This Commissioned Research Call is in direct response to the recognition by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) of the high priority for greater understanding of the complex needs of those affected by suicide in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan, “Protect Life - A Shared Vision”, published in October 2006 highlights the need for further research in a number of areas relating to suicide prevention. The DHSSPS in conjunction with the Health & Social Care (HSC) R&D Office has therefore undertaken to commission a programme of research in the area of suicide prevention.

The HSC R&D Office has already commissioned a research project in partnership with the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust and the Southern Health & Social Care Trust entitled ‘Providing meaningful care: learning from experiences of suicidal men to inform mental health services’ which focuses upon young suicidal men. This two and a half year research project commenced in March 2007.

It is hoped that the findings of the overall commissioned programme of research will prove valuable in helping the Department implement the “Protect Life - A Shared Vision” Strategy and Action Plan, which can be accessed by clicking on the above link.

The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 12 December 2008 at 4.00pm.

Please see the above link for guidance for applicants.

The development of non-medical prescribing is currently a key Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) policy initiative. A development programme for pharmacist prescribing is being undertaken in Northern Ireland to maximise benefits to both patients and the health service. As a result, the HSC R&D Office is inviting applications for a research project, the aim of which is to evaluate the impact of pharmacist prescribing in Northern Ireland in order to inform planning for current and future prescribers.

The maximum duration for this research project is 18 months and the project must be completed by March 2011. The deadline for receipt of applications is Thursday 4th December 2008 at 4.00pm.

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Please see the attached document regarding guidance for applicants

It is widely recognised that applying for approval or permission to conduct a piece of Health & Social Care (HSC) research can involve grappling with a bewildering array of forms, many of which require the same information. A UKCRC initiative to bring together the information requirements for these permissions and approvals into a single, integrated application system resulted in the launch of a new Integrated Research Approvals System (IRAS) in January 2008.

More details, including documents and website links, are available here.

The HSC R&D Office Bursary Scheme is designed to improve research skills in Northern Ireland. The Scheme provides funding for post-graduate degree or post-graduate diploma level research courses and modules. Only those employed within the HSC, or in voluntary/not-for-profit organisations in Northern Ireland involved in HSC provision are eligible to receive funding under the Bursary Scheme.

The Bursary Scheme was substantially revised in 2008. As a result, the evaluation and administration of R&D Office Bursary funding will be undertaken by the Universities. Please find below a list of the courses at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster which are eligible for funding under the revised R&D Office Bursary Scheme. Queries regarding funding for courses on the list should be directed to the relevant Course Director.

Should you have any further queries, do not hesitate to contact the Office.

QUB courses which are eligible for HSC R&D Office Bursary funding

University of Ulster courses which are eligible for HSC R&D Office Bursary funding

The HSC R&D Office, Belfast and Health Research Board, Dublin would like to offer an opportunity to candidates from Northern Ireland and Ireland to participate in the NCI’s distinguished Cancer Prevention Fellowship Programme (CPFP).
More details in the Career Development section.

The R&D office has published Guidance and an Application Form for 2009 Fellowships. Please click the link for more information.

The NCRI Cancer Conference is the major forum in the UK for showcasing the best British and international cancer research. The Conference offers unique opportunities for networking and sharing knowledge by bringing together the leading experts from all cancer research disciplines. It will be held on 5 - 8 October 2008. If you would like to know more please access the NCRI conference web-site by clicking on the blue text above

Click for more information

The School of Nursing and Midwifery, QUB, is running 2 workshops in October: Population Database Analysis and Mixed-Methods Research. Click the link to the document above for more details

UKCRC partners have today announced plans for a new UK wide initiative to strengthen infection research with an investment of up to £16.5 million. Click the link above for the press release.

Further details can be found in the link below.

This Grant is open to cancer researchers working on the island of Ireland and in the NCI, in any cancer-related discipline. Each successful applicant is entitled to only one award in any given year.

More information is contained in the document below (click the link).

