Research & Development Co-ordinating Centre
WEEKLY ELECTRONIC BULLETIN - 13th March 2006
RCN RESEARCH SOCIETY
1. RCN 2006 annual international nursing research conference, 21st - 24th March
2006 in York, England, UK. For more information see the website or contact
Kathryn Clark, Conference & Events Manager, RCN Events, 20 Cavendish Square,
London W1G 0RN. Tel: 020 7647 3585, Fax: 020 7647 3411, E-mail:
research@rcn.org.uk The full fringe programme is now available, and complete
details of concurrent papers, posters, symposia and workshops. There is also
information about how to submit a question for the Question Time panel on
Thursday 23rd March 2006.
2. RCN London Regional Research Society 3rd annual conference, "'Making It
Happen?' Advancing Nursing Research & Development For Practice" on 15th June
2006 in London, England. Keynote speakers include Professor Tony Butterworth,
Director, Centre for Clinical Academic Workforce and Innovation; Ann McMahon,
Research & Development Advisor, Royal College of Nursing; Ros Moore,
Professional Officer, Department of Health; Val Woodward, Senior Lecturer,
Institute of Health Studies, University of Plymouth. A flier has been produced for
marketing purposes. Additionally, there is also an abstract submission form and a
registration form. For more information contact Janelle York, email:
j.yorke@rbht.nhs.uk Deadline for the receipt of abstracts is 20th April 2006.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
3. University of Bristol Faculty of Health & Social Care Research
Associate/Fellow in Clinical Nursing (R10469/RWS). 19,300 - 26,100GBP
depending on experience. 4 days/week or full time for 3 years. To support a trial
of cognitive-behavioural therapy to help people with rheumatoid arthritis manage
their fatigue. The post involves trial co-ordination and participating in the multidisciplinary team intervention. For more information see the website or Dr
Hewlett, Tel: 0117 32 8903, email: Sarah.Hewlett@uwe.ac.uk Closing date for
receipt of applications is 31st March 2006.
4. Sussex Cancer Research Network Oncology Research Nurse. Band 6 (Interim
transfer) 22,328 - 30,247GBP p.a. Fixed-term to cover maternity leave. Ref:
HJUK/FEB971. For more information, see the website or contact Jane Hanson,
email: jane.hanson@bsuh.nhs.uk Closing date for applications is 16th March 2006.
RESEARCH FUNDING
5. Irish Nurses Organisation.
i) Research Award. A bursary of 700 euros will be awarded for a research project
promoting and improving quality of patient-care and / or staff working conditions
in an innovative way. Deadline for the receipt of applications is 14th April 2006.
FELLOWSHIPS/STUDENTSHIPS
6. University of Leeds School of Healthcare PhD studentships. There are three
full time studentships available in the School of Healthcare this year. Health
professionals and people with a health-related degree (at first or upper second
class or Masters) are invited to apply for a three year PhD studentship, starting in
Autumn 2006. You will receive an annual tax-free stipend in the range 1213,000GBP, with increases in years 2 and 3, plus tuition fees and an annual
research expenses allowance. For information on current research conducted
within the School, or for an application pack see the web site or contact the
postgraduate research secretary, Laura Pick, Tel: 0113-343 5635, email:
pgrestutor@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 6th April 2006.
7. Arthritis Research Campaign PhD studentship, Bristol Applications are invited
for a prestigious arc-funded PhD Studentship on 'Well-being in rheumatoid
arthritis: patient-generated outcomes and treatment decisions.' Candidates
should hold or expect to obtain a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree, or
a Master’s Degree, in a relevant subject (e.g. social sciences, health professions,
or a health-related topic). The Studentship is held by Dr Sarah Hewlett, Faculty of
Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Bristol and Professor
Mike Calnan, Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol. These Arthritis
Research Campaign Studentships aim to enable outstanding graduates to embark
on a research career in rheumatology. The award will be tenable for three years
from 1 October 2006 with a tax-free stipend of 15,635GBP in the first year, with
annual increases thereafter, and include UK tuition fees. The studentship is
hosted by the University of the West of England, Bristol, and will be based with
other research nurses and PhD students at the Rheumatology Unit of the Bristol
Royal Infirmary. For further details and information on how to apply, please see
the website or contact Sarah Hewlett, email: Sarah.Hewlett@uwe.ac.uk Closing
date for applications is 31st March 2006.
