Primary Care Research in the UK the role of the Primary Care Research Network Paul Wallace UKCRN Dep

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Primary Care Research in the UK the role of the
Primary Care Research NetworkPaul WallaceUKCRN
Deputy Director, Primary Care,Director PCRN
Launch of PCRN-South West 12th September 2007
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Scope of presentation

• Update on development of PCRN
• Illustrate role of PCRN within UKCRN
• Clarify relationships with TCRN and CLRNs
• Share ideas about future development of research
  within PCRN

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Background

• Historical limited involvement of primary care in
  clinical research
• 1997 Mant report - subsequent establishment of
  research networks across UK
• Main focus on capacity building
• Wide variation between networks in structure,
  function and outcomes
• Establishment of UKCRN, based on success with
  NCRN

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Accrual to NCRN Portfolio studies English Cancer
Research Networks
Baseline pre-NCRN 3.5
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New health research strategy

• Vision to improve the health and wealth of the
  nation through research
• To create a health research system in which the
  NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in
  world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge
  research, focused on the needs of patients and
  the public.

Research and Development Knowledge for
Health and Social Care
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A whole system approach
UKCRC
Clinical Trials Unit
Funders
Experimental Medicine
Clinical Research Networks CC
Clinical Studies Group
Patients and Public
Primary Care Networks
Pharma Biotech
Project Funders
UKCRN-CC
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Remit of the UKCRN

• to develop mechanisms to ensure that patients
  and healthcare professionals from all parts of
  the country are able to participate in and
  benefit from clinical research

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UKCRN Coordinating Centres
Professor Paul WallaceDeputy Director Primary
Care
Professors Janet Darbyshire Peter SelbyUKCRN
CC and PCRN
Professor Gary FordDirector, Stroke Research
Network
Professor David Cameron Director, National
Cancer Research Network
Professor Ros SmythDirector, Medicines for
Children Research Network
Professor Til WykesDirector, Mental Health
Research Network
Professors Martin Rossor, Director, and Ian
McKeith Co-Director, Dementias and
Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network
Professor Des JohnstonDirector, Diabetes
Research Network
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Primary Care Research Network

• Its purpose is to strengthen the evidence-base
  for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and
  management of illness and disease in primary care

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The PCRN LRNs

• Central England
• East of England
• East Midlands and
• South Yorkshire
• Greater London
• Northern Yorkshire
• North West
• South East
• South West

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The PCRN LRNs

• Partnerships between practices and academics and
  host NHS trust
• Distinct models, building on strengths of
  previously established research networks
• Funding levels limited 250k pa per LRN
• Provision for infrastructure
• Clinical lead
• Network Manager
• Recruitment officers
• Data managers
• Administrative staff
• Comprehensive geographical coverage in England

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PCRN LRN activities and Research Ready

• Recruitment of staff
• Identify practice interested/involved in research
• On-line research accreditation

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Building the primary care research portfolio
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The PCRN portfolio

• A national PCRN portfolio will be established
  with the principal focus on
• Prevention
• Screening and early diagnosis
• Management of long term conditions
• Each LRN will elect to support a number of
  studies from the national PCRN research portfolio.

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Relationship with Topic Specific Research
Networks (TCRNs)

• TCRN trials in primary care
• PCRN trials across TCRNs and Comprehensive
  Research Network
• e.g. stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular
• Dual portfolio registration

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The Comprehensive Research Network

• Delivery of trials outside of topic specific
  networks
• Allocation of NHS Service Support
• costs for all studies on the NIHR portfolio
• Facilitation of the research process
• - central sign off
• - locality checks
• - research passports
• Infrastructure support research management,
  nurses and clinical sessions.

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PCRN management structures

• Executive management group
• PCRN Clinical Leads and Network Managers
• PCRN Stakeholders Group
• Clinical Studies Adoption Committee
• UKCRN Primary Care Research Strategy Group.

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Role of the PCRN in the UKCRN

• Focus of all research in the UKCRN portfolio
  which is conducted in primary care potentially
  up to 30.

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• Leadership
• Skills
• Commitment

Thank you!