ࡱ> uwpqrst7 9bjbjUU =7|7|9l< < .X}C< &.(.(.(.(.(.(.$u1 3jL.["}L.[a.&&.&. &%,L |Դ< XN)d,dw.0.)33,   Directory Primary Care Research Networks and Allied Organisations October 2003 List of Networks and Allied Organisations Battersea Research Group Bedfordshire Primary Care Research Network Bolton Primary Care Trust Bristol Primary Care Research & Development Consortium Cambridge Research Development and Support Group CAPRICORN: Cymru Alliance of Primary Care Orientated Research Network Dumfries and Galloway Primary Care Research Network EastReN Essex Primary Care Research Network EyeNET Health R&D North West HertNet Highland and Islands Primary Care Research Network Hull and East Riding Pharmacy Research Network KSSNet Facilitation Service Lewisham Research Unit Lothian Primary Care Research Network Mersey Primary Care R&D Consortium Midlands PC-CTRU MRC General Practice Research Framework NELCRAD: North East London Consortium for R&D NoCLoR: North Central London Research Consortium NorDRIL: Northern Dental Research Initiative & Links NoReN: Northern Primary Care Research Network North Staffordshire GP Research Network NTRA: North Trent Research Alliance Oxford Research Development Support Consortium PCRN Northants: Primary Care Research Network for Northants Peterborough and Cambridgeshire PCRN RCGP Research Group SaNDNet: Somerset & North & East Devon Primary Care Research Network Scottish School of Primary Care STaRNet London SuNet: Suffolk and Norfolk Primary Care Research Network SWARM: South-West Area Research Movement in Primary Care Thames Valley Primary Care Research Network Trent Focus Warwick - West Midlands Primary Care Research WeLReN: West London Research Network WoReN: The Wolds Primary Care Research Network WReN: Wessex Primary Care Research Network YReN: Yorkshire Primary Care Research Network Battersea Research Group Battersea Research Group was formed in 1997 with London Implementation Zone funding. It was formed to provide educational opportunities to primary health care workers in Battersea, to improve the health care of the Battersea population through research and to improve the dissemination and implementation of recent medical advances that are of direct relevance in primary care. Having begun with one GP and a receptionist BRG is now an active network in South West London with 6 staff and 15 researchers. It now receives Culyer Funding from the Department of Health R&D Levy to the tune of 130K per annum. BRG has three main programmes of research activity: chronic disease focusing mainly on cardiovascular disease and diabetes, mental health, and, womens and childrens health. We are also interested in research and development into complementary and alternative medicine. Proposals and projects are developed in partnership between research staff and primary care professionals and receive support from academic collaborators. Like many other networks BRG is currently in the process of developing stronger collaborative links with academic institutions and health and social care providers. We have strong links with St. Georges Hospital Medical School, Kings College London, UCL, Goldsmiths College, STaRNet, the Lewisham Research Unit and other London networks. In particular we are focusing on integrating with Wandsworth PCT and developing the research agenda within the local primary care community. We promote our activities on our website, by running research workshops and training and by producing a quarterly newsletter with a mailing list of over 300. ____________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Miss Amy Scammell Research Manager BRG Bolingbroke Hospital, Wakehurst Road London SW11 6HN Telephone 0207 223 4222 Fax 0207 223 4222 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" amy@brg123.net Website www.doh.gov.uk/brg ____________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Jeremy Gray Director BRG Bolingbroke Hospital Wakehurst Road London SW11 6HN Telephone 0207 223 4222 Fax 0207 223 4222 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ Battersea Research Group Additional Contact Barbara Maguire Administrator BRG Bolingbroke Hospital Wakehurst Road London SW11 6HN Telephone 0207 223 4222 Fax 0207 223 4222 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Bedfordshire Primary Care Research Network The Bedfordshire Primary Care Research Network was set up in 1998. It is managed by researchers at the Institute for Health Services Research at the University of Luton. Its aim is to promote and to foster interest in R&D in primary care throughout Bedfordshire. Objectives include the provision of information about R&D; training/enhancing research skills, knowledge etc; supporting individuals in their R&D needs through the provision of expert advice; and the facilitation of communication between professionals with common interests in research. The mailing list contains approximately 500 professionals working in primary care and the Community Trust in Bedfordshire including GPs, nurses, dieticians, therapists, and psychologists. Activities include: quarterly research workshops, the provision of resource packs to accompany workshops, regular newsletters, surveys, one to one research support and advice, collaboration with Primary Care Groups and the Community Trust. The Network facilitates special interest groups in the areas of womens health, minority ethnic health and mental health. ____________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Jo Neale Network Co-ordinator The Institute for Health Services Research 3rd Floor, St Nicholas House 15-17 George Street Luton Beds LU1 2AF Telephone 01582 743786 Fax 01582 743771 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ____________________________________________________________________________ Additional contact Mr Ron Driver The Institute for Health Services Research 3rd Floor, St Nicholas House 15-17 George Street Luton LU1 2AF Telephone 01582 743783 Fax 01582 743771 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Bolton Primary Care Trust Entry pending. Bristol & District Primary Care Research & Development Consortium The Bristol & District Primary Care Research and Development Consortium was set up in 1997 and from 1998 funded by the NHS to cover all the costs of the non commercial externally funded R&D being undertaken in the practices in collaboration with the University of Bristol. The Consortium includes 20 general practices, which together serve over 170,000 patients across 5 local PCTs. The Consortium management transferred to the host PCT, (Bristol North PCT) in 2002 with continued support from Horfield Health Centre. We continue to develop links with other organisations with interests in primary care research. The consortium hosts mostly University of Bristol research and provides access at all stages of the research process into primary care. The more active research practices also initiate their own and host other organisations research. We promote our activities by, regular e-mail contact, bimonthly R&D meetings for more active researchers, newsletters and an annual meeting with all practices. Official Contact for Federation Jo Pearce Research & Development Manager Bristol North PCT/ Bristol South & West PCT King Square House King Square Bristol BS2 8EE Telephone: 0117 9002612 Fax: 0117 9003409 E-mail:  HYPERLINK "mailto:jo.pearce@bristol" jo.pearce@bristolnorth-pct.nhs.uk Additional Contacts Dr Terry Kemple Dr Mayes & Partners Horfield Health Centre Lockleaze Road Horfield Bristol BS7 9RR Telephone: 0117 9695391 Fax: 0117 9315879 E-mail:  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org tk@elpmek.demon.co.uk Bill Jerrome Practice Manager Horfield Health Centre Lockleaze Road Horfield Bristol BS7 9RR Telephone: 0117 9695391 Fax: 0117 9315879 E-mail: contact@ukf-pcrn.org CAPRICORN: Cymru Alliance of Primary Care Oriented Research Networks CAPRICORN - the Cymru Alliance of Primary Care Oriented Research Networks - is a supra-network of 12 nodes across Wales and fits the orbital model' for a research network. Each node consists of a lead GP researcher with a lead practice modelled on research practices as defined by the RCGP central initiative. Network membership comprises 70% General Practitioner, ICT 20% and nursing 10%. It was started officially in April 1998, though it was inaugurated informally in 1997. It has an annual budget of 87,122, which is funded by the Wales Office of Research and Development for Health and Social Care, National Assembly for Wales. CAPRICORN has various links with the Division of General Practice, College of Medicine, University of Wales; the Department of Primary Care, Liverpool University; the Health Economy Unit, the University of Glamorgan; IMSCaR, the University of Bangor Department of Health Sciences and the University of York Institute of Health Studies (NEWT). There are two research activity areas: Primary Care Management and Quality Control CAPRICORN is a partner in the specialist R&D Centre for primary care in Wales which is called CeReS (Centre for Research Support) and is hosted by the University of Wales College of Medicine. Resources offered by CAPRICORN include: written materials on quantitative methods and statistics; a remote randomisation service; a computerised questionnaire design and analysis service; a wide area research internet and project management. Official contact for Federation Richard Hibbs Network Co-ordinator CAPRICORN Integral Business Support Ltd Croesnewydd Hall Wrexham Technology Park Wrexham LL13 7YP Telephone 01978 290694 Fax 01978 290705 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.capricorn.uk.net/capricorn" http://www.capricorn.uk.net/capricorn Head of Network Dr Terry Davis CAPRICORN Meddygfa Teilo Crescent Road Llandeilo SA19 6HL Telephone 01558 823435 Fax 01558 824045 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org CAPRICORN: Cymru Alliance of Primary Care Oriented Research Networks Additional contacts Dr A V Evans CAPRICORN Caereinion Health Centre Llanfair Caereinion Powys SY21 0RT Telephone 01938 810279 Fax 01938 810955 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" AntVEvans@aol.com Dr T Gwyn Roberts CAPRICORN The Beechley Medical Centre 73 Ruabon Road Wrexham LL13 7PU Telephone 01978 362368 Fax 01978 350915 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org beechleymedcen@tinyworld.co.uk Dr Paul Myres CAPRICORN The Surgery High Street Overton-on-Dee Wrexham LL13 0ED Telephone 01978 710087 Fax 01978 710494 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org pmyres@globalnet.co.uk Dr Nefyn Williams CAPRICORN The Health Centre Village Road Llanfairfechan LL33 0NH Telephone 01248 680021 Fax 01248 681711 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Dr Francisco Machado Abersychan Surgery Old Road Abersychan Pontypool NP4 7BQ Telephone 01495 774744 Fax 01495 773786 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org fran@abersychan.demon.co.uk Dr Rhodri Evans Church Surgery Portland Street Aberystwyth SY23 2DX Telephone 01970 624855 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org revans@churchsurgery.co.uk CAPRICORN: Cymru Alliance of Primary Care Oriented Research Networks Professor Clare Wilkinson Activity Area Leader CAPRICORN University of Wales College of Medicine Division of General Practice North Wales Section Gwenfro Buildings Wrexham Technology Park Wrexham LL13 7YP Telephone 01978 316267 Fax 01978 311419 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Professor Jonathan Richards Director of Research CAPRICORN Morlais Medical Practice Ty Morlais Berry Square Dowlais Merthyr Tydfil CF48 3AL Telephone 01685 722782 Fax 01685 722951 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org pagchair@dial.pipex.com Dr Peter Edwards Director of Development CAPRICORN Ely Bridge Surgery 23 Mill Road Ely Cardiff CF5 4AE Telephone 02920 561808 Fax 02920 578871 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" peter.edwards@gp-w97040.wales.nhs.uk Dr Haydn Mayo CAPRICORN The North Cardiff Medical Centre Excalibur Drive Thornhill Cardiff CF14 9BB Telephone 02920 750322 Fax 02920 757705 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org haydn.mayo@gp-w97015.wales.nhs.uk Dr Sion Edwards CAPRICORN The North Cardiff Medical Centre Excalibur Drive Thornhill Cardiff CF14 9BB Telephone 02920 750322 Fax 02920 757705 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org sion.edwards@gp-w97015.wales.nhs.uk CAPRICORN: Cymru Alliance of Primary Care Oriented Research Networks Mrs Victoria Colbatch-Clark Liaison Officer CAPRICORN Integral Business Support Limited Croesnewydd Hall Wrexham Technology Park Wrexham LL13 7YP Telephone 01978 290694 Fax 01978 290705 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org v.n.colbatch-clark@extra-ibs.com Dumfries and Galloway Primary Care Research Network Background It is difficult for those providing primary care to undertake research, mainly due to lack of time and training. The situation is worse in rural areas where distance can lead to isolation. In recognition of this problem, the Chief Scientists Office has recently funded Primary Care Research Networks to develop a culture of research in primary care. The Dumfries and Galloway Primary Care Research Network (PCRN) was established with a three-year grant from the Chief Scientists Office in July 2000. Aims The aims of the PCRN are to provide support and training for those working in primary care in the region, to enable them to develop and conduct non-commercial research, which would inform the provision of primary care. Methods All professionals working in primary care in the region are invited to apply for an initial grant of 500 to develop their own research ideas. Previous research experience is not a