Research in the NHS
New vision
The way in which research is organised in the NHS has changed significantly since 2006. NHS research policy ha s aimed to improve the health and wealth of the nation by creating a health research system to support high quality patient-focussed research. The overall aims are to:
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establish the NHS as an internationally recognised centre of research excellence;
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attract, develop and retain the best researchers to do people-based research
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commission research that is focussed on improving health and social care
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act as a sound custodian of public money
New organisations
Since 2006, a number of new organisations to support research through the NHS have been established.
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
The goal of the NIHR is to create 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 NIHR works with key partners involved in the different elements of NHS research. The Institute has four main parts;
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NIHR Faculty: supporting the individuals carrying out and participating in research
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NIHR Research: commissioning and funding research
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NIHR Infrastructure: providing the facilities for a thriving research environment
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NIHR Systems: creating unified, streamlined and simple knowledge management systems
Further details of the NIHR please visit their website.
National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre (NIHR CRN CC).
The National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre (NIHR CRN CC), formerly known as UKCRN Coordinating Centre (UKCRN CC), was established to support clinical research and to facilitate the conduct of trials and other well-designed studies within the NHS. As part of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC), it works towards the development of a world class infrastructure to support clinical research in the UK.
The NIHR Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) in England is one of the four networks that comprise the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN). For further information of the NIHR CRN CC please visit their website.
Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRNs)
CLRNs provide infrastructure support for study involvement. They encourage participation in the range of high quality clinical studies in the NIHR CRN CC portfolio and provide a coordinated and efficient infrastructure of research personnel and facilities to support recruitment. The structure and organisation of each CLRN varies according to the demographic make-up of the local population and the nature of the service providers within it. For further information regarding your local CLRN, please visit their web pages.
Mental Health Research Network (MHRN)
The Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) is part of and funded by the National Institute for health Research (NIHR) and is one of the Topic Specific Networks of the NIHR CRN CC(Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre).
The Network provides the NHS infrastructure to support commercial and non-commercial large scale research in mental health, including clinical trials and is managed by a partnership between the Institite of Psychiatry, King's College London and the University of Manchester.
