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HRA Latest - October 2023 |
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Welcome to HRA Latest with news and updates for those working or involved in health and social care research.
Read how we’ve marked Black History Month, including a run down of some of the most inspiring Black women in health research and science.
You can read my blog about how we’re getting ready for digital change, and Alastair Nicholson blogs about how the National Contract Value Review has helped accelerate studies in the UK.
We’re also pleased to share an update from Policy Manager Dr Kirsty Edwards, on our recent roundtable event on consent and longitudinal research. It includes reflections from public contributors who drew on their experiences on the day.
As always, for regular updates and the latest news, you can follow us on X @HRA_Latest.
Karen Williams
Deputy Chief Executive
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 Celebrating Black History Month
This year’s Black History Month (BHM) theme was ‘Saluting our Sisters’ and at the HRA we’ve highlighted the essential role Black women have played in history, inspiring change, and building communities. Chief Executive Matt Westmore rounds up the organisation’s BHM activity and thanks our Black colleagues.
 Blog: Reflections on our roundtable event on longitudinal research
What happens if your ability to consent changes during the course of a research study, perhaps as a result of developing dementia, or following a brain injury?
We worked with Genomics England and Our Future Health to explore views and perspectives on the issue of changes to mental capacity for those taking part in longitudinal research. These discussions will help us to understand how best to do research spanning decades, or even lifetimes, in a way that people can trust.
Dr Kirsty Edwards, Policy Manager, has more on an event we held last month.
 Preparing for digital change
We’re responsible for IRAS, the system that researchers use when applying to do health and social care studies in the UK, and are working to improve it.
Read my blog about how new roles at the HRA will help us to prepare for digital change.
 How NCVR has helped accelerate study set up
Our Head of Co-ordination and Standardisation, Alastair Nicholson, has written a blog reflecting on the news that over the past 12 months the National Contract Value Review (NCVR) process has seen studies achieving study set-up milestones over 100 days quicker.
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Community Committee: first meeting held
This month, we were delighted to hold the first meeting for our new Community Committee. The committee is part of the HRA’s governance structure and advises the Board on how the HRA operates and its bigger strategic ambitions.
During the Community Committee’s first meeting, members learned more about the HRA and discussed how the Committee will work in practice. The Community Committee will meet every quarter and its first formal meeting is in December.
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 Improving information for research participants
There is just over a month to go until our new Quality Standards and Design and Review Principles become mandatory on 1 December 2023.
To help organisations prepare we've created a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs). We’ll be adding to them, so look out for further updates.
The Quality Standards and Design and Review Principles were launched in September to help improve the information given to people who are invited to take part in research.
 Public involvement in business planning
Earlier this year, we invited members of the public to contribute to our 2023 - 2024 business plan to help us shape the work we do over the next 12 months.
This is the first time we have involved members of the public in our business planning in this way, and in 2024-2025, we are involving our Community Committee in this process.
As we reach the mid-way point of the financial year and prepare for business planning 2024 -2025, we share an interview with Peter Hart, a member of the public involved in health and social care research, and Catherine McCarthy, our Head of Corporate Portfolio Office, who reflect on the process.
 Subscribe to our new clinical trials bulletin
We’ve just launched a new, regular round-up of the latest news on work we’re doing to help make the UK a great place to do clinical trials.
 News from across UK research
Below are some of the latest updates about health and social care research in the UK:
- The MHRA has announced a new streamlined notification scheme that will see them process the lowest-risk, late-stage clinical trials within 14 days. The new scheme is about making regulation more flexible and proportionate to risk based on the clinical trials consultation, and reducing review timelines. Read the announcement in full on gov.uk.
- If you’re planning a clinical trial for public health and social care, the NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service has four pilot opportunities available. Express your interest by 31 October by visiting the NHS Digital website.
- The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Work and Health Research Programme has awarded £1.5m of funding to research that will find better ways to support working age people to be healthier and happier whether they are at work, returning to work, or preparing to leave work.
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HRA Now - operational updates |
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HRA Now sends you everything you need to know where there are changes to the way we work
Our operational updates, HRA Now, includes everything you need to know about changes to the way we work.
Here are some recent updates you may have missed from HRA Now:
Sign up to receive operational updates.
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