Research Support

The NIHR is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research and provides the people, facilities and technology that enable research to thrive. They work in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders (including industry and charities), patients and the public to improve the health and wealth of the nation. 

The NIHR School for Primary Care Research is a partnership between nine leading academic centres for primary care research in England. The School carries out world-leading research in primary care, providing a focus for primary care research within the NIHR and supporting the development of primary care researchers.

Find out more on the NIHR Primary Care website page HERE

The Local Clinical Research Networks are overseen by the National Coordinating Centre which has offices in Leeds, London, Liverpool, Newcastle and Preston. We support clinical research infrastructure throughout England, which is working towards increased access for patients to new and better treatments in the NHS and social care.

The local Networks help to increase the opportunities for participants to take part in clinical research, ensure that studies are carried out efficiently, and support the Government’s Strategy for UK Life Sciences by improving the environment for commercial contract clinical research.

Swindon is covered by the West of England CRN

The Clinical Research Network West of England, hosted at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, facilitates research in NHS, Public Health and social care settings, supporting portfolio studies in 31 specialties in sites such as universities, schools, care homes, hospices, prisons and clinical settings.

There are 15 NIHR ARCs in England, conducting applied health research across the NHS and public health, and translating research findings into improved outcomes for people. Swindon is covered by the ARC West

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West conducts applied health research with their partners and others in the health and care sector, alongside patients and members of the public. Applied health research aims to address the immediate issues facing the health and social care system. They also help bring research evidence into practice and provide training for the local workforce.

The NIHR supports research being delivered through 30 specialty therapy areas. Each specialty is made up of expert clinical leaders and practitioners who work at both national and local levels to ensure that studies are delivered successfully and to promote awareness of research opportunities for participants to take part in. The specialty groups also support the dialogue between the life sciences industry and charities to ensure the pipeline of research studies and to facilitate the involvement of participants to make research more effective.

To see the list of Specialty Networks and access their websites click HERE

The UK policy Framework for Health & Social Care Research sets out principles of good practice in the management and conduct of health and social care research in the UK. These principles protect and promote the interests of patients, service users and the public in health and social care research, by describing ethical conduct and proportionate, assurance-based management of health and social care research, so as to support and facilitate high-quality research in the UK that has the confidence of patients, service users and the public. It is for organisations and individuals that have responsibilities for health and social care research. This includes funders, sponsors, researchers and their employers, research sites and care providers.

The Health Research Authority (HRA) protects and promotes the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research.

Follow the link HERE to read about the RCGPs involvement in Research, their Research Programme, The Research & Surveillance Centre, The Scientific Foundation Board and their QA programme ‘Research Ready’

The Bath Research & Development Consortium (previously known as the Pan-Bath and Swindon Primary Care Research Consortium) is a partnership between three primary care trusts and the School for Health at the University of Bath. The trusts involved are: Bath and North East Somerset PCT, Swindon PCT and a portion of the new Wiltshire PCT. The Consortium is responsible for all Research Management and Governance in these PCTs.

Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) is a real-world research service supporting retrospective and prospective public health and clinical studies. CPRD is jointly sponsored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as part of the Department of Health and Social Care. CPRD collects anonymised patient data from a network of GP practices across the UK. Primary care data are linked to a range of other health related data to provide a longitudinal, representative UK population health dataset. The data encompass 60 million patients, including 16 million currently registered patients. For more than 30 years, research using CPRD data and services has informed clinical guidance and best practice, resulting in thousands of research papers investigating drug safety, use of medicines, effectiveness of health policy, health care delivery and disease risk factors.

eLearning for HealthCare have a ‘Research, Audit and Quality Improvement‘ Module

University Hospitals Bristol Research & Innovation Website

University of Bristol Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) is a leading centre for primary care research and teaching in the UK, and one of nine centres that form the NIHR School for Primary Care Research. They are part of Bristol Medical School, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for population health sciences research and teaching.

Severn Deanery – Latest research and publications

The Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC), formerly the Association of University Departments of General Practice (AUDGP) promotes excellence in research, education and policy development in general practice and primary health 

• DoH document ‘Best Research for Best Health: A new National Health Research Strategy’ 2006
• NIHR Information ‘Best Research for Best Health: The Next Chapter’ 2021
• GMC ‘Good Practice in Research‘ Summary 2010
• Critical Appraisal of research papers Tool (PDF)