Developing a clinical research network: the Northern Region Endoscopy Group experience

Praveen Rajasekhar; Colin Rees; Matthew Rutter; Pali Hungin

doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.14-2-107

Developing a clinical research network: the Northern Region Endoscopy Group experience

Clin Med (Lond). 2014 Apr;14(2):107-12. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.14-2-107.

Authors

Praveen Rajasekhar¹, Colin Rees, Matthew Rutter, Pali Hungin

Affiliation

¹ Gastroenterology, South Tyneside District Hospital, South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, Tyne and Wear, UK, The Northern Region Endoscopy Group, South Shields, UK and School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, UK.

Abstract

Research is central to the National Health Service. Clinical trial recruitment has been aided by the National Institute for Health Research's Comprehensive Research Network but these networks do not support development of research. The Northern Region Endoscopy Group (NREG) was founded in 2007, encompasses 17 endoscopy units and has become a highly successful collaborative research network. The network is now a major contributor to UK trials, has published over 20 papers (>60 abstracts) and holds grants totalling more than £1.5 million. The NREG provides an exemplar model of how collaborative working can contribute significantly to biomedical research.

Keywords: NIHR; National Institute for Health Research; Network; Northern Region Endoscopy Group; collaboration; quality; research.

MeSH terms

Biomedical Research / organization & administration*
Cooperative Behavior*
Endoscopy*
England
Humans
Patient Selection