discussion
  • To promote good relations with other healthcare related groups
  • To provide opportunities for learning and development to enhance professional competence
  • To enhance public confidence and understanding of clinical research

Website: http://www.icr-global.org/

National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Co-ordinating Centre (NIHR CRN CC)

In 2006, the Department of Health set up the National Institute for Health Research to create a world-class health system within the NHS, with the Clinical Research Network is part of this wider organisation.  At the centre of what we do is the Portfolio – a collection of high-quality clinical studies that benefit from the infrastructure provided by the Clinical Research Network. Many of these studies are Randomized Controlled Trials - considered by many in the medical profession to be the most robust form of clinical trial - although we also support other types of well-designed research as follows:

  • We run CSP - a system through which researchers can apply for permission to run a clinical study in the NHS
  • We fund research support posts in the NHS and provide training
  • We provide funding to meet the costs of using facilities such as scanners and x-rays
  • We provide practical help in identifying and recruiting patients onto Portfolio studies.

Although the Clinical Research Network operates as one organisation, we are made up of a number of different parts:

  • Six “Topic” Research Networks (covering Cancer, Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Diabetes, Medicines for Children, Mental Health and Stroke)
  • A Primary Care Research Network to support research in this part of the health service
  • A Comprehensive Clinical Research Network, which covers all other disease areas
  • Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre responsible for managing the overall performance of the Networks.

Website: www.ukcrn.org.uk

Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN)

The NICRN has been established to support the clinical research community in Northern Ireland.
The aim of the NICRN is:

  • To promote research within Northern Ireland
  • To develop close partnerships and productive working relationships with key individuals and groups across the Network and the wider research community
  • To ensure that targets, including accrual of patients into trials, are achieved and maintained

The following is a list of areas of interest for the NICRN. However this list is not exhaustive as the NICRN will consider good quality studies from other areas.

  • Dementia
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular
  • Childrens
  • Critical Care
  • Primary Care
  • Respiratory
  • Stroke
  • Vision

A formal process is required to ensure that the finite resources of the NICRN are used in a coherent and strategic manner for the benefit of the HSC.

Website: http://www.nicrn.hscni.net/

People in Research: opportunities for public involvement in clinical research

The website aims to help research organisations and researchers find members of the public to get actively involved in their work by enabling them to advertise their opportunities. Members of the public can search the opportunities database to see if there is any work that they are interested in getting involved in.

Website: People in Research

Scottish Executive Chief Scientist Office (CSO)

As part of the UK Clinical Research Network, the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office has established five topic-specific clinical research networks in Scotland to complement the Primary Care and Cancer Networks which already existed. These networks provide the infrastructure to support a range of high quality studies across many areas of disease and clinical need in Scotland.

The CSO has encouraged NHS Scotland and the clinical academic research community to plan the expansion of its clinical research activity in a collaborative way and to also work with partner networks across the UK.  The Scottish clinical research networks are:

  • Scottish Cancer Research Network
  • Scottish Dementia Network
  • Scottish Diabetes Research Network (SDRN)
  • Scottish Medicines for Children Research Network (SMCN)
  • Scottish Stroke Research Network (SSRN)
  • Scottish Mental Health Research Network
  • Scottish Primary Care Research Network (SPCRN)

Generic support has also been allocated to NHS Scotland to allow participation in research in areas outside these specific topics.

Website: http://www.ukcrc.org/infrastructure/networks/crnscotland.aspx

Scottish Research Nurse and Coordinators Network (SRNCN)

The Scottish Research Nurse and Coordinator's Network was established in 2005 to provide a resource for clinical research nurses, co-ordinators, data managers and others working in the field of clinical research.  They have held 2 conferences since this time and send regular emails to the members of the network. Though this network is primarily for staff in Scotland they welcome members from elsewhere in the UK and worldwide as many of the challenges faced are similar wherever people work. If you would to join the network or would like further information on the group please visit their website.

Website: www.srncn.scot.nhs.uk/

UK Forum for NHS Trust/Health Board research leads - nursing

The UK Forum has been developed to provide an opportunity for individuals in these roles to meet and share knowledge and experiences and provide peer support.  We also want to explore ways we can influence strategic decision making locally, regionally and nationally on issues relating to the operational management and professional support for research staff. 

Website: UK Forum for NHS Trust/Health Board research leads - nursing