The R&D Office for the Health and Personal Social Services in conjunction with Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) and with the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) is providing a funding opportunity for a series of research projects to utilise the recently launched Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS) dataset and support public health policy.

Click on the link above to read/download the Guidance Notes and Application in MS Word format.

A revised model Clinical Trial Agreement (mCTA) for industry sponsored clinical trials was launched on 31 October 2006. The revised mCTA has been developed and agreed by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the BioIndustry Association (BIA), the NHS/HPSS and the Departments of Health and endorsed by the Council of Heads of Medical Schools.

The model agreement is designed to speed up the contracting process and initiate research at the earliest opportunity. It will also save money for the NHS/HPSS and companies by removing the need for legal review of trial specific agreements. In order for this model agreement to have the desired effect, it needs to be widely used and only modified in exceptional circumstances. The UKCRC* Partners strongly advocate the routine use of the new model agreement without modification. Versions of the mCTA, modified only in so far as is needed to ensure compliance with the law and to reflect regional institutional arrangements, are available for use in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

A copy of the agreement and guidance is available below.

Agreement

Guidance

Improved Clinical Trials Agreement for industry-sponsored clinical trials of investigational medicinal products involving HPSS service users.

A revised model Clinical Trials Agreement (MCTA) is now available for use by HPSS Trusts. The MCTA should reduce the start-up time of clinical trials allowing patients faster access to effective drugs and treatments and providing a more streamlined system. The MCTA is designed to be used without modification and should be acceptable to all parties.

Full details of the revised agreement, a Northern Ireland version of the MCTA and guidance can be accessed here

Click here for Guidance Notes

The summary of responses is now online at the DHSSPS website. If you wish to let anyone know please direct them to the following link

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/adhoc-ethics-consultation-responses.pdf

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Please click here to download a PDF copy of the consultation document.

Fellowships and Training Opportunities

The new Children's Research Database for Northern Ireland was piloted during October 2005 - please have a look at http://www.ark.ac.uk/orb/child.html.

The purpose of the database is to provide the central source for research on all aspects of children's lives in Northern Ireland.

The Research and Development Office for the Health and Personal Social Services (R&D Office) is seeking new members to join the Northern Ireland Ireland Forum for Health & Social Care Research. Click here for more details.

Connecting Biotechnology in Northern Ireland to the World

This site is a central authoritative source of information on all aspects of biotechnology in Ireland and highlights the island of Ireland as a centre for biotech excellence in basic and applied research as well as a location for biotech businesses large and small, indigenous and multinational.

BioNorthernIreland.com has been established as a result of:

• The success of Life and Health Technologies Partnership and its networking events
• The need for a single authoritative source of information within the sector
• Strong growth in the Life and Health Sciences Sector in Northern Ireland

A CONSULTATION: Implementing the Recommendations of the Report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on the Operation of NHS Research Ethics Committees

In June 2005, the Department of Health in England published the Report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on the Operation of Research Ethics Committees. The report was commissioned to review the work of the NHS Research Ethics Committee system in England. It makes nine recommendations, which focus on the need to improve efficiency and avoid delays, and the need to streamline the research ethics approval system and the requirements of research governance.

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), the body responsible for the research ethics system in England and which hosts the Central Office For Research Ethics Committees (COREC), was charged with producing an implementation plan to address the nine recommendations. It established an Ad Hoc Advisory Group consisting of a wide range of research ethics stakeholders including representatives from Northern Ireland. The group has since published an Implementation Plan which addresses issues specific to the NHS Research Ethics Committee system and NPSA are currently conducting a public consultation exercise on this plan in England.

The Department of Health and Social Services, Public Safety (DHSSPS) in Northern Ireland, along with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, has agreed to consult with its stakeholders and secure comments on the proposals set out in the NPSA Implementation Plan. The responses will inform subsequent consideration of whether Northern Ireland should adopt some or all of these proposals, and will inform wider discussions to establish consistent arrangements for ethical review throughout the UK.

A copy of the DHSSPS consultation letter can be viewed by clicking here. The NPSA Implementation Plan can be found by clicking here