We also offer advice on the development of research methodologies, methods and analysis. All initial enquiries concerning governance and research advice should be directed to: Research.Innovation@bsmhft.nhs.uk
Coordination of NIHR Portfolio Research
The R&I Department supports portfolio research within our Trust. The Department of Health has determined that studies (clinical trials and other well designed studies which involve the NHS) that are funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), other areas of Government, and NIHR non-commercial partners are automatically eligible to be included in the Portfolio.
Portfolio research in our Trust is focused within four key research programmes:
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Early intervention and prevention of psychosis
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Ethnicity and mental health
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Addictions research
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Neurodegenerative disorders and cognitive impairment
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Neuropsychiatry
There are currently (April 2011) nearly 40 portfolio research studies ongoing within these programmes across our Trust. The R&I Department works very closely with the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) Heart of England Hub which is hosted by our Trust and also based at Radclyffe House. The Hub consists of a number of Clinical Studies Officers (CSOs) whose role is to facilitate portfolio research not only in our Trust but in Trusts throughout the Heart of England region.
Supporting and Developing Portfolio Researchers within the Trust
There have been significant changes in the way R&I activity is funded throughout the NHS. In order to receive further Department of Health funding the R&I Department needs to ensure that future NIHR research bids are successful. Therefore, the R&I Department is currently developing support structures for its researchers, to ensure we have the capacity and capabilities to guarantee future success. This is being achieved in a number of ways:
Coordinating Pharmacotherapy Research in our Trust
As an organisation that values participation in commercial research as part of its research portfolio, our Trust must ensure that it’s organisational and management arrangements can support the work involved in negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry and with trial co-ordination. In 2008 a Pharmacotherapy Research Committee (PRC) was established to oversee all commercial trial activity across the Trust, and to work with and advise researchers on all aspects of clinical trial coordination, finance, management and governance. More details can be found on the pharmacotherapy research section.
The committee aims to facilitate and support those in our Trust considering pharmaceutical studies. Clearer financial arrangements would also be established at the commencement of such studies. The committee will provide a pathway for those Trust Staff considering involvement with the pharmaceutical industry and this would be based upon five main principles:
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Patients first: all proposed studies should be assessed in regards to the provision of high quality healthcare. Trials should not unduly put patients at risk and reasonable steps will be taken to mitigate such risks.
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Relevance: the committee would assess proposed studies in regards to the core business of our Trust.
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Feasibility: the committee would assist clinicians in ascertaining the feasibility of proposed studies.
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Governance: the committee would ensure that all proposed studies obtain full Research Management & Governance approval before commencement.
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Finance: the committee would ensure that all financial arrangements are agreed before commencement. This would include setting up explicit cost centres for each study and agreeing systems for invoicing and expenditure.
The membership of the committee consists of 2 consultant psychiatrists, a research nurse and representatives from pharmacy, R&I and Finance. Temporary members can also be co-opted onto the committee if and when necessary (for example proposed trials may require input from a specialist in a particular field). Dr Domingo Gonzalez and Dr Paul McDonald act as chair and secretary respectively. The PRC reports to Clinical Governance Committee through the Pharmacological Therapies Committee (PTC) and R&I Committee.
The committee is eager to stress that it should not be seen as a bureaucratic hindrance for those considering engagement with the pharmaceutical industry. The committee would hopefully alert the pharmaceutical industry to the trust’s ability to respond to proposals in a rapid and systematic way.
Research Advisory Service
An advisory service for all members of staff who are involved in research can access our advisory service. For information please contact us.