necessary requirement. This initial grant is to enable successful applicants to buy time out of their clinical work, in order to attend two days of research training with particular reference to their own projects. The second stage is for a further grant of up to 1,200 to undertake a research project, which could be a pilot for further external funding. These research projects would have to be approved by the Local Research Ethics Committee. The final stage is the dissemination of research findings either as papers in journals or reports. Official Contact for Federation Sheila Farries Research & Development Support Unit Dumfries & Galloway Primary Care Research Network Clinical Governance Lower Ground Floor, Bankend Road Dumfries DG1 4AP Telephone 01387 241164 Fax E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" sfarries@dg-primarycare.scot.nhs.uk Head of Network Professor David Hannay Director Research & Development Support Unit Dumfries & Galloway Primary Care Research Network Clinical Governance Lower Ground Floor Bankend Road Dumfries DG1 4AP Telephone 01387 241162 X 3162 Fax 01387 244133 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org EastRen East of Scotland Research and Development Network EastRen was formed in April 2003 from the amalgamation of TayRen and FResCo, the primary care research networks in Tayside and Fife, under the umbrella of the Tayside Research Consortium. The network will continue to support multidisciplinary and multiprofessional research and development by offering support, research training, bursaries to develop and pilot research proposals, and networking opportunities. EastRen will also act as the eastern node of SPPIRe (Scottish Practices and Professionals Involved in Research). SPPIRe is a new initiative, co-ordinated by the Scottish School of Primary Care and funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Office, to develop a register of primary care practitioners and practices willing to host and undertake research. This initiative will facilitate recruitment of practices and professionals to national externally funded studies of relevance to primary care by maintaining close links with potential research hosts and troubleshooting any problems as they arise. The EastRen Executive acts as a peer review panel for applications for pump priming funds and meets regularly to: Peer review bursary applications Monitor progress and development of the network Discuss network policy issues __________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Marie Pitkethly EastRen Coordinator Tayside Centre for General Practice Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee DD2 4AD Telephone 01382 632771 Fax 01382 633839 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website www.eastren.co.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Professor Frank Sullivan Network Director EastRen Tayside Centre for General Practice Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee DD2 4AD Telephone 01382 632771 Fax 01382 633839 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ EastRen East of Scotland Research and Development Network Additional contacts Moira Imrie EastRen Co-ordinator Fife Primary Care NHS Trust Clinical Governance Support Team Medical Offices Stratheden Hospital Cupar Fife KY15 5RR Telephone 01334 652611 Fax 01334 653950 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" MoiraImrie@fife-pct.scot.nhs.uk Margaret Feeney Secretary EastRen Tayside Centre for General Practice Kirsty Semple Way Dundee DD2 4BF Telephone 01382 632771 Fax 01382 633839 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" m.a.feeney@dundee.ac.uk Essex Primary Care Research Network (EPCRN) The EPCRN is a multidisciplinary network set up in April 2003 following the dissolution of the East London & Essex Network of Researchers (ELENoR). Geographically, the network covers the whole of the Essex County with a population of over 1.3 million. The EPCRN aspires to support, nurture and promote evidence-led culture in primary care throughout Essex by bringing together those who want to undertake R&D. The network aims to improve the overall quality of research projects undertaken by individual researchers, research teams and PCOs, as well as to increase capacity and promote robust primary care research culture in Essex within a Research Governance Framework through: - Identifying and coordinating primary care research priorities in Essex Providing research bursaries Creating opportunities for research skills training Providing appropriate help and supervision for research projects, including help with designing of research protocols Arranging peer review Identifying funding opportunities Assistance with dissemination of findings The Networks membership includes primary care professionals from a range of disciplines and academic researchers with a wide range of research expertise and experience: from those undertaking their first project to experienced career scientists. EPCRN has extensive links with national and regional research and academic establishments and organisations such as Essex Strategic Health Authority. Eastern Region R&D Managers Forum and Essex Learning and Social Care Service, NHS R&D Forum, EQUIP, and Workforce Development Confederation. EPCRN aims to create additional opportunities for education and training essential for undertaking research working closely with our academic partners at the University of Essex and Anglia Polytechnic University. A fortnightly Electronic Bulletin is made available to primary care practitioners in Essex. Hosted by Tendring Primary Care Trust, its activities are coordinated by the Management Group with elected membership comprising of clinicians, researchers and lay members drawn from across the whole of Essex. The EPCRNs Research Advisory Group, among other responsibilities, oversees research bursary allocations, identifies research priorities and training needs, and serves as a support platform for the local RM&G coordinators. The patients perspective is incorporated through opening the membership on both committees to members of the local public. EPCRN is funded by the NHS R&D Funding resources received through the DoH Research and Development Division based at the Government Office for the East of England. Annual funding is approximately 160K. Network Partners and collaborating organisations: Essex Strategic Health Authority The Centre for Research in Health & Social Care, Anglia Polytechnic University University of Essex Essex RDSG Primary Care Research Team Assessment Scheme (PCTRA), Royal College of General Practitioners North East London Consortium for Research and Development (NELCRAD) Essex Learning & Social Care Service Essex Public Health Network Essex Primary Care Research Network (EPCRN) Witham, Braintree & Halstead Care Trust Chelmsford PCT Maldon & South Chelmsford PCT Tendring PCT Colchester PCT Thurrock PCT Basildon PCT Billericay, Bradford & Wickford PCT Southend PCT Castle Point & Rochford PCT Epping Forest PCT HARLOW pct Uttlesford PCT Laindon Health Centre Primary Care Research Team ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Oksana Hoile R&D Manager, Tendring PCT & Acting Manager, EPCRN Tendring Primary Care Trust Carnarvon House Carnarvon Road Clacton-on-Sea Essex CO15 6QD Telephone 01255 206080 Fax 01255 206061 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website http://www.doh.gov.uk/ntrd/rd/pricare/elenor/elenor.htm ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Chris Martin Network Clinical Lead Laindon PCRT Laindon Health Centre High Road Laindon Essex SS15 5TR Telephone 01268 546411 Fax 01268 49124 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ Additional contacts Caroline Gunnell Network Education Lead Birchwood House St Margarets Hospital The Plain Epping M16 6TN Telephone 01992 902010 Fax 01279 827847 Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" gunnelltheydon@ukonline.co.uk Essex Primary Care Research Network (EPCRN) Sarah Angier Network Administrator Tendring Primary Care Trust Carnarvon House Carnarvon Road Clacton-on-Sea Essex CO15 6QD Telephone 01255 206096 Fax 01255 206061 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org EyeNET Formed in April 1998, EyeNET is a network of professionals with an interest in eye related research. The network consists of EyeNET funded researchers in the London Region and also non-research members from London and other Regions who choose to be kept updated on the networks activities via the annual meeting, newsletters and annual report. The network holds an annual round of bidding for research funding which any London-based member may apply for. To join the network or to apply for research funding, please contact David Edgar/Helen OKelly. ____________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Ms Helen OKelly Director Department of Optometry 7-9 Bath St London EC1V 9LF Telephone 020 7040 8982 Fax 020 7040 8873 E-mail h.r.okelly@city.ac.uk Website www.doh.gov.uk/ntrd/rd/pricare/eyenet/eyenet.htm ____________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Ms Helen OKelly ____________________________________________________________________________ Health R&D North West Health R&D North West was formed in 2001 by the integration of existing R&D support units dispersed throughout the North West and a consortium of three research-led Universities: Lancaster, Liverpool, and Salford. It provides support for the area previously known as the North West Region and consists of 4 units. The Core unit is based in Lancaster and co-ordinates the support provided across the Region by units based at each of the three academic sites. Health R&D North West provides a wide range of research support to all NHS health professions in the North West with particular emphasis on meeting the needs of those professional groups underrepresented in health research such as nurses and allied health professions. Activities include: Workshops and short courses on a variety of research methods, ranging from introductory courses to specialised areas of research methodology; Advice on developing research proposals and on all aspects of research and development including methodology, research design, opportunities for research collaboration and networking. Targeted support for Primary Care R&D through the assistance of a dedicated R&D Facilitator for Lancashire and Cumbria. Involving Users in R&D: since the appointment in 2002 of a new R&D manager with a specific remit of involving Users in R&D this has become a major focus for Health R&D North West. Activities include introductory R&D workshops for Users, and workshops for health professionals on how to involve Users, and convening meetings of the Users Advisory Group. Support for organisations developing their research strategy, directorate structure and responsibilities as specified under the research governance framework. This support includes the provision of an action learning set in organisational development for Trust R&D Managers. Assistance to those managing R&D in support networks and priority groups e.g. the cancer network in Merseyside, primary care and cardiovascular nurses R&D network in the North West, and public health networks. An annual conference, a twice yearly newsletter and regular electronic research funding bulletins. Access to academic expertise in: research design and methodology, including: statisticians; social scientists; qualitative researchers; health economists; epidemiologists. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Contact for the Federation: Vicki Bell Core Unit Secretary Health R&D NoW Institute for Health Research Bowland Tower East Alexandra Square University of Lancaster Lancaster LA1 4YT Telephone 01524 593209 Fax 01524 592401 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/ihr/hrdn ____________________________________________________________________________ Health R&D North West Health R&D NoW Director Professor Anthony Gatrell Director Health R&D NoW Institute for Health Research Bowland Tower East Alexandra Square University of Lancaster Lancaster LA1 4YT Telephone 01524 593754/592127 Fax 01524 592401 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ________________________________________________________________________ HertNet The network formally started in April 1998 to encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to health services research and to foster a research culture in the primary care sector in Hertfordshire. Six years later, it has a membership of over 280 including general practitioners, practice nurses, health visitors, district nurses, midwives, practice managers, pharmacists, optometrists, secondary care professionals, social workers, and non-clinical academic staff. There are two main programme areas of research: Adolescent & Child Health and Care of Older People, but HertNet also has a greenhousing role. HertNets academic partner is the Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care (CRIPACC) at the University of Hertfordshire, with which it works collaboratively with HertNet on projects in a mutually supportive role. Together with HRDSU (Health Research and Development Support Unit) they provide a research methods training programme and host an annual conference. Multi-disciplinary research interest groups exist in the areas of Care of Older People (Hertfordshire Age Net) and Adolescent and Child Health (ReACH). Regular news bulletins are circulated and HertNet has a website at http://www.health.herts.ac.uk/hertnet. HertNet initially received its Culyer funding from North Thames NHSE, and is now receiving funding from the Midlands and East of England R&D Directorate. The published indicative figure for allocation for 2004/2005 is 248,333. