Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN)

The Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) has the central objective of facilitating the development of medicines that are both safe and effective in the treatment of children. It will have a major focus on clinical trials but will also include other study designs relevant to the overall objective.

The vision is of a network which will provide leadership and a world-class environment to conduct clinical trials of medicinal products for children throughout the whole range of healthcare, and that includes the active involvement of children. This will provide considerable benefit for children through the new knowledge gained by excellent research and the improvements in care, which will follow.

• Is relevant to all aspects of the Medicines for Children agenda
• Is ambitious and will make a real difference to the health and lives of children in the UK and beyond
• Will be generated by investigators from a wide range of disciplines
• Will have a major focus on clinical trials but will also include all other study designs relevant to the overall objective
• Will be informed by the views and perspectives of children and families.

Networks
Networks have been established as follows:

• Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales (Hosted by Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust led by Dr Matthew Peak and Dr Jo Blair)
• London, South East, North, Central and East (Hosted by Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust led by Dr William van't Hoff)
• Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria (Hosted by Central Manchester NHS Trust led by Professor Peter Clayton)
• South West (Hosted by United Bristol Healthcare Trust led by Professor Adam Finn)
• Trent (Hosted by Nottingham City Hospitals NHS Trust led by Dr Alan Smyth)
• West Midlands (Hosted by Birmingham Children's NHS Trust led by Professor Warren Lenney)
• Scottish Medicines for Children Research Network (Led by Professor Peter Helms) 

Scottish Medicines for Children Research Network
The Scottish Medicines for Children Research Network was also launched in December 2006. It aims to improve the evidence base, facilitating appropriate clinical research and contributing to expanding the number of licensed products and appropriate formulations for children.

For further information, please contact Professor Peter Helms, Director, email p.j.helms@abdn.ac.uk

Children and Young People's Research Network for Wales
A Children and Young People's Research Network for Wales has been created to encourage and develop all aspects of research for the benefit of children and young people in Wales. The Chief Executive of the Network is Catriona Williams.

Clinical Studies Groups

Clinical Studies Groups have been established in the following areas:

• Anaesthesia, Pain, Intensive Care and Cardiology (APICC)
• Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Medicine
• Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
• General Paediatrics
• Methodology
• MCRN/arc Rheumatology Group
• Neonatal
• Neurosciences
• Pharmacy and Pharmacology
• Allergy, Infection and Immunity 
• Respiratory and Cystic Fibrosis
• Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
• MCRN/BAPN Nephrology

The Medicines for Children Research Network Coordinating Centre

A consortium from the University of Liverpool, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, Imperial College London, the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (University of Oxford), Liverpool Women's Hospital and The National Children's Bureau has established the Coordinating Centre for the network, led by Director, Professor Rosalind Smyth and supported by Assistant Director, Dr Vanessa Poustie.

The MCRN can be contacted at the following address:

The Medicines for Children Research Network Coordinating Centre
University of Liverpool Division of Child Health
Institute of Child Health
Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital
Alder Hey
Liverpool L12 2AP

Tel: 0151 252 5067
Fax: 0151 252 5456
Email: m.saphier@liv.ac.uk