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Research and Development

The broad aim of the research and development department at Bedford Hospital is to assist researchers and help ensure that all research associated within the Trust (including clinical trials) is of high quality, ethically sound and of benefit to patient care, treatment and rehabilitation.

The department provides support to researchers around how to start a research project, protocol writing, funding applications and help to design high-quality projects and clinical trials. There are number of non-commercial, commercial clinical trials, student and junior doctors’ research projects are under progress. There are number of publications arising from the Trust research, in 2008 there were 52 publications.

The research and development department has strong academic collaborations with Cranfield University, University of Bedfordshire, Addenbrookes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, University of Surrey, and Leicester Medical College NHS Foundation Trust and there are number of joint research projects available which will lead to higher degrees.

We host research and development forums, give presentations and produce newsletters and flyers about the research and development projects at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and nationally.

Local Research Ethics Committee (LREC)

http://www.nres.npsa.nhs.uk/

The deparmtnet is also involved with the Local Research Ethics committee which assess the quality, safety and appropriateness of clinical trials and other clinical research involving patients and/or patients' notes (past or present).

The research and development department is also represented at various national and regional research and development forums such as:

  • The NHS National R&D forum;
  • The National Institute of Health Research NIHR) advisory group;
  • The East of England R&D Managers forum;
  • West Anglia NIHR Comprehensive Clinical Research network;
  • The University of Bedfordshire Research and Development support group;

West Anglian Comprehensive Research Network

Following publication of the Dept of Health Research and Development strategy, “Best Research for Best Health”, those studies that are included in the UKCRN Portfolio will be eligible for a range of NHS support.

The most significant changes will be implemented through the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRN) and relate to:

  • The funding that is available and the procedure for accessing this funding – CLRNs will now award funding for Programmed Activities and NHS Support Costs;
  • The support, in terms of research personnel and facilities, that is available to investigators – CLRNs will fund specialist staff, including research nurses and facilitators, to support studies;
  • The way NHS R&D permission is obtained – a new NIHR Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permission is being introduced. CSP is a consistent, standardised process for gaining NHS permission in England for UKCRN portfolio eligible studies. For more information on NIHR CSP, please visit the West Anglia CLRN NIHR CSP webpage.
  • HR Procedures for investigators – The CLRN is leading on the new HR procedures for researchers, including the introduction of the research passport system.

The CLRN for West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust is the West Anglia CLRN, hosted by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
For more information on the West Anglian CLRN please visit: http://west-anglia.ukcrn.org.uk

Latest News and Events:

See: NIHR News and Events

Publications:

See: NIHR Publications

Please note that the first point of call for advice and queries relating to studies proposed or ongoing in Bedford Hospital Trust is the RM&G staff in Bedford Hospital R&D department e mail: mohammad.wasil@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk tel: 01234 355122 ext 5855

Key Staff

Dr. M. Wasil B.Sc PGDipImmun M.Sc Ph.D LRSC MIBiol C.Biol MICR FRSPH

Assistant Director of Research and Development

Contact Us

The first point of call for advice and queries relating to studies proposed or ongoing in Bedford Hospital Trust is the research management and guidance staff who work in the department:

E mail: mohammad.wasil@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

Telephone: 01234 355122 ext 5855