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Mrs Sue Hall, Research Administrator, HertNet/CRIPACC, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield Campus, Hatfield, Herts. AL10 9AB Telephone 01707 285214 Fax 01707 285995 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website http://www.health.herts.ac.uk/hertnet ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Mike Kirby Director The Surgery, Nevells Road, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 4TS Telephone 01462 683051 Fax 01462 485650 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ HertNet Additional contacts The Managers post is currently vacant (Sept 2003). Methodologist Duncan Barron HertNet/CRIPACC University of Hertfordshire Hatfield Herts AL10 9AB Telephone 01707 281157 Fax 01707 285995 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org Highland, Islands and Grampian Health Research Network (HIGHREN) The Highland and Islands Primary Care Research Network was formed in 1998. In February 2000 the Highlands & Islands Health Research Institute (HIHRI - University of Aberdeen) was established in Inverness. The Primary Care Network is based in the same building. A Research Manager for Highland Primary Care Trust was appointed in June 2000 and the network merged with Grampian in 2001. In 2003 central funding was withdrawn from all Scottish PCRNs. Highren has been given temporary funding from the local PCTs. Its remit has now widened to include primary and secondary care health professionals in the region. Our website holds copies of our annual report and a membership database with lists of research interests. It also hosts the highland ejournal club. We currently have over 200 members from a wide range of health disciplines. We contribute to the training programme run by Highland Research Consortium. We hold 3 one-day networking meetings a year which provide a forum for inexperienced and experienced researchers. Their aim is for members to develop research knowledge and skills; make useful contacts; and develop their research ideas/projects. We rely heavily on electronic communications for our membership. Our current focus is on fostering collaborations for researchers faced with the challenge of large distances between the region and academic support. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Arun Sharma Co-ordinator c/o Highlands and Islands Health Research Institute The Greenhouse, Beechwood Business Park Inverness IV2 3ED Telephone 01463 667308/792120 Fax 01463 667310 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website www.highren.net ___________________________________________________________________________ Hull and East Riding Pharmacy Research Network The Hull and East Riding Pharmacy Development Group (PDG) provides a forum for pharmacists to work together to promote best pharmaceutical practice. The PDG has been awarded a 125,000 grant from the Northern and Yorkshire NHS Executive over 3 years (2001-2004) to support pharmacy practice research development and to establish a Pharmacy Practice Research Network in the area (PRN). PRN has a steering committee whose members are drawn from PCTs, North & East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority, WoReN and Hull and East Riding Community and Hospital Trusts. The main aims of the network are To coordinate and support all pharmacy practice in the area To establish six community pharmacy research practices To support pharmacy practice research projects as learning vehicles for research skills To design mechanisms for spreading evidence from research into practice To network with other health service research groups across the region Six research practice pharmacies have been established and are currently undertaking research projects. Other research projects are being conducted, involving community pharmacists and their staff in the four PCTs in Hull & East Riding. Research topics cover a broad range of pharmacy services for example, an audit of sales of paediatric medicines and advice on minor ailments of children in the pharmacy; dispensing error recording and reporting; evaluation of pharmacy based emergency contraception services; what patients understand by concordance in medicine taking; pharmaceutical services for people with enduring mental illness and pharmacy detoxification services for drug misusers. PRN is working closely with the Wolds Primary Care Research Network (WoReN) and Primary Care Trusts to promote multi-disciplinary research; to provide training in research methods and design practice research projects for community pharmacists and their staff. More information can be found on the WoReN website. Information on future events and training seminars is mailed out regularly to pharmacists registered on the PRN database. By sending your e-mail address to the PRN you can receive updates directly by email. Regular meetings of the six research practices are held and the first conference will be on 4th November 2003. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for the Federation Hilary Edmondson Hull and East Riding Pharmacy Research Network College House, Room C11 East Riding Campus Beverly Road Willerby East Yorkshire HU10 6NS Telephone 01482 335823 / 01482 335824 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" hilary.edmondson@erhha.nhs.uk  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" hilary.Edmondson@eriding-ha.northy.nhs.uk KSSNet Facilitation Service __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ KSSNet Facilitation Service is part of a network that provides support for Primary Care research across both Kent and Medway and the Surrey Sussex Strategic Health Authority. It provides a service to Primary Care Trusts and other Primary Care Providers in the three counties. We will be working closely with the newly found Kent and Medway and Surrey Sussex Primary Care Research Network. The aims of the service are to encourage research in Primary Care, to increase the number of researchers and increase the research activity across the three counties. There are five research facilitators in place across Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and East Sussex, one of the facilitators is also a Knowledge Manager. Each facilitator relates to primary care professionals in their geographical area. Their service is available for support and advice on how to start a Primary Care research programme, from collaborating with other interested parties to getting funding and disseminating the final product. Advice and support on research governance is also available. KSSNet Facilitation Service also provides information on relevant course and seminars as well as organising their own research days to disseminate information on research that has been carried out locally. The service has established contacts with the local Research and Development Support Units (CHSS & CHCR) as well as the local ethics committees. KSSNet Facilitation Service has its own website to give people quick access to information regarding primary care research. You will find information on ethics approval, funding, up and coming events and advice on research governance, as well as links to relevant courses for Primary Care Research. A Newsletter is published four times a year. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Official Contact for Federation Rebecca Cordery Research Administrator Postgraduate Medical School Stirling House Surrey Research Park Guildford Surrey GU2 7OJ Telephone 01483 304594 Fax: 01483 300359 Email  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org r.cordery@surrey.ac.uk Website  HYPERLINK http://www.surrey.ac.uk/KSSNet www.surrey.ac.uk/KSSNet ___________________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Professor Ross Lawrenson Director Postgraduate Medical School Stirling House Surrey Research Park Guildford Surrey GU2 7OJ Telephone 01483 579927 Fax 01483 300359 Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" r.lawrenson@surrey.ac.uk Lewisham Research Unit __________________________________________________________________________________ The Lewisham Research Unit was formerly known as the Lewisham Primary Care Research Consortium which was formed in 1999. In 2002 it became known as the Lewisham Research Unit upon joining the Lewisham Primary Care Trust. We are a network of primary care practitioners, including general practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals. The network aims to develop primary care research in the London borough of Lewisham. Through supporting research we aim to strengthen the involvement of practitioners with academic researchers and promote recruitment and retention of high quality practitioners in the borough. We endeavour to build the implementation and dissemination of research furthering a culture of evidence-based practice. We are funded by the Department of Health through the Priorities and Needs and Support for Sciences funds, receiving 80,000 a year. We lead on two research programmes and collaborate in another four. These are Evaluation of innovation in primary and community care Using the patient experience to improve care Common mental health problems in primary care Health Inequalities Sexual and Reproductive Health Primary Care Trusts Research Priorities We have collaborations with a wide range of institutions, namely the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, Health First, Goldsmiths College, STaRNet, Battersea Research Group, Southwark Research Support Unit, University Hospital Lewisham, St Thomas Hospital, and the Lewisham Local Authority. Our primary research activities include financing practitioner time for research, providing research support via the research fellow, members meetings, newsletters, and dissemination at conferences and via journal publication. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact: Anthony Theuninck Research Fellow Elizabeth Blackwell House Wardalls Grove Avonley Rd London SE14 5ER Telephone 020 7771 5058 Fax 020 7771 5292 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org anthony.theuninck@lewishampct.nhs.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Richard Byng Acting head/advisor to the network Department of General Practice and Primary Care 5 Lambeth Walk London SE11 6SP E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Lothian Primary Care Research Network Lothian Primary Care Research Network (LPCRN) has been in existence for four years, initially funded by the Chief Scientist Office and the Primary Care Directorate of the NHS Management Executive, but now independently supported by the Lothian Health Board . The Network is located within, and managed by, Lothian Primary Care Trust (LPCT), and has formal partnerships with Lothian Health, West Lothian Health Care Trust, Lothian University Hospital Trust, The Department of General Practice at Edinburgh University, and NHS Education for Scotland. These organisations are all represented on the Networks steering committee which meets bi-monthly to manage the network. The role of the steering group is to identify objectives, assess research proposals for requests for Network funding, supervise administration and finances and to develop future direction with regard to training. The Network has taken on responsibility for running SE Scotland SPPIRe, the CSO funded data collecting network. There are 470 people on the Networks mailing list. The membership is multidisciplinary: including all members of the General Practice based primary health care team, in addition to occupational therapists, pharmacists and dentists and colleagues from family planning, secondary care, public health and medical statistics. The Networks aims are to develop the culture of research in primary care, to provide research training for the membership and to develop protocols for, and complete high quality studies that will make a difference to the provision of primary care. To facilitate this research, the scope of the Network operates on a number of levels: as a conduit for participant recruitment for funded multi centre trials; providing mentorship for specific research issues and providing detailed one to one pre-protocol help to novice researchers. The network is currently assisting 44 groups of researchers with primary care related research. One of the main features of the group has been its regular monthly evening meetings which are designed to act as a focus for anyone interested in research within the region. They commence with an informal session to facilitate networking between members, and to allow members to briefly discuss ideas with the Network director and Co-ordinator. This is followed by presentations on two separate research projects. These are intended to be interactive so that presenters can get feedback on their research ideas and so that potential researchers can get ideas on transferable research methods. The meetings are usually attended by between 25 and 30 people including GPs, practice nurses, health visitors, research nurses, speech and language therapists and dentists as well as colleagues from secondary care, occupational therapy, public health and academia. The meetings are PGEA approved by the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Dr Brian McKinstry Medical Director, Lothian Primary Care Research Network University of Edinburgh Community Health Sciences 20 West Richmond St. Edinburgh EH10 5PF Telephone 01316509251 Fax 01316509119 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.sspc.uk.com/html/lothpcrn.html" http://www.sspc.uk.com/html/lothpcrn.html ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr. Brian McKinstry Mersey Primary Care R&D Consortium The Mersey Primary Care R&D