Research policy
Research policy and research strategy within the UK, and particularly within the NHS, has had and will continue to have a huge impact on research in nursing. Here we identify organisations and publications relevant to the field of research policy/strategy.
This section of the website offers guidance on research policy/strategy in the 4 countries of the UK, Europe and beyond.
UK wide
RCN Policy
The RCN Policy Unit is part of a UK-wide policy team which is helping to not only interpret developments in health and social care but influence, shape and inform. Each country has its own challenges and democratic structures, so it may be the case that approaches differ or some parts of the information will be country specific - we will make every effort to highlight that and provide links to appropriate staff and agencies internally and externally to the RCN.
We work with a wide range of stakeholders, including government and think tanks, on the development and implementation of policy, to ensure nursing influence and voice. We also undertake futures work in relation to the nursing workforce, which includes education, regulation and skill mix. We have established a number of processes that help our members to engage in the process of policy development. This includes surveys, workshops, seminars and briefings.
Website: RCN Policy Unit
England
Department of Health (DH) Policy Research Programme (PRP)
The Policy Research Programme (PRP) is a national programme of research dedicated to providing an effective evidence base for policy-making in the Department of Health. It provides information to the Secretary of State for Health and his Ministers directly and through policy directorates in the Department and covers all aspects of the Department's policy-making activity. It works alongside other national research programmes and consults when necessary with policy research programmes in the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) whose work is primarily of relevance to the NHS.
Website: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Researchanddevelopment/Policyresearchprogramme/index.htm
Best Research for Best Health: a new national health research strategy [Department of Health, 2006]
This publication sets out the goals for research and development over the next five years and demonstrates the commitment to creating a vibrant research environment that contributes to the health and wealth of England.
Website: http://snipurl.com/ly5r
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
The Government's health research strategy for England, Best Research for Best Health, is creating a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals working in world-class facilities conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public. The goals of Best Research for Best Health have been translated into NIHR work strands, which have started to deliver results. The goals are to:
- Establish the NHS as an internationally recognised centre of research and excellence (NIHR infrastructure)
- Attract, develop and retain the best research professionals to conduct people-based research (NIHR Faculty)
- Commission research focussed on improving health and social care (NIHR Research). (There is also a very useful diagram showing where the current NIHR work strands fit into the innovation pathway - http://www.nihr.ac.uk/research/Pages/default.aspx)
- Strengthen and streamline systems for research management and governance (NIHR Systems)
- Act as sound custodians for public money for public good
The NIHR Advisory Board, which includes Chief Executives of NHS Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities as well as leaders of academic organisations, provides advice and support on the strategic development of NIHR and the strategy.
Detailed Implementation plans for each element of the NIHR are published on the website and are updated every 6 months or when there is significant change.
Contact: NIHR
Email: enquiries@nihr.ac.uk
Website: http://www.nihr.ac.uk/
Northern Ireland
HSC R&D Division, Northern Ireland Public Health Agency
The HSC R&D strategy, Research for Health & Wellbeing, places emphasis on education and training, which is seen as an essential investment to foster a research-literate HSC and improve the research workforce capacity in the HSC and the related academic community. The Education and Training (E&T) strand encompasses a number of schemes aimed at increasing the ability of researchers to conduct high quality R&D. Please contact HSC R&D Division in the first instances for information about upcoming opportunities for the nursing family.
Email: Nicola.armstrong@hscni.net
Tel: 028-9055 3617
Website: http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/ – currently under development (Dec 2010)
Health and Social Care R&D Strategy 2007 - 2012 [Northern Ireland, 2007]
This new HSC R&D Strategy builds on the success of Research for Health & Wellbeing and sets the scene for HPSS research & development for the next five years.
Website: http://www.centralservicesagency.n-i.nhs.uk/files/rdo_hpss_rd_strategy/file/R_D2007.pdf (PDF, 1.13MB)
Scotland
RCN Scotland Research Task and Finish Group (2011), "Nursing research in Scotland: why it is important and what support is needed" (PDF, 34KB). The review date for this document is July 2013.
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) (2011), "National guidance for clinical academic research careers for nursing, midwifery and allied health professions in Scotland"
Chief Scientist Office (CSO)
CSO commissions work in specific priority areas, supports research initiated by the research community in Scotland, and advises the Scottish Government Health Directorates on how research contributes to improvements in health and healthcare. CSO in 2008-9 invested over £66 million in NHS related research. Funding is focused on defined priorities or NHS needs and follows the Research Strategy for Health and Healthcare.
