On 22 September, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a pilot that analyses research participant data for NIHR-funded studies, with the aim of improving access to research for all populations.

How to participate
NHS Trusts using EDGE as their Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS) should have received an invitation to opt in to the pilot from NHS England, and 60 trusts have opted in so far. We encourage all eligible trusts to participate, especially those who are already collecting NHS numbers. After assessing the first phase of this pilot, the aim is to quickly progress to include sites using other LPMS systems.

How the pilot works
EDGE will send a monthly report of new NHS numbers from participating trusts, alongside accompanying study level information, to NHS England who will match this with the demographic data they already hold – age, sex and location. Anonymised, aggregated information will be shared with DHSC and the NIHR for analysis. The next stages of this work will explore sharing the analysis with participating trusts and adding the analysis of the ethnic diversity of research participants.

For more information or queries please contact england.researchedipilot@nhs.net or visit the pilot FAQ page.