DHSC creates new NIHR Research Delivery Network

Growing the amount of commercial clinical research will be a key strategic ambition for the new network 

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has created a new NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) to support the successful delivery of health and social care research in England.

The network, which will start operating from next year, will play a critical and active role in implementing government policies.

It will support in implementing the Life Sciences Vision, the Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery vision, and policy for life sciences research and development.

The new network would be mainly working on growing the amount of commercial clinical research as its key strategic ambition.

Also, NIHR RDN will be responding to the findings of the Lord O’Shaughnessy review, which set out a clear blueprint for how the UK can return to its global leadership role.

The DHSC’s statement read: “It will increase capacity and capability across the health and care research system, supporting the successful delivery of high-quality research across England for the benefit of patients and the public.

“It represents a significant government investment to bolster the UK’s position as one of the best places in the world for innovative companies and investigators to carry out research.”

Along with portfolio monitoring, the network will focus on identifying and resolving strategic challenges to ensure the research system is able to achieve its ambitions around innovative study methodology.

The new network will provide funding to study sites and ensure that it is being used to support research and development activities.

As a new organisation, the NIHR RDN will have new processes, structures and governance, and will work across the health and care system, with staff in all health and care settings.

It will work across the health and care system, with staff in all health and care settings, to support the effective and efficient initiation and delivery of research.

The University of Leeds will be the single host of the new NIHR RDN Co-ordinating Centre (RDNCC) from 1 April 2024.

From October 2024, they will be joined by 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs), hosted by NHS organisations across the country, to make up the NIHR RDN.