September 2024 Newsletter
Date: 26 September 2024
Welcome to the Forum September 2024 Newsletter
It’s that time of year again. Schools are reopening, holidays have been had. Autumn is approaching but with a bit of luck we might still get some sunny weeks ahead. It is just over a year since the new Trustees met up as a Team, in Leeds, for the first time. All but two were very new and I think it’s fair to say a little naive about what we had taken on. Maria was most certainly a hard act to follow and things had changed and were continuing to change so rapidly in the world of research. Since that meeting in Leeds, we now have four more Trustees, who bring different expertise and experience to their roles, and we are inclusive of the home nations. There is Forum representation on multiple national advisory groups, and as Trustees we have grown in confidence and we would like to think, ability.
The pace of change seems to be ever increasing with the development of the new Research Delivery Networks, National Contract Value Reviews, and Research Engagement Networks to name but a few. The R&D Forum hopes to continue to be a place of support, training, and information for the R&D Community out there – no longer just the NHS, but across all partner organisations.
Wishing you all an exciting Autumn.
Margaret Cooper
R&D Forum Trustee & Treasurer
Supporting the R&D community to achieve a Net Zero NHS
The R&D Forum (RDF) is committed to reduce its carbon footprint and support the ambition of a net zero UK health care system.
We were delighted to attend the MRC-NIHR Trials Methodology Research Partnership Greener Trials Working Group, cross-sectoral workshop “Greener Trials: Knowledge Exchange in the Regulatory Ecosystem.” in June.
Red4Research – Thank you to the community
#Red4Research took place on Friday 20th September.
#Red4Research Day aims to get as many people as possible wearing red to demonstrate their support and appreciation for all those participating, undertaking and supporting research. It was great to see the many community posts and photos supporting the campaign – thank you to all our community for their incredible efforts to highlight the campaign.
It was wonderful to showcase and celebrate the phenomenal work, learning legacy and innovative treatments/systems/techniques that have arisen from R&D.
We have included a montage of a selection of just some of our favourite moments – there were so many from the photos and videos shared.
It was also wonderful to see Edinburgh castle lighting up in support of the campaign.
RDF25 Call for Abstracts
The call for abstracts is now open for oral presentations and posters for RDF25: The 2025 R&D Forum Conference, taking place from the 18th-20th May 2025 in Manchester.
Closing date for oral abstracts is Friday 11th October 2024, and posters Friday 1st November 2024.
Further details on the call, how to submit an abstract, and timelines can be found on our website below.
National Contract Value Review (NCVR) Webinar
On September 24th, The Research and Development Forum (RDF) hosted a joint webinar with NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The purpose of the webinar was to share with the UK R&D community information regarding the introduction of Advanced Therapy Investigational Medicinal Products (ATMPs) and early phase studies into the NCVR process, which will be going live in October 2024.
A recording of the National Contract Value Review (NCVR) Webinar: Introduction of ATMPs and early phase studies into the process, and the slides that were shared at the session, can be found on our website below.
Also on the website, you will find the most recent NCVR SOP and Lead Site Checklist.
Updates from the Q&A Session and any updates to the NCVR SOP and Lead Site Checklist will be shared when they are available.
Upcoming Courses
The R&D Forum courses have been designed to support individual development in health research management, support, and leadership.
Bookings are open for our upcoming courses:
- Local Capacity and Capability for Research – October 21st & Virtual Classroom
- Getting the most out of IRAS – 28th October (1/2 Day PM) & Virtual Classroom
- Regulatory Inspection Ready – November 4th & Virtual Classroom
Full details of all our courses and events can be found on our website.
NIHR Updates
- Sponsor Portfolio Oversight app
- NIHR Clinical Research Network publishes annual stats
- Over half a million people signed up with Be Part of Research
- New virtual event – NIHR Associate PI Scheme: Launching your Research Career
- Research Practice in a Clinical Setting Training Package
- NIHR Principle Investigator Pipeline Programme
- NIHR Senior Research Leader Programme
- CRP case study: Georgia Melia
- How are the NIHR improving your research experience
- NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) Portfolio Terms and Conditions update
Statement of policy intent: international recognition of medical devices
This statement describes the draft policy for recognition by the UK of international regulators’ approvals of medical devices.
HRA: Important changes to progress and safety reports
The HRA have made some important changes to Research Ethics Committee (REC) processes for progress reports and safety reports to help reduce the burden on researchers. The changes were applied to research approved by RECs in England and Wales from 1 June, and came into effect in Scotland and Northern Ireland from Thursday 1 August.
Embedding research in the NHS
Clinical research is good for patients, the NHS and the economy. But in a health service under pressure, it’s often seen as important but not urgent.
This briefing by The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) outlines why embedding clinical research is fundamental to transforming the NHS.
10th Edinburgh Clinical Research Methodology Course
A two-day introductory course providing a comprehensive overview of methods and frameworks essential for conducting clinical research, recognising the diversity of approaches from randomised controlled trials through to qualitative methods. Participants will learn how to integrate Patient and Public Involvement into research design and delivery, as well as how to effectively engage with industry partners to advance research and promote innovation.
The course will consist of interactive lectures and opportunities for delegates to network with distinguished researchers, all of whom are recognised experts in their field.
ICCHNR QNI City Conference: 15-17 April 2025
The ICCHNR is delighted to announce their next conference in partnership with the Queen’s Nursing Institute and City, University of London.
This will be an international research conference to discuss the evidence that informs community nursing policy, education and practice in relation to all specialities in community health nursing across health care systems and populations. How can we most effectively use research to influence the pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals?
They are also delighted to share that the call for abstracts is now open. Find out more below.
Teenage & Young Adult Research – a new learning resource
The primary aim of this project is to create an age-appropriate resource which helps to inform Teenager and Young Adults about Clinical Trials, Biobanking and Genomics.
Blog – Achieving the research pillar: a research toolkit for Advanced Practitioners
In this blog, Dr Kerry Gaskin, Associate Professor of Nursing, discusses the development of an Advanced Practice Research Toolkit to enable AP teams and individuals to plan activity within the research pillar of their role.
Resources
Resources from The Research and Development Forum are there to support health and care research in the UK. Discover the latest resources on our website below.
Contacting The Research and Development 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.