Research & Development (R&D) Strategy 2012 to 2016 Sustaining Growth

Transcription

1 Research & Development (R&D) Strategy 2012 to 2016 Sustaining Growth Document Status Version: 1.0 Approved DOCUMENT CHANGE HISTORY Initiated by Date Author Clinical Development & Effectiveness (CDE) First draft V0.1 written January 2012 Theresa Foster Research Manager Version Date Comments (i.e. viewed, or reviewed, amended approved by person or committee) Draft V0.2 February 2012 Theresa Foster Research Manager Draft V.03 March 2012 Presented to CDE Group for comments Draft V0.4 March 2012 Theresa Foster Research Manager Draft V0.5 April 2012 Theresa Foster and John Martin incorporated comments from March 2012 EMT Draft V0.6 May 2012 Theresa Foster incorporated comments from Gail Butler Page 1 of 12

2 Document Reference Recommended at Date Approved at Date Review date of approved document Equality Impact Assessment Linked procedural documents Dissemination requirements Checklist completed? Part of Trust s publication scheme Directorate: Clinical QRAC April 2012 Trust Board April 2012 April 2014 every 2 years from approval date Completed and attached in Appendix A R&D Policy V2.2 Trust website and intranet No Yes The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust has made every effort to ensure this policy does not have the effect of discriminating, directly or indirectly, against employees, patients, contractors or visitors on the grounds of age, ethnic origin, gender, transgender, sexual orientation, marital status (including civil partnerships), religion & belief, maternity and pregnancy or disability. This policy will apply to all staff regardless of position or status includes volunteers. All East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust policies can be provided in alternative formats. Page 2 of 12

3 Contents Paragraph Page 1. Introduction 4 2. Purpose 4 3. Duties 5 4. Definitions 5 5. Development 5 6. Ensure high quality research is undertaken 6 7. Promote and raise the profile of Trust research culture 6 8. Maintain a support and governance function 7 9. Develop capacity & capability to undertake high quality research Ensure the findings of research are fed back into practice Seek collaborations to develop appropriate research projects Comprehensive Local Research Network R&D Programme development Funding Equality Impact Assessment Process for Monitoring Compliance and Effectiveness 9 17 Standards / Key Performance Indicators Summary References 10 Appendices Appendix A Monitoring Table 11 Appendix B Equality Impact Assessment Executive Summary 12 Page 3 of 12

4 1. Introduction The vision of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Government policy through the NHS Constitution confirmed the commitment of the NHS to the promotion and conduct of research to improve the current and future health and care of the population. Most recently, the Plan for Growth (2011) highlighted how health research has a key role in the national economy as well as in improving health and patient care. As Ambulance Services modernise to meet growing expectations, development decisions need to be increasingly underpinned by quality evidence which research can provide. Evidence-based medicine has become one of the major driving forces in the NHS, with an impact on education, policy making and research. Evidencebased medicine requires new skills of the clinician to ensure informed clinical decision making and practice development. Research has been recognised by the Trust as a crucial element in the delivery of evidence-based care for its patients. This document declares the intended R&D Strategy for the Trust for the period 2012 to 2016, reflecting the continued commitment of the Trust in delivering key services that are ultimately based on sound evidence. This Sustaining Growth Strategy builds on the progress made during the timeframe of the first Trust Research Strategy 2008 to That period saw the Trust develop Research Support Services and move to being research active and successfully undertaking and delivering high quality research projects for the first time (projects included SAFER1, QSN and ASCQI). Year on year accruals increased from a baseline of 34 in 2009/10, to 313 in 2010/11, and 555 in 2011/12. Indeed, during the latter part of the first Strategy period the Trust was recognised by the NIHR as the second most research active ambulance Trust in England. 2. Purpose This document sets out the intended plan for the continued advancement of R&D activity in the Trust during the next four years. The Strategy aim is to improve health outcomes for patients by generating and using sound information on which decisions about service provision can be based. In meeting this aim the objectives are to: Ensure that high quality research is undertaken. Promote and raise the profile of the Trust research culture. Maintain a support and governance function for Trust staff undertaking research. Develop capacity and capability to undertake high quality research. Ensure the findings of research are fed back into practice. Seek collaborations leading to development of appropriate research projects. Page 4 of 12