Consortium (the Consortium came into existence in April 1999 following a successful application for funding from Budget 1 of the NHS R&D Levy. The Consortium has been created to generate high quality R&D activity, relevant to the needs of primary care. Our objectives are as follows: Increase external funding The Consortium will continue to seek high quality external peer reviewed research funding across its three new activity areas, from established funding bodies including MRC and ESRC, the NHS R&D HTA programme, and EU Framework 6. During 2003-4 we will also work closely with the newly established PCTs on Merseyside, to help them develop their R&D funding objectives. Develop research capacity within primary care on a multi-disciplinary basis - The Consortium will build on a series of seminars held in the first and second years of its activities. Several members of PHCTs have been supported to complete research related higher degree modules. In addition, members of the core research team will continue to provide advice and support at all stages of the research process. Expand consumer involvement As a primary care research organisation, the Consortium is ideally situated to formulate research questions that reflect the concerns of patients and consumers, and to develop novel research methodologies. The inclusion of patients and consumers in primary care research is challenging and time consuming but the potential benefits for the Consortium and for consumers is well worth the effort. Encourage appropriate and relevant dissemination The Consortium will continue to disseminate its findings locally, nationally and internationally. These mechanisms allow updates on consortium activities to reach a wide audience including members of the PHCTs, the general public, patient groups and PCTs. National and international dissemination is encouraged principally through oral and poster presentations at academic and clinical conferences. Increase partnerships and networking The Consortium will continue to foster effective collaborations with cognate R&D organisations. We will build and strengthen our relationship with the University of Liverpool as a Research Sponsor. Plans will also be established this year for the Consortium to play a major role in developing the research agenda of local PCTs. Thus raising the standards of R&D hence more effective care of patients. Benefits: The creation of a consortium specifically for R&D signals the central importance of this activity for the teams within it and offers Merseyside an exemplar of the enormous future potential for primary care-led R&D. This organisation allows us to share and utilise the knowledge, skills and experience of a large group of health care professionals including 39 general practitioners and over 40 nurses of whom a significant proportion have experience in R&D related activity. Secondly, it provides us with a much bigger population for study than is possible on the basis of an individual practice. The Consortium has access to a population of some 70,000 people across a geographical area stretching from Southport, through Bootle and Liverpool to South Cheshire, with socio-economic backgrounds ranging from deprived inner city areas to affluent rural communities. These benefits mean that we will engage in R&D of greater intrinsic value than if acting separately. Website: www.merseyprimarycare.org Mersey Primary Care R&D Consortium Contact for the Federation Gabrielle Marr R&D Manager University of Liverpool Department of Primary Care Whelan Building Brownlow Hill Liverpool L69 3GB Telephone 0151 794 4552 Fax 0151 794 5604 Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" gmarr@liverpool.ac.uk Head of Network Professor Frances Mair Consortium Director University of Liverpool Department of Primary Care Whelan Building Brownlow Hill Liverpool L69 3GB Telephone 0151 794 4552 Fax: 0151 794 5604 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org Midlands PC-CRTU: Midlands Primary Care Clinical Research and Trials Unit The PC-CRTU is the umbrella organisation that encompasses MidReC (Midlands Research Practices Consortium) and the RSF (Research Support Facility), which was previously known as MidReN. This common management structure enables us to prioritise and maximise our activity supported by Budget 1 and Budget 2 funding. MidReC comprises a group of primary care practices that participate in, support and conduct primary care research and development in the West Midlands, which was officially started in April 1998. The core staff are linked to the Department of Primary Care and General Practice at the University of Birmingham. The current network is of over 300 MidReC research active primary care teams and this number continues to increase. The consortium seeks the active involvement of all members of primary care teams as appropriate, but currently this is made up of practices nurses, GPs, practice managers and pharmacist. Our research programmes include; Cardiovascular disease in the community: Epidemiology, prevention and treatment, Screening and Management of Common Diseases in Primary Care, Reducing Ethnic Inequalities in Health and Health Care and Working towards Evidence Based Policy and Practice in Primary Care Mental Health. The RSF has evolved from the primary care research network (MidReN) that has existed in the West Midlands Region since the early 1980s. Budget 2 funding has been secured to provide research facilitation, bursaries, fellowships and in-house training courses open to all members of primary care teams in the region. Courses are supported by handouts/notes plus coursespecific reading lists. A quarterly newsletter is published entitled PC-CRTU Newsletter. Official contact for Federation Ros Salter PC-CRTU R & D Manager The University of Birmingham Primary Care Clinical Research & Trials Unit Department of Primary Care & General Practice Primary Care Clinical Sciences Building Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Telephone 0121 414 6505 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" r.a.salter@bham.ac.uk Website  HYPERLINK "http://medweb5.bham.ac.uk/pcgp/research" http://medweb5.bham.ac.uk/pcgp/research Head of Network Professor Richard Hobbs PC-CRTU Director The University of Birmingham Primary Care Clinical Research & Trials Unit Department of Primary Care and General Practice Primary Care Clinical Sciences Building Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Midlands PC-CRTU: Midlands Primary Care Clinical Research and Trials Unit Additional Contacts Dr Sue Wilson Trials Director Senior Research Fellow The University of Birmingham Primary Care Clinical Research & Trials Unit Department of Primary Care and General Practice Primary Care Clinical Sciences Building Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Sue Clifford/Sheila Bailey Administrators The University of Birmingham Primary Care Clinical Research & Trials Unit Department of Primary Care and General Practice Primary Care Clinical Sciences Building Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Telephone 0121 414 2845 Fax 0121 414 2282 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" s.m.bailey.20@bham.ac.uk  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" s.clifford@bham.ac.uk MRC General Practice Research Framework The Medical Research Council, MRC, General Practice Research Framework, GPRF, set up in 1993, is a national organisation of over 1000 general practices throughout the UK undertaking epidemiological, primary care and health services research. General practitioners and practice nurses are involved and activities are managed, on behalf of the MRC, by the GPRF co-ordinating centre based at the Clinical Trials Unit. Working in partnership with researchers from many disciplines the GPRF serves as a national resource to: Undertake high quality studies that require a coordinated framework of general practices; Facilitate research training of clinicians and non-clinicians in health services research in primary care; Provide a means of disseminating the results of research conducted within the GPRF and to promote implementation where appropriate; And through the coordinating Centre to: Be responsive to MRC strategies and broader national research priorities in primary care; Serve as a means of identifying problems in primary care and work with GPRF doctors and nurses and external researchers to develop high quality research proposals. The GPRF undertakes around 20 research projects at any one time including randomised trials, observational studies, surveys and qualitative research. Most disease areas are covered. Current scientific strategy is to encourage development of projects addressing mental health, sexual health, primary care oncology, palliative care and chronic disease management. The projects underway range from small qualitative studies and pilots involving only a few practices to large case control studies and long-term trials involving over 200 practices. Project funding awarded through the usual peer review systems ranges from 2million to 4million per annum mainly from MRC, the Departments of Health and major charities. Infrastructure funding from MRC, awarded on a quinquennial basis after peer review, is around 1million per annum. GPRF members keep in touch at regional meetings and an annual conference funded by MRC, meetings for specific studies and by newsletters. Smaller groups of members meet to discuss operational issues, such as access to patient information and research governance, and agree standard operating procedures for the conduct of research in the practices. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Ms Joanne Gordon, Administration Manager MRC General Practice Research Framework at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit Stephenson House 158-160 North Gower Street London NW1 2ND Telephone 020 7670 4856 Fax 020 7670 4897 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ MRC General Practice Research Framework Head of Network Dr Madge Vickers Head of GPRF MRC General Practice Research Framework at the Clinical Trials Unit Stephenson House 158-160 North Gower Street London NW1 2ND Telephone 020 7670 4851 Fax 020 7670 4890 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ Additional contact Ms Jeannett Martin Senior Nurse Manager MRC General Practice Research Framework at the Clinical Trials Unit Stephenson House 158-160 North Gower Street London NW1 2ND Telephone 020 7670 4855 Fax 020 7670 4890 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org j.martin@gprf.mrc.ac.uk NELCRAD:North East London Consortium for R&D Tower Hamlets PCT secured the status of PCT Research Management and Governance (RM&G) for the North East London sector in April 2003 having successfully undertaken the role as a pilot site during 2002. This has led to the development of the North East London Consortium for R&D (NELCRAD) led by THPCT. The Consortium arrangement includes four universities, seven PCTs in the North East London StHA and the East London component of the former ELENoR. NELCRADs aim is to Encourage practitioners, whatever their role, to reflect on their practices, to undertake research and to participate in development activities which have the potential to improve standard of Primary Care, Public Health and Community Care in North East London. This is being achieved by Ensuring robust governance of research and development Supporting R&D activity Developing R&D capacity/capability NELCRAD is funded by the NHS R&D Support Funding and Regional Training Funds and supports four Primary Care Research Teams. The Consortium provides research training and bursaries and supports collaborative research with other NHS and academic organisations. The Consortium research is of relevance to the health care needs of the North East London population, particularly in the following programme areas: Public health and health of the community Mental health in the community Effective clinical care Family health and social care Innovations in health services Official contact for Federation Zakia Khatun Research Facilitator 2nd Floor, Nurses Home Mile End Hospital Bancroft Road London E1 4DG Telephone 0207 377 7000 ext 4741 Fax 0207 377 7947 Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" nelcrad@thpct.nhs.uk Head of Network Dr Douglas Russell Lead director for NELCRAD and Medical Director for GPs Tower Hamlets PCT Trust Offices Mile End Hospital Bancroft Road London E1 4DG Telephone 0208 709 5000 Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" Douglas.Russell@thpct.nhs.uk NELCRAD:North East London Consortium for R&D Additional Contact Dr Keith Meadows NELCRAD R&D Manager 2nd Floor, Nurses Home Mile End Hospital Bancroft Road London E1 4DG Telephone 0207 377 7000 ext 4035 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org NoCLoR: North Central London Research Consortium (formerly NoCTeN: North Central Thames Primary Care Network and Camden & Islington NHS Community Healthcare Trust) NoCLoR was launched in October 2003, and plans to offer a one-stop shop for health care researchers in North Central London. NoCLoR is the newly reconfigured research consortium representing local primary care, mental health and community care trusts of Barnet, Camden, Islington, Enfield and Haringey. First launched in March 1998 as NoCTeN - the research network has always been part of a larger, local research consortium. Now, by joining forces, the former main Consortium research office and NoCTeN Office as NoCLoR, will undertake a range of activities, from research management and governance to project support, from research training to research development and implementation. NoCLoRs mission is to continue to build on previous activities, to