Related Organisations

UK Clinical Research Collaboration

The UKCRN is a key component of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) which brings together the major stakeholders that influence clinical research in the UK and particularly the NHS.

The partnership was set up with Department of Health funding between the government, the NHS, the voluntary and private sectors and the public to transform the clinical research environment in the UK . It aims to take a strategic oversight of clinical research and identify gaps in capability and opportunities for action, coordinating approaches between funding bodies to develop the profile of clinical research in the UK.

The UKCRC has several interdependent workstreams:

• Building up the infrastructure in the NHS, including clinical research networks (UKCRN), experimental medicine and the development of a national framework of clinical research facilities and looking at incentives for research in the NHS
  
• Building up the research workforce for academic and other researchers
  
• Coordinating research funding activity including a strategic analysis of clinical research funding in the UK, the development of joint initiatives in public health research and the development of coherent approached to funding of network areas
  
• Streamlining the regulatory and governance processes

A subgroup of the UKCRC Board has been established to oversee the strategy and direction of the UK Clinical Research Network. The membership of that subgroup is:

Professor John Bell, Academy of Medical Sciences
Dr Diane Dunstan, Medical Research Council
Diana Garnham, Association of Medical Research Charities
Dr Russell Hamilton, English Department of Health (Chair)
Dr Geoff Lee, Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries, Association of British Healthcare Industries and Bio Industries Association.
Dr Liam O'Toole, UKCRC (Chief Executive)
Dr Alison Spaull, Scottish Executive Health Department
Professor Bob Stout, R&D Office for the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Sociall Services
Professor John Wilkinson, Welsh Assembly Government.

The board subgroup will meet on a regular basis to discuss strategic issues.

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

UKCRN is also a key component of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The NIHR is the mechanism through which the Department of Health will deliver the new NHS R&D strategy set out in “Best Research for Best Health”.

The R&D strategy outlines the direction that NHS research will take to build a world-class research environment in England. It will provide the framework through which the Department of Health will position, manage and maintain the research, research staff and infrastructure of the NHS in England and its work will focus on meeting the needs of the research community, patients and the public. A key element of the new NHS R&D Strategy is the creation of a Comprehensive NHS Research Network in England.