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October 2023 Newsletter

Date: 31 October 2023

Welcome to the Forum October 2023 Newsletter

As I write, I can visibly see the changes starting outside the window. I hold Autumn as one of my favourite months. The huge variety in beautiful colours, the swoosh of the leaves under your feet, crisp mornings and the first fire. I’ve recently moved into a house with an open fire, so I’ll be making full use and hogging the nearest chair!

When trees lose their leaves they fall to the floor, providing a warm comfort blanket and protection and a basis for mulch or compost to aid new growth. As we review, change and evolve in our R&D community, it’s important to remember our solid foundations that will strengthen new and emerging growth as we move towards Spring.

I look forward to representing the Forum in my new role on the Executive and moving forward in our new and emerging environment.

Best Wishes,
Carolyn Maloney, NHS RDF Trustee

RDF24 Update

Bookings now open

The NHS Research and Development Forum is delighted to announce that bookings for RDF24 are now open.

RDF23 was held in Newcastle in May this year and saw over 850 people attend over three days. RDF24 will build on this successful return to our in-person Annual Conference.

Booking early will allow you to take advantage of the Early Bird Price for RDF24. Visit our website to explore booking options.

Book your place for RDF24

Have your say at RDF24

The RDF24 Programme Content Committee are inviting abstracts for presentations and posters at RDF24.

Presentations and Posters should relate to the process, the structure, improving efficiency, improving quality, promoting best practice or adding value in R&D studies, teams, departments or organisations.

Closing dates for abstracts:

  • Oral Presentations: 30th November 2023
  • Posters: 31st December 2023

Visit our website below for more information.

Submit an abstract for RDF24

UK Research Finance Working Group Update

Message sent on behalf of Sue Keenan

Philip Smith is now stepping down as co-chair of the UKRD/RDF Finance Working Group. Sue Keenan, Working group Chair would like to personally thank Philip Smith for his help and support in creating the UKRD/RDF Finance Working Group, and in driving forward so many of its initiatives, in particular the finance guidance. A deputy chair will be announced soon.

Evidence for Commissioning Working Group Update

Rachel Illingworth, Chair of the Evidence for Commissioning Group, has decided to step down. Shona Haining, RDF trustee would like to extend a big thank you to Rachel for her leadership, ideas and support for this important working group. The Evidence for Commissioning Group is currently evolving into a ICB Statutory Duties Group. This is currently in set-up and we will keep you updated. Rachel will remain an active member of the new group.

Upcoming Courses

Please see below what courses we have available between now and the end of 2023:

We are currently working on the course schedule for 2024 and hope to release the course dates soon.

NIHR Updates

Universal Letter of Assurance: Improving Access to Research in wider health and care settings

Guidance on issuing the Universal Letter of Assurance (ULOA) is now available following its development after a pilot phase and analysis.

The Universal Letter of Assurance (ULOA) is a model of good practice that has been developed to assist in streamlining access for NHS and Higher Education Institution (HEI) researchers in the delivery of research in a range of settings including (but not limited to) care homes, local authorities, charities, hospices, schools and prisons as well as the independent sector.

Read more here

New Resources

Resources from the NHS Research and Development Forum to support health and care research in the UK:

  • Information Governance Information for Organisations Participating in Research Studies – Joint Statement
  • A research communications toolkit
  • Capacity and Consent to Research

Read more here

National Contract Value Review – Updated Webpage

NHS England are very pleased to be able to share the link to the newly refreshed webpage.

They would like to thank all those who have had input in shaping this and invite all to share/share the link via your communication channels.

Read more here

National Contract Value Review (NCVR) process stage 2 expansion begins in October

From October 2023, local price negotiations of commercial research for late phase studies will stop. This will be the case for all NHS organisations as the National Contract Value Review (NCVR) process stage 2 commences. It is exactly one year since stage 1 started. This marks another milestone in the UK’s progress towards achieving globally competitive study set-up times.

Read more here

Contacting the R&D Forum

As a reminder, should you need to contact the Forum the best way is via email which is info@rdforum.org.uk

The latest job vacancies displayed on our website.

 

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