Research Networks - overarching (UK)

RCN Research Society

The RCN Research Society's aim is to promote research in nursing and to support nurses in whatever capacity they work.

Website: http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/researchanddevelopment/rs

CHAIN (Contact, Help, Advice and Information Network)

CHAIN is a successful online mutual support network for people working in health and social care. The Network originated more than 11 years ago in the NHS Research & Development programme. It is multi-professional and cross organisational, and is designed to connect like-minded health and social care practitioners, educators, researchers and managers.  There are currently over 7000 members including 1500 Nurses, Midwives and other Allied Health Professionals. CHAIN is FREE to join and use. To join please just complete a membership form from website. We look forward to welcoming you into CHAIN!

Website: http://chain.ulcc.ac.uk/chain/index.html (click on 'join' to register).

Alliance for Self Care Research

The Alliance for Self Care Research is a consortium of the universities of Aberdeen, Abertay, Dundee, Robert Gordon, St Andrews and Stirling and their local NHS organisations that serve a significant proportion of Scotland's population. The Alliance has two main aims:

  • to undertake rigorous research to provide an evidence base for 'enhancing self-care';
  • to build capacity and capability amongst nurses, midwives and allied health professionals

Website: http://www.ascr.ac.uk/

Centre for Integrated Healthcare Research (CIHR)

CIHR is one of three research consortia set up in Scotland in 2004/2005 to develop research capacity in Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions. The CIHR involves a collaboration between Queen Margaret University College, The University of Edinburgh and Napier University and NHS Lothian, Border and Lanarkshire. The CIHR has three programmes of research:

  • Early years and parenting
  • Improving the management of enduring conditions
  • Maximising recovery from acute illness and trauma

In addition the CIHR will be focusing on research related to the fields of mental health, public health and intervention.

Website: http://www.cihr.org.uk/

HealthQwest

HealthQWest is an innovative research consortium for the West of Scotland for Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions comprising the National Health Service Scotland and six Higher Education Institutes [Glasgow Caledonian University (lead), and the Universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Stirling, Paisley and Bell College]. We have established:

  • 3 research programmes (Gerontology, Decision Making, and Function for Living),
  • 5 research communities (Musculoskeletal, Neurological Conditions, Psychosocial Health, Systematic Reviewers, and Community & Public Health)
  • 2 networks (Consumer Network and the West of Scotland Hub of the National Physiotherapy Research Network).

We also have a HealthQWest Graduate School that also includes Dublin City University.

Website: http://www.healthqwest.org/

The Health Services Research Network

The Health Services Research Network (HSRN) is the representative body of health services researchers in the UK and works to promote health services research and its use in policy making, management and practice. It aims to connect all universities, commercial and professional organisations, charities and NHS bodies with an interest in HSR. It defines health services research as all research that underpins improvements in the way health services are financed, organised, planned and delivered, and includes health technology assessments and health policy research.

Website: www.nhsconfed.org/hsrn

NHS Networks

NHS Networks is a means of promoting and connecting the many networks which exist throughout the NHS - and encouraging the formation of new ones. Our on-line register lists nearly 500 health networks and hosts many small networks which do not have the resources to manage a website. NHS Networks also carries a wide range of useful information, links and downloads, organised thematically and fully searchable. We have a popular news page which is updated daily and a range of busy discussion forums.

Website: http://www.networks.nhs.uk

The NHS Research and Development Forum

The network for R&D management in health and social care. The NHS R&D Forum is a network for those involved in managing and supporting R&D in health and social care. Our aim is to improve the environment for research in health and social care by facilitating and encouraging sharing of best practice, and working with other organisations. Membership of the Forum is free and open to anyone involved in or interested in managing and planning research and development in the NHS or social care. Joining the Forum ensures that you receive regular email newsletters, keeping you informed of conferences and other activities of the Forum..

Website: http://www.rdforum.nhs.uk/

Service Delivery and Organisation Network (SDON)

The SDO Network supports NHS managers to use research to improve and develop the services they manage. The Network offers a range of services customised to the needs of senior, middle and new NHS managers. Services for its members include events which bring together the latest learning from research and the experiences of front-line NHS managers; action learning sets; a chief executives forum; academic fellowship placements; and support in conducting and sourcing the latest research. Membership is free. The SDO Network is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) SDO programme.

Website: http://www.nhsconfed.org/SDONetwork