Objectives for 2010/11
We identified a number of priority work programmes that are relevant to members including: ongoing influence for HSR in the implementation of the NIHR; working towards greater integration of HSR in the NHS; and research governance and ethics reform programmes.
In addition the HSRN Board worked on:
- Briefings on the research governance regime and promoting the role and value of research to the NHS,
influencing the reforms to research governance
- The fifth Annual Research Meeting in partnership with the NIHR SDO programme, now through the SDO Network.
- HSRN one day meetings
- The spring 2010 meeting on patient safety
- Autumn 2010 on modelling and simulation
- HSRN members are invited to volunteer to host one day meetings
- A series of seminars with the Nuffield Trust bringing senior managers and researchers together
- Joint projects with our sister network, SDO Network, aimed at engaging managers with research
- Affiliate members
- A number of membership organisations have affiliated with the HSRN and we look forward to developing these relationships in the coming year
- HSRN members are invited to propose SIGs. The Network is able to support SIGs through publicity, email dissemination to members and some financial contribution.
So far at a glance
HSRN has:
- published briefings on implementing Best Research for Best Health, the new national research ethics service arrangements, and the new innovation landscape, promoting HSR and its value to the NHS, and on research governance
- held five annual research meetings, our most recent in 2010 held jointly for the third time with the NIHR SDO Programme.
- commissioned a supplement of the Journal of HSRP from these annual meetings
- contributed to sessions at the NHS Confederation annual conference, the UK's major conference for senior NHS managers
- HSRN Board members have met ministers, senior policymakers, UKCRC and MRC as the ‘voice of HSR’ in meetings where traditionally only the views of basic and clinical researchers have tended to get heard
- Responded to several consultations such as the Cooksey Review
- supported a special interest groups, such as the Health Policy and Management forum and the SIG on workforce planning and research, and we look forward to hearing from members proposing other group/s
- kept members informed of HSRN activities through our regular Update Reports
- offered members online access to the Kings Fund current awareness service
- increased our membership to over 100 organisations.
Future plans
HSRN meetings
The HSRN organises at least three meetings per year: a spring and autumn one day event and the Annual Research Meeting (including the AGM). These meetings aim to showcase the latest HSR, provide networking opportunities for the HSR community, and bring researchers, managers and policy makers together in dialogue. Details of dates, themes, venues and speakers are available on the events section of the HSRN webpage.
Member communications
We have worked hard to ensure that members are regularly updated on HSRN activities and relevant NHS Confederation activities and have opportunities to get involved. Our regular Update Reports go to all members.
Our Briefings are circulated to HSRN members and NHS Confederation members, serving to promote the message about the value of HSR.
At the end of 2007 we did a member perception audit to get feedback on how HSRN is performing and take a steer about how we can further improve.