Supporting research in primary and community care
Discussion paper to support local organisations in determining arrangements for supporting research in primary and community care.
Applies to England
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This paper aims to support local organisations, in collaboration with local networks, to consider how to achieve a smooth transfer of capability within the changing NHS for supporting primary and community care research.
In future, independent contractors in primary care will decide of their own accord to participate in research, like other providers in acute, community and mental health care, though they will likely need advice in taking this decision. Clinical commissioning groups, which have legal duties to promote research and the use of evidence to support commissioning, may also wish to seek advice and support in these roles.
Local health communities, in planning how functions are transferring between organisations as part of the transition, will wish to review any locally based primary care trust research services. They are encouraged to consider retaining and finding a suitable host for skilled teams that can offer supportive services to primary care providers and to NHS commissioners with their future duties and activities.
Such teams could be independent or they may be hosted, for example:
- within a provider (acute, mental health, community)
- by a commissioner (clinical commissioning group, NHS Commissioning Board local area team or a commissioning support service)
- by the Clinical Research Network of the National Institute for Health Research or an Academic Health Science Network
To date, primary care trusts have led on support for research involving independent primary care contractors such as GPs and dentists, and some have had research related advice to support commissioning. Therefore, safe transfer into the new system is highly important to ensure that primary care research can continue.
For any queries, contact R&D@dh.gsi.gov.uk