Dear Colleague

Version 3 of the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) was released earlier this month. This version provides new improved functionality for studies involving investigational medicinal products (IMPs). IRAS continues to provide a user friendly system for capturing data on an HSC research study and generating the necessary application forms - avoiding the need for duplicate data entry on multiple systems. However, version 3 can generate an application to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for IMPs. Researchers need only go to EudraCT website to obtain their EudraCT number.

Researchers requiring permission to conduct research within the HSC should use IRAS and submit the R&D Form generated by the system, along with the Site Specific Information (SSI) Form, to the relevant HSC Trust(s). From 1 April 2009 Site Specific Assessments will be carried out by HSC Trusts rather than through the ethics system. After 01 April 2009 ORECNI will not accept an SSI and this must be sent directly to the relevant HSC Trust.

In order to build on the potential for streamlining provided by IRAS all five HSC Trusts are now working under a common memorandum of understanding to consolidate common working arrangements. Under this new system, where a research study involves more than one HSC Trust, a single lead Trust takes responsibility for sign-off on a specific set of generic issues and generates a Governance Report on behalf of all participating trusts. Site specific issues are considered by the other non-lead Trust(s) in parallel, where possible, before final permission is granted.

A booklet providing information on version 3 of IRAS is attached above in a PDF format. A hard copy will be included with the next issue of R&D Today. Copies should also be available from HSC Trust Research Offices.

With kindest regards

HSC R&D Office

Please click on the above link to find a new HSC R&D Office Scheme designed to capitalise on previous research funded by the HSC R&D Office. This Scheme is designed to add value by supporting knowledge transfer from:

Research-to-Policy

Research-to-Practice

Research-to-Enterprise

This new scheme hopes to focus researchers’ efforts on the direct delivery of knowledge transfer through a variety of innovative approaches and activities where the researcher works with potential user communities to realise practice, policy, social and/or economic benefits. In this way the HSS R&D Office will add value through the translation of HSC research into improved health and social care, products and services.

HSC R&D Office Building Capacity for Evidence- based Health and Social Care The Cochrane Collaboration is a not-for-profit independent organisation dedicated to making up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of healthcare interventions readily available worldwide. It produces and disseminates systematic reviews of healthcare interventions in over fifty topic areas and makes them available as The Cochrane Library. In 2002, Ireland became the first country to provide free national access to the Cochrane Library, an initiative co-funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) and the Health & Social Care Research & Development Office (HSC R&D Office) in Northern Ireland. In addition to providing and promoting free national access, the HRB and HSC R&D Office have developed an annual series of training courses in conjunction with the UK Cochrane Centre, and a Fellowship scheme to allow health and social care professionals, researchers and policy makers protected time to develop their capacity in conducting systematic reviews. As part of its capacity-building programme for 2009, the HSC R&D Office invites applications for two opportunities from the Cochrane Collaboration:

Cochrane Training Application Form:
click here

Cochrane Training Guidance Notes:
click here

Cochrane Fellowship Application Form:
click here

Cochrane Fellowship Guidance Notes:
click here

Please click on the links below for more information:

A Cody Stakeholder meeting 28 Jan: here

D Clark All Ireland Institute Briefing January 2009:here

Summary

All parties interested in the development of the proposed All-Ireland Institute for Hospice and Palliative Care were invited to an information briefing meeting on the 28 January 2009 in the Alexander Hotel, Dublin. The meeting was hosted by the Health Research Board (HRB) in Dublin and the Health & Social Care Research and Development Office (HSC R&D Office) in Belfast and was led by Professor David Clark, current Visiting Professor of Hospice Studies at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.

Purpose of the briefing: The session offered the opportunity to:

·Recap on the vision and business planning process associated with the development of the All-Ireland Institute for Hospice and Palliative Care

·Learn about recent developments in funding support

·Receive a pre-announcement about the call for applications to host the Institute

·Hear an outline of the main procedures for application and the criteria for selection

·Ask questions about the call, application procedure, timescale and expected outcomes

For further information contact: Catherine Gill t +353 1 2345 188 e cgill(at)hrb.ie

Please click on the link above to access further information.

Please click on the above link for an application form for NCI Summer Courses.

Please click on the above link to access the Employers Support Letter for NCI Summer Courses.