Working with Western Comprehensive Local Research Network WCLRN Helen Jones Senior Manager, WCLRN PCRN, 25 March 2009

1. Working with Western Comprehensive Local Research Network (WCLRN)Helen JonesSenior Manager, WCLRNPCRN, 25 March 2009

2. Western CLRN Largest of 25 CLRNs Geographically Population: 3.6 million 29 NHS trusts At least 6 HEIs

3. Western CLRN 10 TCRNs covering some/ all of our WCLRN area: Central South Coast Cancer Research Network Dorset Cancer Research Network Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire Cancer Research Network Three Counties Cancer Research Network Thames Valley Cancer Research Network Peninsula Stroke Research Network South Coast DeNDRoN South West DeNDRoN West Mental Health Research Network Hub South West Medicines for Children Research Network South West PCRN

4. Western CLRN Core Team Contacts Stephen Falk, Clinical Director Sue Bulley, Co-Clinical Director Helen Jones, Senior Manager Sue Taylor, Lead RM&G Manager Mike Lacey, Information Manager Hope Douglas, Administrator

5. Western CLRN Philosophy Substantially a devolved network Devolved model of funding allocation- RM&G and delivery funding is allocated as a devolved budget for the member organisations Devolved work stream areas e.g. Industry, the Research Passport System Generic research infrastructure- no isolated research professionals Build on existing strengths and collaborations RM&G consortia RM&G function integrates with non-portfolio work Geographical and disease area collaborations Develop national leadership from the south west

6. Western CLRN Structure/ Groups Western CLRN Structure: Senior Management Team- Clinical Directors, Senior Manager- meets weekly WCLRN Executive Group- primary care, secondary and tertiary care and mental health and TCRN, HEI representation. Geographical coverage- meets monthly WCLRN Board- every NHS member organisation represented- meets quarterly Western CLRN Groups: TCRNs/ PCRN R&D Managers Higher Education Institutions Local Priority/ Specialty Groups

7. Western CLRN- Funding RM&G: to support the full range of CLRN-related research management and research governance activities Delivery funding: includes sessional support (costs of clinicians who are engaged in portfolio research alongside their other clinical duties and those who work alongside these clinicians e.g. research nurses) and general service support (any NHS support required by the research other than that provided via other funding elements) Key service support: to identify and overcome local ‘blocks’ that exist in the provision of clinical service support for Portfolio research. Intended to pay for the re-engineering of the processes for the provision of pharmacy and imaging support Flexibility and Sustainability Funding: to support the salary of NIHR faculty (or potential faculty) where that salary is not supported by other NIHR funding. Can be used to support time between grants, time spent contributing to wider research endeavour

8. Support for Primary Care 1 08/09 WCLRN is committed to providing service support to allow access for patients throughout the network to the full range of NIHR portfolio studies RM&G and Delivery Funding 2008/09 WCLRN committed up to £822k for primary care delivery funding distributed among PCTs. In total, around £675k was spent on primary care delivery funding (including contribution to PCIS)- £545 on delivery alone Supported key NIHR portfolio studies across WCLRN such as DESCARTES, Million Women Study, HARRP, the Birthplace Study Also committed, £125k for RM&G in primary care in 2008/09 Funding for infrastructure development 2008/09 Allocated £80k for infrastructure development e.g. Research Nurses, Research Administrators

9. Support for primary care 09/10 RM&G and Delivery Funding 2009/10 WCLRN is likely to be committing up to £1M on primary care delivery funding (including contribution to PCIS)- £750k on delivery alone Based on an activity based funding model- the number of primary care studies on the NIHR portfolio by member NHS organisations between 31 April 2008 until 2 March 2009 Managed through a centralised system for accessing primary care delivery funding through WCLRN host organisation- UH Bristol Also, likely to commit around £250k for RM&G in primary care in 2009/10 Funding for infrastructure development 2009/10 Allocated £130k for infrastructure development e.g. Research Nurses, Research Administrators

