NIHR Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permission - Implementation Update

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) is committed to developing and implementing a robust and effective system which provides a streamlined process for gaining permission to conduct clinical research in the NHS. The system, known as the NIHR Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permission (NIHR CSP), will minimise the administrative burden placed on researchers and significantly improve the current approvals process leading to benefits for both commercial and non-commercial investigators.

The implementation of NIHR CSP is being led by UKCRN, working closely with staff in Comprehensive Local Research Networks across England. It was anticipated that implementation would begin from April 2008. However, consultation with a wide range of collaborators indicates that we cannot yet be sure that all of the components of CSP will have been in place for long enough for all key staff to be fully trained and familiar with them. For this reason, it is planned to postpone the implementation of NIHR CSP until later in 2008 to offer enough time for key staff to be in place, trained and familiar with the systems and software to be fully tested. A later, more phased approach to implementation will ensure a smoother transition for both the research and research management communities and in the longer term deliver a more robust and effective system.

Further information on revised implementation timelines will be provided as soon as possible and regular updates provided on this website throughout the development and implementation period. Please contact csp@ukcrn.org.uk with any specific queries or visit the NIHR CSP pages of the website.