Website: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cso/index.htm
Research Strategy for Health and Healthcare [Scottish Government, 2003]
This document aims to ensure that healthcare delivery is informed by quality research. In achieving this aim it is essential that there is robust governance of research and that the public can place confidence in all aspects of the process. Patients must benefit from scientific advances and healthcare organisations need to make the most effective use of the resources at their disposal.
Website: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cso/publications/strategy/rshh-00.htm
Choices and Challenges - the strategy for research and development for nursing and midwifery in Scotland [Scottish Government, December 02]
Sets the agenda for the future of nursing and midwifery research and development as indicated in Caring for Scotland 2001.
Website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/12/15813/13933
Wales
Wales Office of Research & Development for Health & Social Care (WORD)
In Wales, March 2009, the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR) was launched. WORD is currently developing NISCHR. NISCHR will be the operational arm of WORD and will have the following key functions:
- promote excellence through the creation of a Faculty and through new competitive programmes
- develop the R&D role of the NHS and Social Care services
- build further partnerships between the Welsh Assembly Government and other organisations
Website: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/health/research/word/?lang=en
"Realising the potential" A Strategic Framework for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting in Wales into the 21st Century. Briefing Paper 6. "Achieving the potential through research and development" A framework for Realising the Potential through Research and Development in Wales. [Welsh Assembly Government, February 2004]
This 6th Briefing Paper clarifies the contribution of nurses, midwives and health visitors to this crucial activity, and provides a clear strategy to help them achieve this as part of Realising the Potential. It covers a wide scope of activity and it is the result of careful debate and discussion
between education, practice and researchers in an attempt to set key goals that might increase the amount and quality of research produced and applied within health care in Wales. Joyce Kenkre, Professor of Primary Care at the University of Glamorgan has been seconded to the Welsh Assembly Government Division of Nursing within the Public Health and Health Professions Department to take forward the strategy. Joyce can be contacted via email: Joyce.Kenkre@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK
Website: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/documents/paper6-e.pdf (PDF, 188K)
Europe and International
European Charter for Researchers
The European Charter for Researchers is a set of general principles and requirements which specifies the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers as well as of employers and/or funders of researchers. The aim of the Charter is to ensure that the nature of the relationship between researchers and employers or funders is conducive to successful performance in generating, transferring, sharing and disseminating knowledge and technological development, and to the career development of researchers. The Charter also recognizes the value of all forms of mobility as a means for enhancing the professional development of researchers.
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index_en.cfm?l1=0&l2=3
European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme
The European Commission's seventh research framework programme for 2007 to 2013 identifyies health as one of the nine core themes. For the first time, international co-operation will be integral to the framework by establishing a European Research Council which will identify and fund excellence in research that has been assessed by scientists.
Website: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html
Historical documents
A review of UK health research funding: the Cooksey report [2006]
On 31 March 2006, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, appointed Sir David Cooksey to lead a review to build agreement on the best institutional arrangements for the new single fund for health research announced in the Budget. The review concludes that, although good progress has been made in some areas further work is needed to ensure that publicly funded health research is carried out in the most effective and efficient way, and to facilitate rapid translation of research findings into health and economic benefits. The report recommends specific actions which Government can take to achieve this. A copy of the report is available.
Website: http://snipurl.com/14g3b
The Strategic Learning and Research Advisory Group (StLaR) HR Plan Project [2003 - 4]
This project was commissioned by the Strategic Learning and Research advisory group for health and social care (StLaR) jointly chaired by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills.
- Phase I of this project took place between September and December 2003. The objectives for phase I involved the mapping of the health and social care educator/researcher workforce, identifying the nature of the workforce and highlighting current HR issues. This piece of work represents therefore, a 'snap-shot' of pertinent issues, which is time-limited.
- The Phase 2 Strategic Report contains 15 recommendations together with a discussion around the drivers and barriers affecting recruitment and retention of Health and Social Care Educators and Researchers. The report was presented and accepted at the June 2004 meeting of StLaR. This Phase 2 report forms the basis of the final HR Plan submitted to StLaR November 2004.
Many of the recommendations from this project formed the basis of the UKCRC publication, Developing the best research professionals (2007)
Website: http://snipurl.com/lp0xb [www_dh_gov_uk]
Promoting research in nursing and the allied health professions - The Taskgroup Three report [November 2001]
This report was commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department of Health (DH).
Website: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/Pubs/hefce/2001/01_64.htm
Making a Difference: strengthening the nursing, midwifery and health visiting contribution to health and healthcare [Department of Health, 1999]
Website: http://snipurl.com/2aupw [www_dh_gov_uk]
Building a European-wide Nursing Research Strategy, Final Report. The Salamanca report. [Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 1999]
Website: Salamanca 1999 (MS Word, 426K)