5 3. Duties Ultimate responsibility for R&D lies with the Trust Board within the Clinical Directorate, overseen by the Consultant Paramedic. Strategic development will be informed and guided by the Clinical Quality & Safety Group (CQSG), and monitored by the Quality & Risk Assurance Committee (QRAC). Day to day research activity management, annual research work plan development, and annual reporting will be the responsibility of the Research Manager. This structure will be reviewed every two years to ensure appropriate reporting of R&D activities. Strong links with other departments and quality initiatives across the service must be developed and maintained if R&D activity and research projects are to be successfully initiated and project managed to ensure that results are disseminated and acted upon. This is a key requirement of the Research Manager role. 4. Definitions Research Clinical research activity is about objectively looking at proposed new ways of working or new treatment options in order to inform service developments and improve patient outcomes - evidence-based practice. Research Support Services a framework of good practice and standard procedures to simplify and speed up local research management as well as managing operational risk proportionately. Good Clinical Practice set of laws, guidelines and frameworks which govern the set up and conduct of clinical research. 5. Development Prioritisation of Work The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust s (the Trust) Vision is to be the recognised leader in emergency, urgent and out-of-hospital care in the East of England. Research knowledge and activity underpin all four strategic objectives as set out in the Trust Integrated Business Plan: Strategic Objective 1: Changing service models should be evaluated and underpinned by an evidence-base. A developing Research Support Service within the Trust allows us to align projects related to becoming the market leader in providing patients the gateway to urgent and emergency healthcare services. Strategic Objective 2: Developing a learning environment and research activity are closely linked. This Strategy aims to further develop research skills and capacity within the workforce. Strategic Objective 3: There is a strong link between quality of care provision and research active organisations. In order for the Trust to be the best provider of unplanned healthcare it must base its clinical developments on evidence and developing this is supported by this Strategy. Page 5 of 12

6 Strategic Objective 4: To be the most responsive and innovative provider requires access to data and intelligence. By becoming increasingly research active the Trust will contribute to the evidence base. Identification of Stakeholders Comprehensive Local Research Networks within the Trust geographical area were informed about the production of this Strategy document. Responsibility for the Document s Development The Trust Research Manager was the author of this document at the recommendation of the Clinical Development and Effectiveness Group on the expiration of the Research Strategy Ensure high quality research is undertaken The Trust will seek to undertake research that will ultimately improve patient outcomes, in line with Trust priorities and making reference to the Trust vision and values. Local, regional and national priorities for research will also be taken into account when considering the feasibility of research activity to be undertaken. All research undertaken within the Trust will be robust and of a high standard, and must be conducted in accordance with the Department of Health (DH) Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care (2005), NIHR and other relevant UK legislation. Patients and the public will be involved in the strategic development, management and conduct of research at the earliest opportunity whenever possible. 7. Promote and raise the profile of Trust research culture Since 2008 the Trust has been increasingly recognised for its research activity and ability to deliver high quality research. This Sustaining Growth Strategy seeks to build on that foundation. Research Support Services will continue to promote awareness of relevant research and evidence-based practice, and encourage staff to embrace these principles and participate in research activities as part of their Continuous Professional Development. This will be facilitated by on-line access to the Trust Research Support Services. Trust staff will have access to overviews of current relevant research, details of published papers, and links to sites which provide information about research legislation and governance. In conjunction, Research Support Services will make provision for research workshops and training at localities throughout the Trust geographical area. Trust staff participating in research activity will be encouraged and supported to publish their work in peer-reviewed journals and participate at relevant conferences. Page 6 of 12