10. Working with PCRN 1 PCRN Support PCRN SW North Hub (Bristol base and surrounding area) & PCRN SW East Hub (Southampton base and surrounding area) Part funding for a Research Officer in both hubs to: provide additional officer time to recruit practices and patients into studies engage practices across the whole geographical area increase the number of practices actively engaged in portfolio studies Increase the number of patients recruited by practices into studies Funding for primary care Clinical Leads for one session a week in both hubs to: provide strategic direction and leadership provide local knowledge on research strategy across the PCRN SW provide local clinical leadership

11. Working with PCRN 2 Streamlined system for Flexibility and Sustainability funding Developed in 2008/09 Further develop for 2009/10 PCRN SW primary care study costing template Endorsed by WCLRN management team Member PCTs encouraged to use it Will feature prominently in centralised system for managing primary care delivery funding in 2009/10 PCRN SW Primary Care Incentive Scheme (PCIS) Fully supported by WCLRN Funding commitment in 2008/09 of £130k Based on predicted figures from PCRN, funding commitment of up to £330k in 2009/10

12. Western CLRN- Local Priority Areas Local Priority/ Specialty Groups in development Clinical Leads appointed for most groups 1 National Specialty Group Chair - Urogenital

13. Western CLRN- RM&G NIHR CSP went live in the NHS in England from 18 November 2008 for NIHR Portfolio studies will streamline the processes by which NHS Trusts provide permission for new research will reduce duplication in NHS review processes currently in a transition phase (an intensive period of refinement and enhancement) up until 31 March 2009, when CSP will become compulsory for all NHS organizations So far, WCLRN has received 28 studies through CSP, for which we are the Lead CLRN for 12 (6 of these include primary care) Research Passport System Standardised approach to issuing honorary research contracts to researchers Forms part of the HR Good Practice Resource Pack: http://www.nihr.ac.uk/systems_research_passports.aspx Recent project to support the implementation of the Research Passport System National implementation plan which includes CLRN Progress Reporting and full implementation by Summer 2009 Local implementation plan: use a staged approach to implementation starting with the algorithm (in above guidance) across WCLRN by 01 April 2009

14. Western CLRN- Industry Industry Managers being appointed in CLRNs with responsibility for: managing and supporting CLRN feasibility Investigator/site identification facilitating the coordination of local site set up processes (including support services, costing and contract negotiations, resource allocation) and; actively performance managing adopted CLRN studies to ensure local recruitment is met on time, on target and to a high quality. WCLRN is using a devolved approach- individuals with expertise across the network area sharing the role: 1 WCLRN Industry Lead 4 individuals contributing across member NHS trusts 1 of whom is the WCLRN Industry Lead for Primary Care Need to work closely with PCRN on Industry Liaison

15. Western CLRN- Training & Workforce Development Lead Research Nurses are being appointed in CLRNs who will be the strategic lead for all research support staff across WCLRN includes all aspects of research including expert practice, education, training, workforce development and leadership will take a lead on WCLRN’s general training, education and workforce development. will supervise the management of generic research staff, and in conjunction with WCLRN Local Specialty/ Priority Group Leads, will advise the direction of resources to enable appropriate support for comprehensive portfolio studies across the Network ensuring that local recruitment is met on time, on target and to a high standard will also work clinically to maintain clinical competence and provide expert advice and support across the WCLRN WCLRN would like to take a devolved approach to this post Recently called for Expressions of Interest in February 2009 Will soon formally advertise the post Need to work closely with PCRN on training and workforce development

16. Working in partnership:Links with CLRN, TCRNs and PCRN in the South West More opportunities for collaboration: Training and education Patient and Public Involvement Industry Liaison Provide national leadership from the south west Continue to develop collaborative working through the SW Network Managers meetings and WCLRN TCRN meetings

17. Thank you!Contact details: Email: HelenZ.Jones@uhbristol.nhs.ukTel: 0117 342 0025The Western Comprehensive Local Research Network operates as part of the NIHR Comprehensive Clinical Research Network in England. It is part of the National Institute for Health Research and forms part of the UK Clinical Research Network. The Networks support and deliver high quality clinical research studies.