What are the benefits of NIHR CSP?

The new system will link with a number of other processes alongside NHS review and permission, including protocol development, applying for and receiving funding (in the case of non-commercial research), and gaining ethics and regulatory approvals.

It will:

• Build on examples of good practice already being used in the R&D management community
• Establish time targets for key stages
• Define and carry out some checks that only need to be done once
• Minimise the administrative burden placed on researchers
• Ensure clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of sponsors, investigators, Networks and Trusts
• Ensure that researchers obtain all the necessary approvals prior to commencement of their study
• Be accessed via the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS)

The system has been developed because feedback from investigators highlighted the need to streamline the current approvals process which had become overly bureaucratic and inefficient. This led to delays in study set-up and missed recruitment targets.

Some of the difficulties faced by researchers in trying to gain approvals to conduct clinical research in the NHS include:

• Navigating the approvals system of different regulatory and governance bodies
• Different processes (including submission requirements ad study assessment)
• No agreed standards for the time taken to provide approval.

The government's R&D strategy, 'Best Research for Best Health' includes a 'Bureaucracy Busting' workstream, an element of which focuses on NIHR CSP to address the problems associated with seeking NHS permission for research. Implementation Plans giving further details are available here