UK Forum for NHS Trust/Health Boards research leads (nursing)

Corporate research lead nurse roles (or equivalent) are relatively new roles whose common aim is to develop working models of employment and professional support for the clinical research workforce employed by NHS Trusts and/or Scottish/Welsh Health Boards regardless of funding sources. 

They play a key role in providing strategic professional leadership and direction for both the organisation and the workforce and in developing an effective research infrastructure to support clinical research staff (essentially nurses but also AHP’s and midwives). This involves identifying clear lines of managerial and research accountability and providing assurance to organisations in relation to patient safety and governance issues for example

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.

Why the need for this Forum?

• Trust/Health Board leads feel the need for a support network as they do not all fall under a Clinical Research Facility (CRF) or Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN)
• Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales do not have National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) CLRN or indeed Trusts
• Many have accountability and responsibility for non NHS research workforce such as university researchers and work with commercial companies working within NHS environments
• Many issues are related to operational management and the conflict/challenges of working within front line clinical practice

Whilst the forum is very much in its infancy the importance of developing links with existing network’s/forums e.g. CLRN/UKCRF to ensure a joined up approach and avoid duplication is clearly recognised.

The current membership has been developed purely by word of mouth. However it is open to all Lead Nurses (and/or equivalent) who have strategic and/or managerial responsibility within a Trust/Health Board primarily for clinical research nurses but also other groups within the clinical research workforce.

For further information please contact

Forum Co-ordinator
Gail Holmes
Lead Nurse
Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 0161 906 7542
Email: gail.holmes@cmft.nhs.uk