facilitate and support research which improves service delivery across disciplines and, by being multidisciplinary, to overcome the isolation of one professional group from another. The organisation currently has over 700 members including GPs, nurses, pharmacists, practice managers, physiotherapists and others. NoCLoR aims to bring together key groups to foster the development of a research culture and facilitate a growing programme of primary care research and development activity. In addition, NoCLoR is ideally placed to promote awareness of research themes relevant to the modern urban primary care environment. At the same time, NoCLoR has a responsibility to ensure that the research it supports is of high quality, is well managed, is relevant to primary care, and is disseminated throughout the research and practice communities. It aims to get more health care professionals involved in quality research and have a wide range of schemes to facilitate this, each suited to the level of research. The New Researcher Scheme funds a fixed amount of protected time and dedicated mentor to help develop pilot research proposals, and, after peer review NoCLoR can fund the full costs of undertaking primary care related pilot studies. There are training placement opportunities for long-term research attachments on current NoCTeN studies. There are member practices, which would like to participate in research projects, be collaborators on funded studies or assist with the development of a pilot research project. Funding is available for research centres which prioritise research activity within the centre Researchers can apply for support for projects, whether this be access, pilot project funding, or service reprovision costs for externally funded studies Funds are available to support the costs to the practice for time spent by primary care staff on research related activities In addition to running training events, NoCLoR maintains a database of external research training courses and can support members costs of attending them Advice and support is available for all aspects of research management and governance, including project registration, applications to ethics committees, data protection, honorary contracts. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Ms Josephine Njoki Administrator NoCTeN Department of Primary Care & Population Sciences Royal Free & University College Medical School Archway Campus Holborn Union Building Highgate Hill London N19 5LW Telephone 0207 288 3341 Fax 0207 281 8004 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/primcare-popsci/nocten NoCLoR: North Central London Research Consortium Consortium Director: Professor Paul Wallace Professor of Primary Care Department of Primary Care & Population Sciences Royal Free & University College Medical School Royal Free Campus Rowland Hill Street London NW3 2PF Telephone 0207 830 2340 Fax 0207 431 9114 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________  Additional contacts Dr Paul Fox Director of Research Operations Research & Development Unit St Pancras Conference Centre West Wing St. Pancras Hospital London NW1 0PE Telephone 0207 530 5375 Fax 0207 530 5375 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" paul.fox@camdenpct.nhs.uk Ms Elaine Ward Research Coordinator Department of Primary Care & Population Sciences Royal Free & University College Medical School Archway Campus Holborn Union Building Highgate Hill London N19 5LW Telephone 0207 288 3475 Fax 0207 281 8004 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Dr Greta Rait Chair, Research Peer Review Group NoCTeN Department of Primary Care & Population Sciences Royal Free & University College Medical School Archway Campus Highgate Hill London N19 3UA Telephone 0207 288 3497 Fax 0207 281 8004 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Northern Dental Research Initiative & Links (NorDRIL) NorDRIL is a new emerging primary care dental network in the North of England. Aims To facilitate research in primary dental care that is high quality, meaningful, fundable, publishable and competitive. To raise the profile and relevance or primary care dental research through a postgraduate education programme using the outcomes to build a sound basis on which to change culture and build infrastructure. NorDRIL feel that these aims are consistent with the Modernisation agenda, will promote evidence based practice and provide an opportunity for primary care practitioners to make a meaningful contribution. Objectives Provide education and training Provide a mentoring network Provide research support Promote collaborative projects Provide an administrative structure Provide advocacy for the network and the profession For more information, visit our website: www.nordril.co.uk _________________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation and Head of Network Paul Averley (Chair of NorDRIL Steering Committee) c/o Queensway Dental Practice and Anxiety Management Clinic 170 Queensway Billingham TS23 2NT Telephone 01642 554667 Fax 01642 513799 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" paul@averley.com _________________________________________________________________________________ Website www.nordril.co.uk _________________________________________________________________________________ NoReN: Northern Primary Care Research Network NoReN was one of the first Primary Care Research Networks to be formed in the UK. Its basic philosophy and principles of operation have provided a blueprint for a growing number of networks both in the UK and abroad. In the year 2000 a successful Culyer bid enabled the Network to launch as a Virtual Faculty in the North East of England. Strong relationships with regional universities help maximise the benefits of collaborative alliances. The faculty seeks to provide Mentoring and individual support A central independent resource infrastructure Collaborative research activity and partnerships Research project management Dissemination information The faculty responds to all professional staff involved in health care; medical, nursing PAMs, scientists and others. A newsletter and website keep the membership of approximately 200 researchers in touch with current initiatives. ____________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Miss Terri Harding Network Coordinator NoReN The Health Centre Sunningdale Drive Eaglescliffe Stockton on Tees Cleveland TS16 9EA Telephone 01642 789026 Fax 01642 789706 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org  Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.noren.co.uk" www.noren.co.uk ____________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Professor Greg Rubin Director NoReN The Health Centre Sunningdale Drive Eaglescliffe Stockton on Tees Cleveland TS16 9EA Telephone 01642 789026 Fax 01642 789706 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ____________________________________________________________________________ NoReN: Northern Primary Care Research Network Additional contact Ann Ellis Administrative Secretary The Health Centre Sunningdale Drive Eaglescliffe Stockton on Tees Cleveland TS16 9EA Telephone 01642 789026 Fax 01642 789706 North Staffordshire GP Research Network ____________________________________________________________________________ The Network includes a core of 16 general practices in North Staffordshire committed to continuous computerised morbidity recording, to support a primary care research programme that is developed and conducted in partnership with Primary Care Sciences at Keele University. Our research interests centre on establishing patterns of consultation and effective primary care management of common symptoms in primary care, particularly musculoskeletal pain. The Network has initiated and now hosts a large programme of research including trials funded by ARC, a large programme from the MRC supports ongoing work on optimal management of osteoarthritis in primary care, and a number of other projects are supported by Wellcome and NHS(E) grants. To this end, the Network has established the North Staffordshire Primary Care Research Consortium to secure Support for Science and Priorities and Needs funding to underpin this research. The Network works alongside the Consortium to establish research career opportunities for members of the Primary Care Teams and we now support a number of clinical academic GP and Physiotherapy posts. We also fund a number of PhD/MD research training fellowships for GPs as well as physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Contact for the Federation Rhian Hughes Research Manager North Staffordshire GP Research Network Primary Care Sciences Research Centre Keele University Keele Staffordshire ST5 5BG Telephone: 01782 583918 Fax: 01782 583911 Email:  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" r.w.hughes@cphc.keele.ac.uk Head of Network Professor Peter Croft Director Address as above Telephone: 01782 583918 Fax: 01782 583911 Email:  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" p.r.croft@cphc.keele.ac.uk Additional Contacts Addresses as above Tracey Whitehurst Health Informatics Specialist & Network Coordinator Telephone: 01782 583923 Fax: 01782 583911 Email:  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" t.whitehurst@cphc.keele.ac.uk Helen Ogden Health Informatics Specialist Ian Ronald Health Informatics Specialist Dr Mark Porcheret GP Lead NTRA: North Trent Research Alliance NTRA (previously known as BACReN) was formed in July 1999. It has a multi professional membership: GPs, practice nurses, district nurses, health visitors, hospital consultants (all specialities), PAMs. The membership is based Bassetlaw, Doncaster and Sheffield. Annual funding is 10,000. There are formal links with the Institute of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Sheffield. Range of activities includes R&D clinics, master classes, conferences and symposia. NTRA produces a monthly newsletter. Main focus of research is the interface between primary care and secondary care. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Dr Moyez Jiwa Director Institute of General Practice and Primary Care University of Sheffield Community Sciences Building Northern General Hospital Herries Road Sheffield S5 7AU Telephone 0114 271 5561 Fax 0114 242 2136 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org m.jiwa@sheffield.ac.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Moyez Jiwa ___________________________________________________________________________ Oxford Research Development Support Consortium The Oxford Research Development Support Consortium (RDSC) is a resource for health professionals working within Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. It consists of a group of academic units in Oxford who are part-funded by the NHS R&D Programme to provide advice and support to those wishing to undertake research relating to the health services. The RDSC can provide several levels of support from answering simple enquiries about libraries or research training courses to providing more specific advice for those who feel able and ready to develop a research idea for funding. ____________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Dr Sophie Hyndman Oxford RDSC Health Services Research Unit Department of Public Health University of Oxford Institute of Health Sciences Old Road Headington Oxford OX3 7LF Telephone 01865 226819 Fax 01865 226711 E-mail  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org sophie.hyndman@dphpc.ox.ac.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Co-ordinator RDSC Dr Sophie Hyndman ____________________________________________________________________________ PCRN Northants: Primary Care Research Network for Northants PCRN for Northants is a county based network based at University College Northampton. A facilitator was first appointed in October 1997 on the basis of a 0.6 WTE. It has a membership which comprises 88% health care professionals, 6% Health Authority and Trusts, 6% Primary Care Trust members and managers and 1% others. Professional groups include academic, public health and Trust members and members of clinical effectiveness teams. The predominate membership includes GPs, community and practice nurses, health visitors, research nurses, pharmacists and an osteopath. It has a link with RDAC, a consortia of ambulance trusts from the old Oxford region with a interest in developing a research and evidence based culture within their ranks. It receives about 24.000 per annum from R&D levy SE Region NHSE with strong links with other local networks in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. It provides practical research advice and input awareness raising research training and responsive training in more specialised R&D areas such as IPR or statistical package workshops. It also links interested practitioners in collaborative work on many levels. A Newsletter is published three times a year but is updated regularly on the local internet site and NHS Net: http://195.105.71.11/pcrn/index.htn ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Rose Streeton Primary Care R&D Facilitator Centre for Healthcare Education Thornby 2, Park Campus University College Northampton Boughton Green Road Northampton NN2 7AL Telephone 01604 735500 ext 2669 Fax 01604 791954 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org  ___________________________________________________________________________ Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Primary Care Research Network As a result of the changes arising from the DoHs Shifting the Balance of Power (StBoP) policies and implementation of the New NHS, a Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Primary Care Research Network has been reformed from CLARINET. The PCTs covered by the Network include North and South Peterborough PCTs, East Cambridgeshire and Fenland, Huntingdon, South Cambridgeshire, and Cambridge City PCTs. Cambridge City was designated by the other PCTs to lead on R&D on their behalf. The management of the Network is based in Cambridge under the auspices of a partnership established between the PCTs and the Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Cambridge. It is one of a number of functions, including Research Management and Governance support for PCTs, provided by a Partnership Team. The team also houses the facilitator for the Cambridgeshire Research Development Support Group whose constituents extend beyond PCTs to include local hospital and the Mental Health Trusts. Two part time PCRN facilitators (a nurse and a GP) were recently appointed this year to ensure coverage for constituent members in the north of Cambridgeshire. