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Aug/Sept 2011 Edition Issue 16 The UK Clinical Research Facility (UKCRF) Network has been established to provide support and guidance to those working in experimental medicine. In our regular updates we aim to keep you informed on the latest news and events.

Interesting speakers, great opportunity for networking and a well organised and informative 7th Annual CRF Conference!
University College London (UCL) Clinical Research Facility was the host of this years CRF Conference, held at the prestigious Savoy Place in London. Delegates were welcomed to the Conference by Professor William Rosenberg, Director of UCL CRF, with opening presentations by Professor David Fish, Dr Richard Budgett and Professor John Martin. It was fantastic to see some discussion on the wider policy developments that will ultimately affect our work Professor Adrian Hill and Professor James Bainbridge gave presentations topical to this years theme of Delivering Success through Collaboration, including the challenges of developing malaria vaccines and delivery of gene therapy research. Closing the plenary session on day one was a joint presentation by Professor Nicky Cullum, Dr Christine Patch and Ms Caroline Saunders on Nursing in Research, which, one delegate remarked, was inspiring. Day one continued in the afternoon with parallel workshops in a variety of topics, presentations for which can all be found on the UKCRF Network Portal. The induction framework and auditing tools are brilliant and a great example of working collaboratively Day two was opened by Sir John Tooke, Head of the Medical School at UCL, who spoke about the value of collaboration within the NHS. Ms Fiona McArdle followed with a well-received presentation on Edinburgh WTCRFs experience in applying for MHRA

Fiona McArdles presentation was very popular at this years Conference

Phase 1 accreditation. Dr Louise Wood, Ms Pauline Wiliams and Dr David Robin continued with presentations reflecting the Conferences theme, and Ms Helen Pidd ended the morning session with an update on the UKCRF Network. Phase I accreditation feedback was very informative as we are considering applying Delegates attended a variety of parallel workshops on the afternoon of day two, including a session on New and Emerging Roles to CRFs and How to develop an effective audit programme. Dr Beth Thompson and Ms Emma Greenwood gave an update on the Academy of Medical Science Report in a presentation entitled A new pathway for the regulation and governance of health research and Professor William Rosenberg closed the 2011 CRF Conference with the awards for best poster (see overleaf to find out more!) This years full programme and presentations are available to view now on the UKCRF Network Portal. On the 2011 Conference Site you will also find Business Meetings documents, work stream updates and posters. https://portal.nihr.ac.uk/sites/ukcrf/crf_conference/Page s/2011.aspx

Work stream outputs a crowd puller at this years CRF Conference

This year the UKCRF Network was proud to present the outputs of the work stream groups, the result of their hard work and dedication over the last 12 months. Here we give you an overview of the work that was launched this July.

Induction Framework for Clinical Research Staff

Firstly, proving very popular, was the Education and Training Work streams Induction Framework for Clinical Research Staff, which was launched on day one of the Conference. The Induction Framework has been designed to help CRFs develop a comprehensive induction programme for new starters. Based on best practice from across a number of established CRFs, the framework can be used by new and existing CRFs to review or update established induction programmes, and would also be a useful tool for other clinical research organisations.

Members of the Education and Training work stream discuss the Induction Framework for Clinical Research Staff

of the Portal and will now receive email updates each time a new item is posted on their discussion board, ensuring timely responses from a member of the group.

Poster Awards
The CRF Conference just wouldnt be the same without the posters contributed by clinical research staff from all areas around the UK and Ireland. We had a great response this year with over 40 posters being exhibited during the two-day event. New this year was the Peoples Choice award, given to the poster voted best by conference delegates. Kornelia Hathaway, Anne Elmer, Claire Jonas of Cambridge WTCRF were the winners of this award with their poster on Preparing Adult Research Nurses for the care of children in clinical research studies. The prize for the Judges vote went to Stephen Barnett, Mark Mayes, Suzanne Collin, Elizabeth Leach of Somers CRF for their entry on Sustainable Clinical Research Facilities implications for research volume and critical size. Congratulations to you all and a big thank you to everyone who took part in the competition.

Audit Checklist Tool

The Quality Assurance Work stream were also delighted to present their new Audit Checklist Tool during their workshop on developing an effective audit programme in a CRF. It has been designed to provide a flexible tool to facilitate the audit process in your CRF and can be adapted to suit local requirements.

Study Intensity Tool: Version 11

The Intensity group continued to endorse the Study Intensity Tool at their workshop on day two, where they launched Version 11 of the Tool, which is now available to download from the Portal.

Dublin to host 8th Annual CRF Conference

We are pleased to announce that The Dublin Centre for Clinical Research will host the 2012 CRF Conference at the historic Trinity College. To find out more about the venue and theme, visit the Conference Site at https://portal.nihr.ac.uk/sites/ukcrf/crf_conference

Paediatric Governance Tool

The Paediatric work stream launched the Paediatric Governance Tool, a guide for those working with children without paediatric registration. Work stream members have also set up alerts for the Paediatric area

Shane Hoy
Operations Manager t: +44 (0)161 906 7509 e: shane.hoy@manchester.ac.uk

Jill Moores
Administrator t: +44 (0)161 906 7509 e: jill.moores@manchester.ac.uk