7 8. Maintain a support and governance function This Strategy continues the Trust s commitment to supporting a culture of research excellence by observing the requirements set out in legislation and NHS policy i.e. NHS Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care 2005; Standards for Better Health 2004; Best Research for Best Health The Framework applies to everyone involved in research in a health and social care setting and includes: clinical research; non-clinical research; any research undertaken by NHS staff using NHS resources. Research Support Services will guide research projects through the Research Governance process to permission by the Trust Research Permission Gatekeeper where appropriate. A system of recording all research activity will continue to be maintained in order to ensure compliance with research governance requirements, and to log progress of research projects. 9. Develop capacity and capability to undertake high quality research Led primarily by the Research Manager, who will be informed by relevant local and national R&D developments, the Trust will build the capacity and capability of the organisation to conduct research. The overall aim will be to create a culture in which research evidence is understood and valued as vital to clinical decision making, patient care, service delivery, organisation and management thereby putting research into practice. It is envisaged that the process of undertaking R&D activity within the Trust will be open to all staff, irrespective of role, supported by the Research Support Services. Research skills training such as Good Clinical Practice, critical appraisal, statistics, and research methods will be encouraged as appropriate for those involved in research activity. All staff will have access to reference books and other research equipment as available. 10. Ensure the findings of research are fed back into practice Evidence that changes or informs clinical practice is the most important outcome from research. In order to achieve this, research will be linked to service developments as far as that evidence base exists. Details of latest findings will be made available Trust wide and utilised in determining recommendations for clinical developments made at Clinical Development and Effectiveness Group meetings. 11. Seek collaborations to develop appropriate research projects Partnerships with other NHS and social care organisations and academic bodies will be developed and maintained to enable the Trust to make the best use of available R&D resources, in order to optimise levels of capacity, competence and activity. Use of local and national networks will continue and other opportunities to promote research within the Trust will be explored. Page 7 of 12

8 Commercial R&D activities in health, funded by profit-making organisations such as pharmaceutical companies and medical devices, is regarded by the NHS as of fundamental importance both to the development of beneficial treatments for NHS patients and to the future of UK science and innovation and the wider economy. The Trust has successfully commenced its first clinical trial and will continue to undertake such activity where feasible, and in the interests of improvement to patient care and service delivery. The Trust will selectively pursue research opportunities and external funding to develop Trust hosted and sponsored research projects in line with Trust R&D priorities. 12. Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRNs) Best Research for Best Health (2006) set out plans for the UK Clinical Research Network (CRN) for England. The purpose of the CRNs is to provide a world class health service infrastructure to support clinical research in the NHS and to strengthen and streamline systems for research management and governance in NHS organisations. To facilitate this initiative a number of Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRN) have been set up across the UK. The Trust encompasses the boundaries of three CLRNs i.e. Norfolk and Suffolk CLRN (Lead CLRN), Essex and Herts CLRN, and West Anglia CLRN. The key functions of the CLRNs are to manage NHS R&D service support funding and streamline research management and governance through the provision of the Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permission (CSP) and any supercedents. Attendance at all Lead CLRN Board meetings will be maintained. Working arrangements between the Trust and all three CLRNs will be reviewed regularly to ensure optimum working relationships are in place. 13. R&D Programme Development Research activity will be directed with reference to Trust priorities, local health priority areas, guidance from the National Ambulance Research Steering Group, CLRN Specialty Groups, and clinicians with a special interest in pre-hospital care provision, academic partners, patients and members of the public. The Trust will ultimately develop a programme of high quality R&D projects to support the advancement of pre-hospital care to facilitate improved health outcomes for its patients. 14. Funding R&D activity will be supported through: maintenance of a Trust research budget; funding according to the annual CLRN Operational Plan; CLRN Research Capability Funding where appropriate; and funding for specific projects from external funding sources. It is the intended strategy that research infrastructure will be fully funded by income from research activity. CLRN financial support increased annually during the time frame of the first Research Strategy, from a little over 15k in 2008/09 to more than Page 8 of 12

