Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN) is a regional research platform, established in 2008 to support clinical trials. NICRN comprises 10 groups, one of which is diabetes and all are supported by government funding.

Objective: To outline the development and achievements of this research network.

Methods: The organisational structure is built around a hub and spoke design. The network is managed via a coordinating centre with spokes reaching into the 5 Health and Social Care Trusts covering NI. Performance targets are agreed to enable the development of a high quality portfolio around the number of studies adopted, minimum recruitment to target, the % of commercial involvement and the proportion of clinical trials.

Results: In 2014/15, the group was involved in 14 active studies running across 26 sites; comprising 7 investigations actively recruiting, 5 in follow-up (recruitment completed), 2 recently closed. Five studies were adopted during 2014/15.

The breakdown of the studies is: 6 CTIMP, 2 CT, 4 using questionnaire/ interview or mixed method design, 1 study was a basic science and 1 was limited to tissue samples. Of the 14 active studies, 8 had commercial involvement and the remainder were funded through research councils, charities and R&D sources. Research nurses (4.1 WTE, Band 6) have been recruited and trained, the EDGE management system has been adopted, electronic care record access agreed and a network committee including diabetologists, dietitians, nurses, a patient representative and a member of Diabetes UK (Charity) established and convened quarterly.

The individual representing the views of people with diabetes is also a member of the Diabetes UK lay research group and communicates the views of this wider group. Training of lay members is available.

Conclusion: The metrics indicate that this network is enabling NI to contribute to high quality clinical research in diabetes.