Research & Development TAG
Notes from Meeting on 8th January 2013
PRESENT
Prof Mike Lucock
Phil Walters
Associate Director of APTS & Chair of the
Meeting
Inclusion Team
Dr Nisreen Booya
Simon Plummer
Medical Director & Lead for Research
Learning Disabilities
Julie Hickling
Dr Prabhat Mahapatra
Business Manager, Medical Directorate
Consultant Psychiatrist, Wakefield
Rebecca Spencer
Sarah Hudson
Research Manager
Lead Pharmacist, Bansley
Dr Abdullah Kraam
Bob Heyman
Clinical Lead for Research
University of Huddersfield
Amanda Edmondson
Keith Hardcastle
Senior Clinical Studies Officer
member of Research Involvement Group
Ismail Patel
Clinical Studies Officer
Helen Carter (notes)
Research Administrator
APOLOGIES
Dr F Uzair
Dr Keith Sands
Dr Phalaksh Walishetty
Dr C Suresh
Emma Polhill
Dr M Adamou
Dr Van Mechelen
Gillian Marley
Elizabeth Broadbent
Wendy Baird (RDS Service)
John Playle
Bal Singh
1/2.
Introductions and Apologies
As above. The Agenda was agreed with Mike Lucock adding an
item onto ‘Any Other Business’ to reflect on the meeting.
3/4.
Matters Arising
The minutes from the Annual review in September were discussed for
accuracy and actions. Page 5 – Rebecca Spencer and Alex Clarkson from
the West Yorkshire Comprehensive Local Research Network (WYCLRN) had
met with Sarah Hudson, Lead Pharmacist for Barnsley BDU and progress has
been made now with pharmacy in that area.
Action: RS and WYCLRN will explore support and links with radiology,
and pathology across the Trust over the next year.
1
5.
Research Team Update
Julie Hickling and Rebecca updated on recent staff recruitment to the
Department, Amanda Edmondson has started in her role as Senior Clinical
Studies Officer. Subject to pre-employment checks Mark Pinkerton will be
starting in the near future as a Clinical Studies Officer and Stacey Phillips as a
Research Governance Co-ordinator. Amanda will be the representative on
behalf of CSO’s on the TAG but ML suggested it would be useful for any
CSOs to attend occasionally.
6.
Research Approval Procedure
Rebecca has been working on updating the Research Approval Procedure
and has it prepared in draft form. RS would appreciate the views of TAG
members on how reader friendly it is and how easy it would be to follow for a
researcher. The Procedure has a level of complexity to it but it has been
written in as clear a format as possible, RS will send out to NB, JH, AK and
ML for comments in the first instance for comments and refine.
There are also eight Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which need to
be incorporated but will be kept separate from the Procedural document.
RS will then send out the draft to TAG members at the end of January for
comments. It was suggested that it would be appreciated if requests for
comments on particular aspects of the procedure was highlighted.
As the document is very long it was suggested that a flowchart version could
be formulated for the intranet or hyperlinks could be added so items of interest
were more easily accessible without having to go through the whole
document.
RS was advised that Yvonne French could be contacted if any of the SOPs
had legal implications to check over.
Action: To be sent out for comments in first instance to R&D
management and finalise the draft at the next TAG before a decision is
made regarding any other versions.
7.
Studies Report
The studies report was discussed in detail. It was agreed that members find it
useful in its current format.
Some of the studies which haven’t recruited quite as planned were discussed:
1. Genetic Variation in LD – Ismail Patel explained the problems in getting
recruitment to target, in reality there is only one consultant on board at
present and it was therefore suggested to expand the study into Barnsley
if possible. Another aspect is that no genetic counselling is available if a
diagnosis is given which may put people off participating. Simon Plummer
said that any consultants recruited in the future would have research
included within their job description which should help with their
engagement in portfolio studies.
2
Action: RS will check with WYCLRN if any funding is available for
genetic counselling and with ethics regarding if this was considered in
the original application to them. A meeting will then be arranged
between RS, Dr Gallapthie and Simon Plummer.
2. ATLAS – NB said she was mindful that recruitment has to be widened as
much as possible due to the small number of potential recruits. It was
noted that if the study is widened to other areas of the Trust there will be a
cost involved for pharmacy arrangements.
3. Connecting People –Ismail is working on this study and plans to shadow
the nurses who are handing out the information packs to understand what
the recruitment barriers are and help to with increase the recruitment to
the study. RS will discuss with Professor Curran at a forthcoming meeting.
Action: Ismail to make contact with nurses to enquire about shadowing.
8.
Research Involvement Group
Keith Hardcastle attended to represent this new service user/patient and carer
research group which has been set up recently in place of two previous
groups. He was deputising for Bal Singh who was unable to attend. There
have been three meetings so far including a training session and Keith fed
back that the members are all enjoying learning about research processes
and reviewing non-portfolio studies.
A researcher attended one of the meetings to discuss his research. This was
a valuable experience for the group as well as the researcher who was able to
take advice on his study from a service user and carer perspective.
The Trust highly values service user and carer views and input and there are
opportunities for the group to expand further so all areas of the Trust are
represented. Wakefield is not yet represented and Phil Walters mentioned
that the Dialogue Groups had started again in Wakefield so people who
attend may be interested in joining.
Action: RS to discuss in R&D business meeting recruitment ideas for
Wakefield.
9.
Research Bids & Collaborations
Farzana Ali and Paula Phillips are new PhD students at Huddersfield
University and will be conducting their research within the Trust. Farzana
began her studies in September 2012 and Paula begins in April. The Trust
has contributed to the funding of both PHDs.
John Playle is the new Dean for the School of Human and Health Sciences at
Huddersfield University and is now a member of the TAG. His commitment
and interest in research and his background in mental health will further
strengthen links between the University and Trust.
Bob Heyman was present to represent Huddersfield University in John’s
absence and there was some discussion about maximising links with Bob in
risk related research before he retires at the end of 2013.
3
10.
Any Other Business
i) ML gave attendees a chance to reflect on the meeting and it was agreed
that it had run smoothly and everyone felt comfortable with an opportunity to
speak without being hurried.
ii) Agreed that the meeting is a chance to discuss issues in more detail whilst
representatives from different areas are all present whilst bearing in mind the
need for the agenda to run to time.
iii) It was suggested it would be helpful if a member of an NHS Ethics
Committee could attend a future meeting and do a short presentation on the
work they do.
Action: ML thought he had a contact at an Ethics Committee so will
approach them to see if able to come to a future meeting.
Helen Carter
Research Administrator
01977 605285
research@swyt.nhs.uk
4