Primary Care Research Network

Primary care is the setting for the great majority of NHS patient contacts, and will play an increasing role both in the care of patients with long term conditions (such as arthritis, asthma and heart disease) and in disease prevention and early diagnosis.

The Primary Care Research Network's (PCRN) main goal is to increase the number of patients recruited or involved in clinical trials and other well designed primary care studies. The Network will bring together a wide variety of primary care practitioners, including GPs, dentists, pharmacists and health visitors and will offer patients in primary care settings unprecedented opportunities to become involved in high quality clinical studies involving innovations in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and health care delivery in the community.

The PCRN comprises eight clinician-led Local Research Networks, providing comprehensive geographical coverage of England. Team members include a Network Manager and staff from nursing and other health professions, or life sciences backgrounds, data managers and support staff. They will work with GP practices, health centres, dental practices and in other community locations to facilitate the involvement of staff and patients in clinical studies.

The Primary Care Research Network was launched on 1 March 2007:

The NIHR CRN CC is overseeing the development of PCRN. The Director of PCRN is Professor Paul Wallace, supported by Assistant Director, Dr Patricia Ellis.

PCRN can be contacted at the following address:

Primary Care Research Network
NIHR CRN CC
Stephenson House
158-160 North Gower Street
London NW1 2ND

Tel: 020 7670 4876
Fax: 020 7670 4815
Email: alyson.m.saint@nihr.ac.uk