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Dr Suan Goh Director - Peterborough and Cambridgeshire PCRN and Consultant in Public Health R&D Partnership Team Cambridge City PCT Nightingale Court Fulbourn Cambridge CB1 5EE Telephone 01223 884 268 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Suan Goh __________________________________________________________________________ RCGP Research Group The RCGP Group is not a primary care research network as such, but is a committee that is part of the RCGP structure. However, its primary purpose, in line with that of PCRNs, is to encourage and facilitate research in general practice and primary care and to promote the use of research findings to enhance patient care and improve service delivery. The group was formed in 1994 and has about 25 members and includes representatives of other organisations involved in primary care research including the UK Federation of Primary Care Research Networks, the Association of University Departments of General Practice, the Medical Research Council, the RCN Research Institute; representatives of the R&D Directorates of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre. Its activities are, for the most part, designed to be of interest to all primary health care professionals involved in research. They include: Research Methods Training Master classes have been developed to cover qualitative methods, statistical concepts, use and design of questionnaires, RCTs and multi-centre research, patient participation in research, obtaining research funding, epidemiological research in primary care and health informatics for primary care. Workbooks are published in association with each of the master classes for individual or group work purposes. It is possible to arrange for these master classes to be rolled out across the UK. Contact Fenny Green for more information if you are interested running a master class locally. Advice Practical advice and guidance is available from the in the Colleges Research Office, the Research Group, and the Colleges National Research Adviser. This includes advice on research methodologies, funding, and getting started in research. A wide range of information is available on the research pages of the College web site  HYPERLINK "http://www.rcgp.org.uk" www.rcgp.org.uk A database of current research in general practice and primary care, Research intelligence, is also held on the research pages. A booklet is available giving practical advice on how to do a higher research degree, which can be downloaded from the web site. Funding From time to time the Research Group is able to offer Research Training Fellowships to general practitioners who are members of the College. Information on these is posted on the web site. The Colleges Scientific Foundation Board is able to fund small scale projects of relevance to general practice and considers applications from any member of the primary care team or other professionals engaged in primary care research. Symposia and Seminars The Research Group organises Research Symposiums and Seminars on a regular basis. These look at topical issues in research and include a number of practical workshops, Information on these is available on the web site. Accreditation of primary care R&D in general practice The Research Group manages the Primary Care Research Team Assessment Scheme. This scheme not only offers accreditation but also enables practices wishing to develop their research interests and activities to do so. More information on the scheme and how to apply is available on the Research Groups web site: http://www.rcgp.org.uk/rcgp/research/accreditation/accred_index.asp or contact the PCRTA Project Officer at the College. ___________________________________________________________________________ RCGP Research Group Official contact for Federation Miss Fenny Green Research Administrator Research Office Royal College of General Practitioners 14 Princes Gate London SW71PU Telephone 0207 581 3232 Fax 0207 589 1428 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.rcgp.org.uk" www.rcgp.org.uk (click on research) ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Professor Amanda Howe RCGP Chairman of Research Royal College of General Practitioners 14 Princes Gate London SW71PU Telephone and E-mail through Fenny Green ___________________________________________________________________________ SaNDNet: Somerset & North & East Devon Primary Care Research Network ____________________________________________________________________________ SaNDNet is a tripartite primary care research network, made up of 2 local Research & Development Support Units (RDSUs) in Exeter and Taunton and the Peninsula Medical School. It has a carousel model using 5 local SaNDNet facilitators, each has a geographical area and relates to primary care professionals in their patch. The majority of the facilitators are based in the RDSUs. It is funded by the Department of Health to the value of 70,000 pa. SaNDNet has a range of activities including the provision of research methods courses in both quantitative and qualitative research, provision of one-to-one consultations through its facilitators and facilitation of multi-practice studies. SaNDNet also provides an important resource to its 9 local research general practices which are funded either from Culyer funding or Regional funding. Regular meetings are held to support these practices and to encourage their research activity. SaNDNet studies at present include a study examining extraneous factors affecting anti-coagulation and a diabetes screening project. SaNDNet bursaries are available to a value of 500 to facilitate any research activity but not to provide project funding. Small grants of up to 2,500 are also available. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Dr Philip Evans Network Director Peninsula Medical School Postgraduate Medical Centre Barrack Road Exeter EX2 5DW Telephone 01392 403011 Fax 01392 403011 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Philip Evans ___________________________________________________________________________ Additional contacts Dr Kieran Sweeney Facilitator Exeter and North Devon RDSU Noy Scott House Haldon View Terrace Exeter EX2 5EQ Telephone 01392 403047 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org SaNDNet: Somerset & North & East Devon Primary Care Research Network Dr Lindsay Smith Facilitator Westlake Surgery High Street West Coker Somerset BA22 9AH Telephone 01935 862212 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Dr Jeffrey Allen Facilitator Somerset RDSU Taunton & Somerset Hospital Musgrove Park Taunton TA2 5DA Telephone 01823 344179 Fax 01823 342799 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" Jeffrey.Allen@tst.nhs.uk Mrs Joy Choules Secretary SaNDNet office Peninsula Medical School (Primary Care) Postgraduate Medical Centre Barrack Road Exeter EX2 5DW Scottish School of Primary Care Formed in 2000, The Scottish School of Primary Care is the national organisation promoting research and increasing capacity for research in primary care across Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department, the Scottish School is part of the new Health Board, NHS Education for Scotland. The school has 3 main areas of activity the development of programmes of research (focussed on Organisation of Care; Cancer in Primary Care; and Family-based Epidemiology); the development and implementation of a strategy to increase capacity and capability; and a programme to develop a more synergistic relationship between research and service or policy development (particularly focussing on NHS-24 and Managed Clinical Networks). It is the second area of activity, Capacity and Capability that involves most collaboration with primary care research networks and other support organisations. The Capacity activity revolves around the set up of SPPIRe - Scottish Practices and Professionals Involved in Research. This is a Scottish Wide framework for facilitating high quality research studies based in primary care. SPPIRe is operationalised through 4 regional nodes based in the West, North, South East and East of Scotland. Most of these nodes are operated by existing or former Scottish Primary Care Research Networks in collaboration with local academic units. The Capability activity is focussed on strategic work to ensure that primary care professionals in Scotland have access to a comprehensive range of research training opportunities and funding mechanisms to support these. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Dr. Lucy McCloughan Research Education Manager Scottish School of Primary Care NHS Education for Scotland The Lister Postgraduate Institute 11 Hill Square Edinburgh EH8 9DR Telephone 0131 650 9837 Fax 0131 651 4010 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" lucy.mccloughan@nes.scot.nhs.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Director of SSPC: Dr. Sally Wyke Scottish School of Primary Care NHS Education for Scotland The Lister Postgraduate Institute 11 Hill Square Edinburgh EH8 9DR Telephone 0131 651 4009 Fax 01310 651 4010 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" sally.wyke@nes.scot.nhs.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ STaRNet London STaRNet (the London South Thames research network) was conceived in 1996 and launched in 1997 by the Professors Hilton, Jones and Higgs, the three Professors in General Practice in south London. STaRNet London was set up in response to the Mant report which highlighted the under funding and low profile of primary care research at the time. STaRNet was funded by the NHS Executive South Thames to address the problems highlighted by the Mant Report, in particular to build research capacity and research awareness amongst primary care staff. Fifteen lead practices were recruited to become part of a network of research and implementation general practices across the region. These original members not only conducted their own research, including achieving external peer reviewed grant awards and peer reviewed publications, but also recruited and supported new associate member to become active researchers. STaRNet achieved all its strategic aims in both output and capacity building. Following NHS Executive Regional Office reorganisation in 1999, STaRNet was sited in both London and the South East Regional Areas. In recognition of the differing health needs of the population and capacity building needs in the primary care workforce in the two regions STaRNet divided into two networks in April 2001. STaRNet London has worked with the London Regional office of the NHS Executive to develop a strategic plan that addresses the specific health needs of the population of south London. It works closely and co-operatively with the sister South London Research Networks, the Battersea Research Group and the Lewisham Research Consortium. This joint working has included designing and running training for primary care researchers at all stages of their development. All primary care workers are free to join the network and have equal access to funding which is used to raise research awareness and involvement of primary care workers and patients throughout south London. It continues the strong relationship with the departments of general practice that founded it; in addition, new and exciting links with the Faculty of Health at South Bank University have been made. __________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Paul Pennant STaRNet London Administrator Department of General Practice and Primary Care St Georges Hospital Medical School 6th Floor Hunter Wing Cranmer Terrace London SW17 0RE Telephone 020 8725 2769 Fax 020 8767 7697 Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" p.pennant@sghms.ac.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Gill Rowlands Director, STaRNet London Dept of General Practice and Primary Care St. Georges Hospital Medical School 6th Floor Hunter Wing Cranmer Terrace London SW17 0RE Telephone 020 8725 1312 Fax 020 8767 7697 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" growlands@sghms.ac.