1. Promoting clinical research
within the allied health
professions
Dr Angela Green & Dr Sarah Reel,
AHP specialty research network co-leads,
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Research Network

2. Why do research?
 Many things that we now take for granted are the
result of health research. E.g. blood pressure
pills, vaccines to prevent infectious diseases,
transplant surgery, chemotherapy.
 It also enables doctors to understand why some
patients respond to treatments whilst others do
not.
 Research takes the guesswork out of determining
which treatments work better for which patients.
 In addition to discovering new treatments, it also
ensures that we use existing treatments in the
best way possible.
 Ultimately, high-quality clinical research
helps the NHS improve future healthcare

3. Clinical research networks
 NIHR
 CLAHRCs
 Council for Allied Health Professions
Research
 Academic Health Science Networks
 Higher Education Institutions
(universities)
 Profession specific research community
networks
 CHAIN

4. National Institute for
Health Research
 Created in 2006 to improve
research support, ensure access to
sustainable funding, encourage
innovation without endangering
patient lives and strengthen links
with life sciences.
 Its principles are:
 Transparency
 Open competition
 Quality
 Cost effectiveness
 Delivery.

5. NIHR structure

6. Yorkshire and Humber CRN
(http://www.crn.nihr.ac.uk/yorkshire-and-humber/)
In April 2014, the former NEYNL, South
Yorkshire and West Yorkshire CRNs
combined.
New CRN is hosted by Sheffield Teaching
Hospitals Foundation Trust.
2 Clinical Directors: Dr Simon Howell and Dr
Alison Layton.
Chief Operating officer: Dr Caroline
Pickstone (SLT background)
Deputy Chief Operating Officer & Research
Delivery Manager division 5: Chris Oxnard

8. NIHR structure cont
Within each CRN there are 30 clinical research specialties
that are grouped into six divisions:
Division 1: Cancer;
Division 2: Cardiovascular disease; Diabetes; Metabolic & Endocrine
Disorders; Renal Disorders; Stroke
Division 3: Children; Genetics; Haematology; Reproductive Health &
Childbirth;
Division 4: Dementias & Neuro-degeneration; Mental Health; Neurological
Disorders;
Division 5: Ageing; Dermatology; Health Services & Delivery Research; Or
al Health & Dentistry: Musculoskeletal Disorders; Primary Care;
Public Health. (Y & H: AHP, wound care, palliative care )
Division 6: Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine & Pain Management;
Critical Care; Ear, Nose & Throat; Gastroenterology; Hepatology;
Infectious Diseases & Microbiology; Injuries & Emergencies;
Ophthalmology; Respiratory Disorders; Surgery.

9. AHP specialty research network
4 AHP leads appointed mid February:
Dr Angela Green (physiotherapist)- Humber
and Leeds area
(angela.green@hey.nhs.uk)
Dr Sarah Reel (podiatrist) – North Yorkshire
(sarah.reel@ntlworld.com)
Dr Alison Bruce (orthoptist) – West
Yorkshire (alison.bruce@bthft.nhs.uk)
Dr Sue Pownall (SLT) – South Yorkshire
(Sue.Pownall@sth.nhs.uk)

10. AHP specialty research network
AHP specialty research network vision:
To increase allied health professionals research
capacity and recruitment to AHP research
studies in the Yorkshire and Humber region
thereby strengthening evidence of AHPs role in
improving the health and wealth of the nation.
How we achieve this?
Working closely with other local research networks
and HEIs, we aim to identify research champions in
each organisation including private practices, who will
act as local advocates for research to promote
relevant portfolio studies, share research relevant
information and help signpost colleagues to relevant
research networks, courses etc

11. Collaboration for Leadership in Applied
Health Research and Care (CLAHRC)
 Role is to undertake high quality applied
research and evidence based
implementation in partnership with, our
collaborating organisations, patients, carers
and the public.
 Principles:
 Engagement
 Co-production
 Capacity building
 Addressing health inequalities
(http://clahrc-yh.nihr.ac.uk/)

12. The three
CLAHRC pillars 2014 - 2018
Applied
Research
Capacity
development
Applied
Research
The Science of
Implementation
Applied
Research

13. Y & H Academic Health
Science Network
http://www.yhahsn.org.uk/
The aim of the Yorkshire & Humber AHSN is to create
significant improvements in the health of the
population by
reducing service variability and
improving patient experience in the health care
system.
It operates by creating strong, purposeful partnerships
between patients, health services, industry, and
academia.
It assists in ensuring new innovative products and
services that have the potential to transform lives
become part of routine clinical practice.
The Yorkshire & Humber AHSN will also assist in
providing economic growth for the region by
supporting inward investment projects and
industries that support the health sector.

14. Medipex/ Medilink
 Medilink (www.medipex.co.uk) and Medipex (
www.medilink.co.uk) have extensive knowledge
networks across the health technologies and life
science sectors.
 This provides members with connectivity to the
business, clinical, regulatory and finance
communities, helping form new collaborative
partnerships and navigate the increasingly
complex health innovation landscape, to bring
about improvements in patient care.
 Provide support to develop an idea for a new
product or service, and assistance in marketing
new innovative solutions.

15. Council for Allied Health
Professions Research
http://www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/research/networking-support/council-
allied-health-professions-research
 The Council for Allied Health Professions research
formed in 2014 when the Research Forum for Allied
Health Professionals joined with the AHP Research
Network.
 Its mission is to
 develop AHP research,
 strengthen evidence of the professions’ value and impact
for enhancing service user and community care,
 enable the professions to speak with one voice on
research issues, thereby raising their profile and
increasing their influence.
Yorkshire and Humber region have 2 hubs:
Yorkshire (c.sinani@yorksj.ac.uk) and
Sheffield (s.may@shu.ac.uk)

16. Universities
 Y & H Universities:
 University of
Bradford
 University of Hull
 University of
Sheffield
 University of York
 Leeds Beckett
University
 Sheffield Hallam
University
 York St John
University
 Provide post graduate &
M level modules in
research methodologies,
and other relevant
subjects.
 Short CPD courses
available
 Have research themes
and research staff who
would be interested in
potential collaborations,
able to signpost and
often keen to make links
with clinical areas

17. Profession- specific research
networks
Individual AHP professions tend to
have research advisors who can
send information and links to
resources on generic and profession
specific funding streams, research
priorities, and assist in linking staff
with similar research interests.
E.g. Research network on iCSP
website (physio); OT research
network; SLT research network

18. CHAIN
 CHAIN - Contact, Help, Advice and
Information Network – is an online
international network for people working in health
and social care.
 Information is circulated to subscribers regarding
research funding opportunities, QIPP examples,
short courses, fellowships etc. It can also be used
to gain information or relevant signposting as the
name suggests.
 For more information on CHAIN and joining the
network please visit website:
 http://chain.ulcc.ac.uk/chain/index.html