9 56k in 2011/12. This money supported the Research Manager function initially, and in 2011/12 the additional appointment of a Research Paramedic. All research proposals will be subject to the Trust Business Development Gateway process to ensure adequate funding is achieved. Income from NIHR CRN industry portfolio studies will be in line with the mandatory Industry Costing Template. 15. Equality Impact Assessment Equality impact assessment has been completed. An Executive Summary has been attached as Appendix A. 16. Process for Monitoring Compliance and Effectiveness The Research Manager will draw up an Annual R&D Work Plan for approval by the CQSG. The plan will outline Trust priorities and targets for R&D activity to include capacity building, compliance with national guidance, development of research protocols and applications for funding as appropriate. To facilitate these processes across the Trust this Strategy will be supported by a Trust R&D Policy and the development of R&D training materials. As part of the R&D development programme further resources and supports will be scoped, such as links to local and national libraries, and access to peer-reviewed journals and other appropriate published research reports. Performance measures will be developed in line with NIHR Performance Management Frameworks and to capture other R&D developments where possible. An Annual R&D report will be prepared and progress reports submitted to the Trust Board and relevant committees. 17. Standards / Key Performance Indicators Please see the Monitoring Table in Appendix A. 18. Summary Research is essential to the advancement of clinical knowledge and can make a key contribution to the development of the Trust and the NHS more widely. Establishing the capacity and improving the capability of the Trust to conduct research is essential for the Trust to play a full role in evidence-based health care. The Trust will aim to become an organisation in which research awareness and research activity will flourish for all staff, and where close links exist between research and clinical practice, leadership and management, training and service delivery. Page 9 of 12

10 The Trust will work within the highest standards of research governance to ensure that all research activity is safe and ethical, relevant and feasible, and conducted with integrity and transparency. Research infrastructure is intended to be funded by income from research activity 19. References Best Research for Best Health: A new national health research strategy DH, January 2006 Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care, DH, 1st edition March 2001; 2nd edition April 2005 Standards for Better Health, Health Care Commission, 2004 Taking Healthcare to the Patient: Transforming NHS Ambulance Services, DH, June 2005 The Plan for Growth, Department for Business Innovation and Skills, 2011 Page 10 of 12

11 Appendix A Monitoring Table What Who How Frequency Evidence Reporting arrangements Acting on recommendations Change in practice and lessons to be shared High quality research is undertaken Research Manager CDE and Research Register captures all research activity and governance Annual Research Report will be prepared Evidence of research governance and Trust permission CDE will send to CQSG and QRAC will monitor Consultant Paramedic Research Manager will inform necessary system changes through CDE Capacity capability research increases and for Research Manager CDE and Annual audit of research capacity and capability Annual reporting Evidence change capacity capability of in and CDE will send to CQSG Research Support Services CDE will inform CQSG Research findings are fed back into practice CDE CDE minutes Pulse report prepared at every CDE meeting Review research findings of CDE will send to CQSG and QRAC will monitor CDE CDE Page 11 of 12

12 Appendix B Executive Summary Page for Equality Impact Assessment: Document Reference: Document Title: R&D Strategy Assessment Date: 15/03/2012 Responsible Director: Medical Director Conclusion of Equality Impact Assessment: Low positive impact of highly equality relevant document. Document Type: Strategy Lead Manager: Theresa Foster Recommendations for Action Plan: Research activity population groups will be monitored and reported in the Annual Research Report. Risks Identified: None anticipated. Approved by a member of the executive team: YES Name: Pam Chrispin Position: Medical Director Signature: Pam Chrispin Date: April 2012 This whole document should be stored with the master document and a final approved electronic copy must be sent to the Equality & Diversity Lead at Bedford Office Page 12 of 12