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ SuNet: Suffolk and Norfolk Primary Care Research Network SuNet is the Primary Care Research Network for Suffolk and Norfolk, based in the School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice at the University of East Anglia and funded by a grant from the Department of Health. There is one full-time research facilitator, with some part-time clinical and clerical support. Further expertise is on hand within the university in many areas: statistics, epidemiology, health economics, health psychology, clinical psychology, medical geography, public health, general practice medicine and community paediatrics. SuNet has 250 members and membership is individual and free. The membership includes academic researchers, GPs, nurses, practice managers, pharmacists, midwives, podiatrists, therapists and many others. As one of the smaller research networks, SuNet has focused on developing local communications and information systems, also giving ad hoc support and advice to individual researchers. SuNet members have been encouraged to develop their research skills by attending training courses, including the modular M.Sc. in Health Sciences at the University of East Anglia. SuNet has further collaborated with PCTs and other Trusts in developing short training workshops in research skills and critical appraisal. Other activities have included regular meetings in Norfolk and Suffolk, a bi-monthly newsletter and a website. In recent months, SuNet has moved towards providing more concrete collaboration with general practices and health trusts, as they face the challenge of mapping their research activities, introducing governance arrangements, planning their research programmes and training their staff. It is anticipated that SuNets future work will increasingly be driven by a portfolio of specific studies, with more tangible outputs than hitherto. These studies will be located in the emerging research partnerships and consortia. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Roy Marsh SuNet Facilitator School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ Telephone 01603 593746 Fax 01603 593752 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.sunet.co.uk" http://www.sunet.co.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Additional contacts Dr Mike McCullagh Primary Care Research Network Coordinator Orchard Street Medical Centre Orchard Street Ipswich IP4 2UP Telephone 01473 213261 Fax 01473 287741 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" mmccullagh@email.msn.com For NHS and clinical matters. SuNet: Suffolk and Norfolk Primary Care Research Network Professor Amanda Howe Professor of Primary Care School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org For national programmes / strategy and student training. SWARM: South-West Area Research Movement in Primary Care The SWARM network is hosted by the Peninsula Medical School (PMS), based at the Plymouth PMS headquarters. The geographic area covered by SWARM takes in South and West Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. SWARM was formally launched in 1997. Policy is determined by the Steering Group which comprises the SWARM Chairman, the Coordinators of the RDSUs at Truro, Plymouth and Torbay, the PMS Professor of Primary Care and General Practice, the SWARM facilitators and research manager. The PCTs are also represented. Within the network there is a 600 strong membership which engages in significant, ongoing research activity. This includes 44 Principal Investigators and five Research Practices. Disciplines included in the network are: Nursing, Medicine, Psychology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Practice Management, other Scientists, other Health Service staff. Currently 63 research projects (19 funded) are underway, including two centrally organised Network Projects. Research areas include: risk factor reduction for myocardial infarction (Primary and Secondary) asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease communication and change in mental health infections in general practice (UTI, Strep throat, Bacterial Vaginosis) indicators of health service need facilitating breast feeding parents and offenders with learning disability indoor air and health The Network is funded primarily by NHS Executive (South). The approach taken to supporting, and enhancing research activity includes: Individual support for projects and funding applications Regular research workshops held across Devon and Cornwall Two major conferences per year Bursary and grant schemes Research support through the University A regular newsletter Regular communication about SWARM and other research activities across the Peninsula ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Chris Fox Research Manager Department of Primary Care Peninsula Medical School ITTC Tamar Science Park Derriford Plymouth, PL6 8BX Telephone 01752 764230 Fax 01752 764230 Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" chris.fox@pms.ac.uk Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.ppms.plymouth.ac.uk/~swarm" http://www.ppms.plymouth.ac.uk/~swarm SWARM: South-West Area Research Movement in Primary Care Head of Network Dr Rupert Jones SWARM Acting Director Department of Primary Care Peninsula Medical School ITTC Tamar Science Park Derriford Plymouth, PL6 8BX Telephone 01752 764230 Fax 01752 764230 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ Additional contacts Ms Ruth Newport Primary Care Research Facilitator Peninsula Medical School ITTC Tamar Science Park Derriford Plymouth, PL6 8BX Telephone 01752 764230 Fax 01752 764230 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org Ms Stephanie Heard Primary Care Research Facilitator Peninsula Medical School ITTC Tamar Science Park Derriford Plymouth, PL6 8BX Telephone 01752 764230 Fax 01752 764230 Email  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org sheard@plymouth.ac.uk Ms Wendy Miller SWARM Secretary Department of Primary Care Peninsula Medical School ITTC Tamar Science Park Derriford Plymouth, PL6 8BX Telephone 01752 764230 Fax 01752 764230 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org Thames Valley Primary Care Research Network ~ TVPCRN The Thames Valley Primary Care Research Network incorporates the former County Networks of Berkshire (BerksNet), Buckinghamshire (ResNET) and Oxfordshire (PRONet). To maintain the loyalty of the Network membership, the County names are used as hosts for, for example, conferences, interest group meetings and education and training sessions, whilst at the same time extending invitations to attend from members across the Thames Valley. Work is currently being undertaken to incorporate the membership lists, including interests and research projects, into one database, which will be managed centrally by the to-be-appointed administrator. The Newsletter will also bring together updates, funding, courses and contacts across the whole region. To co-ordinate TVPCRN, Dr Paul Yerrell was appointed in February 2002 and is based at Oxford Centre for Healthcare Research & Development (OCHRAD) at Oxford Brookes University. Rosemary Walsh was appointed in September 2002 as Primary Care Research Network Facilitator for PRONet and from November 2002 as the BerksNet Facilitator. Rosemary works between SE Oxfordshire PCT, OCHRAD at Oxford Brookes University and the Centre for Primary Care and Public Health at the University of Reading. Karen Saunders continues as Facilitator for ResNET based at Research Centre for Health Studies, Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (BCUC). The location, contact details and host PCTs are listed below. PCT and University Hosts Host PCTHost UniversityDirectorSlough PCT Oxford Centre for Healthcare Research & Development (OCHRAD) Oxford Brookes University (OBU)AdministratorSlough PCT  OCHRAD OBU PRONet FacilitatorSlough PCT Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (CPCPH) The University of Reading (UR) BerksNet FacilitatorSouth East Oxon PCT OCHRAD OBU ResNET FacilitatorVale of Aylesbury PCT Research Centre for Health Studies (RCHS) Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (BCUC) Official contact for Federation Magdalen Hoskins Administrator, TVPCRN Oxford Centre for Healthcare R&D Oxford Brookes University 44 London Road Headington Oxford OX3 7PD Telephone 01865 485507 Fax 01865 485278 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Thames Valley Primary Care Research Network ~ TVPCRN Head of Network Dr Paul Yerrell Director, TVPCRN Oxford Centre for Healthcare R&D Oxford Brookes University 44 London Road Headington Oxford OX3 7PD Telephone 01865 485295 Fax 01865 485278 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org ___________________________________________________________________________ Additional contact Karen Saunders Research Centre for Health Studies Bucks Chilterns University College Gorelands Lane Chalfont St Giles Bucks HP8 4AD Telephone 01494 522141 ext 2283 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org Trent Focus The Trent Focus was formed in 1995 by a consortium of six academic departments across four universities: De Montfort, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield. Geographically, the Trent Focus covers the whole of the area previously covered by the Trent Regional Office of the NHS and has bases in Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield. The Trent Focus provides a wide range of support to all professional groups represented in primary care. There is no formal membership. Some of the main activities are: Providing practical help and advice to individuals and teams undertaking research. Research training needs assessment and advice on available appropriate training. Facilitating research seminars, study days and workshops on research methods and research topics. The Primary Care supported research Training Programme is a year-long programme that supports individuals undertaking research through study days, supervision and mentorhip. The Collaborative Research Network is a network of 55 practices willing to collaborate in research projects. The Designated Research Team scheme provides funding for a limited number of teams to develop their research experience to a level where they are capable of attracting research funding. Initiating and collaborating on research projects. Supporting PCTs with research management and governance and research capacity development. An Information Service assists with literature searching and identifying sources of funding. Annual funding is approximately 500K. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official Contact for Federation Beverley Hancock Training and Developments Coordinator Trent Focus Division of Primary Care University of Nottingham 13th Floor, Tower Building University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD Telephone 0115 8466909 Fax 0115 8466910 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" beverley.hancock@nottingham.ac.uk Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.trentfocus.org.uk" http://www.trentfocus.org.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Andrew Wilson Trent Focus Regional Coordinator Dept of General Practice and Primary Health Care University of Leicester Leicester General Hospital Leicester LE5 4PW Telephone 0116 258 4622 Fax 0116 258 4982 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" aw7@leicester.ac.uk ___________________________________________________________________________ Trent Focus Additional contacts Val Brown Administrator Trent Focus Division of Primary Care University of Nottingham 13th Floor, Tower Building University Park Nottingham NG7 2UH Telephone 0115 8466912 Fax 0115 8466910 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Warwick - West Midlands Primary Care Research Warwick-West Midlands Primary Care Research provides a critical mass of academics working in a variety of departments and universities around the region who focus on primary care research. The productivity of our research, however, is dependent upon the participation of these academics in informal networking with other academics and health care professionals. Such networking leads to the development of research teams and research proposals often spanning many institutions and disciplines. This networking is reflected in the breadth and depth of our research activities, and includes networks of researchers nationally and internationally. Warwick-West Midlands Primary Care Research aims to: - contribute to improving the evidence-base and quality of NHS primary care services - provide research leadership and co-ordination to increase the output of relevant research - guide and support NHS health practitioners who already have research experience and want to develop their research activity through a Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants scheme. Warwick-West Midlands Primary Care Research focuses it research expertise on four programmes: 1. Access and Inequalities 2. Modernising Primary Care and Social Care and their interfaces 3. Emergency Care 4. The Patient Experience, Self Management and the 'Expert Patient' These research areas reflect the NHS research priorities as set out by the Department of Health. Furthermore in their assessment of 2002/03 Annual Reports each one of these programmes was assessed as "strong" (the highest possible assessment) by the Department of Health Research & Development. Warwick-West Midlands Primary Care Research also works closely with the Coventry & Warwickshire GP Research Consortium to develop the infrastructure and support required carrying out research in the practice setting. Through close collaboration with the post graduate teaching provided by the Centre for Primary Health Care Studies at the University of Warwick (CPHCS), we have developed flexible accessible research training that aims to meet the needs of health care professions while retaining the rigour associated with University teaching and University awards. The Research Office and staff of Warwick-West Midlands Primary Care Research, are based in the Centre for Primary Health Care Studies at the University of Warwick. The Centre for Primary Health Care Studies, is an integral part of the Division of Health in the Community - one of 3 Divisions within the Warwick Medical School - and includes