The first port of call for any researcher with a query should be their local university or NHS R&D offices.

Information for Researchers

Applying to R&D offices for permission to conduct research
SSI Form
Streamlined R&D systems
R&D contacts
IRAS

Guidance for Researchers

The NHS R&D Forum is primarily a learning network and support organisation for those involved in planning and managing research in the NHS. Unfortunately we do not have the resources to deal with all individual enquiries from researchers. There are a number of resources available to researchers on planning, setting up and running research in the NHS.

For general advice on research, training and funding see rdinfo.leeds.ac.uk. RDInfo can also direct you to appropriate local sources of advice and expertise. Please also see the Supplementary Guidance from General Medical Council - Good practice in research and Consent to Research.

There are a number of sources of advice on designing and developing research. In England, the Research Design Services can support researchers who plan to apply to NIHR funding streams. For more information. Researchers in Scotland planning to conduct primary care based studies should contact SPCRN for early advice on feasibility, patient and professional recruitment, and support costs - http://www.sspc.ac.uk/spcrn/. In Wales, AWARD may be able to offer support - http://www.awardresearch.org.uk/. Local NHS R&D offices provide a variety of advice, support and training for researchers. Follow the link above to find the contact details of the relevant R&D office.

For information on clinical trials of medicinal products see www.ct-toolkit.ac.uk. For guidance on research involving tissues and data see www.dt-toolkit.ac.uk.

For specific questions about applying for R&D approval please see the R&D contact in the relevant NHS organisation.

UKCRC Regulatory and Governance Advice Service

The R&G Advice Service is supported by a network of regulatory and governance bodies, including the NHS R&D Forum, which prioritise queries to the Advice Service in order to provide authoritative and timely responses. The service is jointly coordinated by the UKCRN R&G Team and the MRC Regulatory Support Centre (RSC).

Further information on the UKCRC R&G Advice Service can be obtained from the following website: www.ukcrc-rgadvice.org.

Go Back>