research groups in primary care, public health/epidemiology and psychiatry. The other 2 Divisions are the Division of Clinical Sciences and the Division of Education, which covers undergraduate and postgraduate education, research and development. Official contact for Federation Krysia Saul Research Administrator, Centre for Primary Health Care Studies, University of Warwick CV4 7AL Telephone 024 7657 3163 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" krysia.saul@warwick.ac.uk WeLReN: West London Research Network This multidisciplinary network of primary care individuals and practices interested in research was formed in April 1998 and covers four health authority areas, Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster. It has an annual budget of 251,027. In June 2000 membership was 1037 members of which there are four categories. There is an organisational membership of those involved in primary care. These could include a general practice or Primary Care Group. The organisation as a member of WeLReN must agree three individuals of different disciplines to be contact members for their organisation. Contact members are one of three individually named people from different disciplines from a member organisation. They agree to act as a gateway for WeLReN to that organisation. An Associate member can be any primary care worker operating in the area who is not a contact member and Key ally members are those not in the other categories. WeLReN has a whole system approach that encourages the development of coalitions of interest, debate across sectors about research priorities and the simultaneous development of complementary top-down and bottom-up research. The aim is to intimately connect research (that is to find reliable answers to important questions) with education (the learning of individuals and organisations so that they can grow) and local service development (that is services appropriate to the health needs of the population served and within the capacity of local service providers). It aims to be multidisciplinary and inter-sectoral, to facilitate top down and bottom up research at the same time; to facilitate quantitative and qualitative methods side by side and to be holistic facilitating a change towards reflective and questioning practice. From April 2001 WeLReN has operated from the Parkside Health NHS Trust with a view to being hosted permanently in one of the merging PCTs. The network retains its links with the Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) where there is a Research Support Team (RST). It also collaborates with other IC departments and 7 other universities. There is a wide range of activities: it has an inter-active bi-monthly bulletin that asks for its members views about current issues and next steps for the network. This is the backbone of ongoing dialogue. An Annual Conference is arranged in June where members and primary care workers have the opportunity to exchange ideas, display posters and prioritise research for the following year. Theme Groups have been formed of people interested in priority themes arising from the conference learn research skills with other professionals while developing a research question. There are opportunities for experienced researchers to get support for research that will achieve results quickly. Monthly meetings are held for researchers who wish to strengthen their research skills. The learning programme is designed by interested researchers and delivered by expert speakers. Research projects emerge through the theme group programme and continue to be supported and monitored by the RST through to publication. There is also a bi-monthly meeting of WeLReN researchers to report on their work in progress and to give and receive feedback. ___________________________________________________________________________ WeLReN: West London Research Network ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Mr Ricky Banersee Director of WeLReN Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice Centre for Primary Care and Social Medicine Faculty of Medicine Imperial College of Science, technology and Medicine Reynolds Building St Dunstan's Road London W6 8RP Telephone 020 7594 3383 Fax 020 7594 0854 E.mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org." rickyb@parkside.nhs.uk Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.welren.org" www.welren.org ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Ricky Banersee ___________________________________________________________________________ Additional contacts Angela Whyte WeLReN Secretary Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice Centre for Primary Care and Social Medicine Faculty of Medicine Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine Reynolds Building St Dunstan's Road London W6 8RP Telephone 020 7594 3356 Fax 020 7594 0854 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org Liz Richards (Paul Pennant, Maternity Cover til June 04) WeLReN Administrator Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice Centre for Primary Care and Social Medicine ICSM, Charing Cross Campus Reynolds Building St Dunstan's Road London W6 8RP Telephone 020 7594 3388 Fax 020 7594 0854 Email contact@ukf-pcrn.org WoReN: The Wolds Primary Care Research Network The Wolds Primary Care Research Network was formed in 1996 and covers East Yorkshire and North and North-east Lincolnshire. Its annual funding is around 48K. Staff comprises a research facilitator (Val Featherstone) whose interests are health psychology and qualitative research paradigms. An administrator (Julie Garner) works 15 hours per week. A pro-active committee of various professionals and practitioners in primary care support the network. The network chairman is Professor Peter Campion from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Hull. WoReN is essentially a grass roots orientated organisation attracting a multi-disciplinary membership including physiotherapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and GPs. There is a twice-yearly newsletter and members are informed monthly of research oriented activities within WoReN and other organisations. Meetings and workshops are open to all professionals including academic disciplines and people from outside the WoReN patch are welcome to attend these. A Statistician is available, free of charge (within reason!) to members as is free advice on ethical issues. . All areas of research are covered from initial thoughts on a research question to writing up the results for publication. These areas are covered increasingly in the form of practical workshops which include formal teaching and hands on sessions. A major feature of this network is its interest in the qualitative research paradigm and WoReN has a commitment towards a formal training programme in this area. This will equip researchers to undertake work in this paradigm to a degree of excellence, covering the whole process from identifying appropriate samples, analysing the data collected to the final writing-up of the findings and critical appraisal of qualitative papers. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Val Featherstone, BA; MA; Dip Psych. Research Facilitator College House East Riding Campus Beverley Road Willerby HU10 6NS Telephone 01482 466958 Fax 01482 466958 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website http://www.hull.ac.uti/php/nssrac/Woren ___________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Dr Raghu Nath Chairman College House East Riding Campus Beverley Road Willerby HU10 6NS Telephone 01482 466988 Fax 01482 466988 ___________________________________________________________________________ WoReN: The Wolds Primary Care Research Network Additional contact Julie Garner Administrator College House East Riding Campus Beverley Road Willerby HU10 6NS Telephone 01482 466958 Fax 01482 466958 WReN: Wessex Primary Care Research Network The Wessex Primary Care Research Network (WReN) was formed in 1994. It covers the old Wessex Region which includes Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight but there are also a small number of members from surrounding counties. Membership has extended beyond the Primary Health Care Team. We have 700 members who represent a wide range of professional groups. The WReN team provides help and advice free of charge at any stage of the research process. Most of our members needs can be met by the team but a network of specialists can be drawn upon for more technical problems. WReN is based within the Department of Primary Care of the University of Southampton but in addition to these formal links, it has good relationships with other local universities such as Portsmouth and Bournemouth. WReN is able to offer a limited amount of financial support in the form of bursaries of up to 500 to assist members to buy some protected time to prepare protocols and grant applications. WReN works closely with the RDSUs to offer courses and workshops in various aspects of research. Together we shape the future educational programme so that it is relevant to people coming from many different backgrounds with a varied range of research experience. WReN shares information with its members in a number of ways; it offers a free quarterly newsletter edited by our Deputy Director. Information is circulated by email to any member with electronic access and we have a website which is frequently updated. WReN holds its Annual Research Day which is a one day conference that gives members the opportunity to disseminate their research findings orally or as a poster. WReN is committed to supporting research at all levels from small individual projects to large multicentre ones involving many members. Currently WReN is in the early stages of setting up a Research Management and Governance Unit involving a consortium of twelve PCTs. This exciting new venture is a response to changes in R&D structure. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Joan Dunleavey Research Co-ordinator WReN Primary Medical Care Aldermoor Health Centre Aldermoor Close Southampton SO16 5ST Telephone 023 8024 1067 Fax 023 80701125 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org  HYPERLINK mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org  Website  HYPERLINK "http://www.soton.ac.uk/-wren/" http://www.soton.ac.uk/-wren/ __________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Professor Tony Kendrick Acting WReN Director Primary Medical Care Aldermoor Health Centre Aldermoor Close Southampton SO16 5ST Telephone 023 80241050 Fax 023 8070 1125 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" ark1@soton.ac.uk WReN: Wessex Primary Care Research Network Additional contacts Dr Michael Moore Deputy WReN Director Three Swans Surgery Rollestone Street Salisbury SP1 1DX Telephone 023 80241055 Fax 023 80701125 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" research.3swans@virgin.net Dr Jenny Baverstock WReN Academic Manager Primary Medical Care Aldermoor Health Centre Aldermoor Close Southampton SO16 5ST Telephone 023 80241055 Fax 023 80701125 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Sylvia Craigie-Halkett WReN Secretary WReN Primary Medical Care Aldermoor Health Centre Aldermoor Close Southampton SO16 5ST Telephone 023 80241055 Fax 023 80701125 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Ann Chivers WReN Secretary WReN Primary Medical Care Aldermoor Health Centre Aldermoor Close Southampton SO16 5ST Telephone 023 8024 1055 Fax 023 8070 1125 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org YReN: Yorkshire Primary Care Research Network YReN is the research network covering West (Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale, Wakefield) and North (Skipton, Harrogate, York, Scarborough) Yorkshire. Other parts of Yorkshire are covered by our sister networks WoReN and Trent Focus. We are based in the Centre for Research in Primary Care at the University of Leeds. We have no formal membership but regularly communicate with some 550 research interested and active primary care practitioners. Our work includes provision of research training, support and mentorship for individuals and groups interested in the development of research. We work closely with the eight designated research practices in the YReN area. In addition, we are administrative lead for three research programmes, developed in collaboration with local academics and practitioners. These are around the themes of Public Health Nutrition, Primary Care Dentistry, and Ethnicity and Health. YReN produces a bi-annual newsletter and information can be accessed from our website on www.leeds.ac.uk/crpc/YReN.html ____________________________________________________________________________ Official contact for Federation Ms Helen Moore Network Director Centre for Research in Primary Care Nuffield Institute for Health 71-75 Clarendon Road Leeds LS2 9PL Telephone 0113 343 4837 Fax 0113 343 4836 E-mail contact@ukf-pcrn.org Website: www.leeds.ac.uk/crpc/YReN.html ____________________________________________________________________________ Head of Network Ms Helen Moore ____________________________________________________________________________ Additional contact Anthonia James YReN Project Officer Centre for Research in Primary Care Nuffield Institute for Health 71-75 Clarendon Road Leeds LS2 9PL Telephone 0113 343 4837 Fax 0113 343 4836 E-mail  HYPERLINK "mailto:contact@ukf-pcrn.org" yren@leeds.ac.uk %(`aderstu58\]    ̽vlvlvlvlCJOJQJ\^J5CJOJQJ^J5 OJQJ\6CJOJQJ\]6OJQJ\]CJ$\ OJQJ^JOJQJ\^JOJQJ]^J OJQJ\>*CJ$OJQJ\ B* ph35\CJ0 B* CJ0phf3 B*CJ0ph B*ph B*CJph B* phf3CJ4jUmHnHu'     %$ 0a$$a$9%&'(GHabcderstu7hd$a$ a $a$.6i%M{8] F G g h w d  ! 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