RESEARCH TRAINING
8. Trent Research & Development Support Unit Leicester Unit Course Programme
2006. Courses are usually 35GBP for ½ day workshop, 60GBP for 1 day
workshop. For more information, contact Lotus de Cort, Trent RDSU, Tel: (0116)
252 3276, Fax: (0116) 252 3272, email: lfa1@le.ac.uk
Wed 22nd Mar 2006, "Managing References for Your Research"
Thurs 6th Apr 2006, "Introduction to Economic Evaluation in Health Care"
Wed 3rd May 2006, "Introducing Statistical Methods for Analysing Quantitative
Data: Describing and Presenting Data"
Wed 10th May 2006, "Introducing Statistical Methods for Analysing Quantitative
Data: Having Confidence in Data"
Wed 17th May 2006, "Introducing Statistical Methods for Analysing Quantitative
Data: Analysing Data using SPSS (1)"
Wed 24th May 2006, "Introducing Statistical Methods for Analysing Quantitative
Data: Analysing Data using SPSS (2)"
Wed 14th Jun 2006, "Introducing Statistical Methods for Analysing Quantitative
Data: Further Data Analysis using SPSS (1)"
Wed 21st Jun 2006, "Introducing Statistical Methods for Analysing Quantitative
Data: Further Data Analysis using SPSS (2)"
Wed 2nd Aug 2006, "Designing a Questionnaire (1 and 2)"
9. Trent Research & Development Support Unit Nottingham Unit Course Programme
2006. Courses are usually 35GBP for ½ day workshop, 60GBP for 1 day
workshop. For more information, contact Lotus de Cort, Trent RDSU, Tel: (0116)
252 3276, Fax: (0116) 252 3272, email: lfa1@le.ac.uk
21st Mar 2006, "Introductory Statistics"
21st Mar 2006, "Data Management and Introduction to SPSS"
28th Mar 2006, "Exploratory Data Analysis"
4th Apr 2006, "Confidence intervals and p values"
11th Apr 2006, "Analysing continuous data"
19th Apr 2006, "Analysing categorical data"
25th Apr 2006, "Sample size determination"
24th May 2006, "Systematic Review and Meta-analysis"
5th Jun 2006, "Introduction to Research Methods (2 full days)"
12th Jun 2006, "Health Information Skills - Literature Searching"
12th Jun 2006, "The Ethical and Research and Development Approval Process"
20th Jun 2006, "Research Survey Techniques"
27th Jun 2006, "Health Information Skills - Using the Internet and getting the
most from evidence-based sources"
29th Jun 2006, "Introduction to Economic Evaluation in Health Care"
3rd Jul 2006, "Qualitative Research"
11th Jul 2006, "Critically Appraising the Literature"
10. Trent Research & Development Support Unit Sheffield Unit Course Programme
2006. Courses are usually 35GBP for ½ day workshop, 60GBP for 1 day
workshop. For more information, contact Lotus de Cort, Trent RDSU, Tel: (0116)
252 3276, Fax: (0116) 252 3272, email: lfa1@le.ac.uk
20th Mar 2006, "Questionnaire Design"
28th Mar 2006, "Qualitative Research"
25th Apr 2006, "Sample Size and Power Calculations"
2nd May 2006, "Literature Searching for Research - Intermediate"
8th May 2006, "Managing References for Your Research Project"
16th May 2006, "Using the Internet for Research"
23rd May 2006, "Information for Social Care"
7th Jun 2006, "Literature Searching for Research - Advanced"
13th Jun 2006, "Critically Appraising the Literature"
20th Jun 2006, "Getting your Research Published"
RESEARCH GOVERNANCE/ETHICS
11. Fontenla, M. & Rycroft-Malone, J. (2006), "Research governance and ethics: a
resource for novice researchers". Nursing Standard. 20, 23, 41-46. This article
provides an overview of the research governance framework and ethical review.
Issues surrounding new procedures are clarified and practical advice is provided
for those embarking on research projects. The article discusses limitations and
highlights possible future changes to research governance in the United Kingdom.
CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS
12. Northern Ireland: Consultation launched on HPSS trust reform. Minister with
responsibility for health, social services and public safety Shaun Woodward MP
this week launched an eight week consultation on draft legislation to amalgamate
Northern Ireland’s 18 HSS trusts into five new integrated bodies. This forms a key
component of the proposed restructuring of the HPSS within the auspices of the
Review of Public Administration, the key components of which were announced in
November 2005. They also involve inter alia creating a new strategic health and
social services authority with responsibility for performance management and
establishing seven local commissioning groups that will act as regional offices of
the new strategic authority and replace the existing local health and social care
groups. The new structure is projected to be in place by April 2007. The
consultation relates to the text of five draft Orders in Council, one for each of the
proposed new trusts, and a further Draft Order enacting the dissolution of the
existing trust structure. The Minister said: “This is the next step in putting
patients first. This massive cut in bureaucracy will save tens of millions of pounds.
I will ensure this money goes into front line services and new drug treatments. I
want patients to know that we will waste no more time in reforming health care. I
want the new trusts up and running by the spring of next year. These regulations
are essential if we genuinely want to get money out of bureaucracy and into
helping patients.” The consultation document is available on the DHSSPS website
and the deadline for responding is 7th April 2006. RCN members interested in
contributing to the drafting of the RCN Northern Ireland response to the
consultation are invited to contact Public Affairs Adviser John Knape, email:
John.Knape@rcn.org.uk
13. Northern Ireland: DHSSPS launches consultation on alcohol and drugs strategy.
The DHSSPS this week published for consultation a draft five year strategy to
address alcohol and drug-related misuse in Northern Ireland. DHSSPS regional
drug and alcohol co-ordinator Rob Phipps has estimated that alcohol-related ill
health and crime costs the Northern Ireland economy at least £770 million each
year. The new strategic direction for alcohol and drugs (2006-2011) contains a
range of proposals designed to develop an integrated approach to tackling the
issues at a local and regional level and places particular emphasis upon
addressing misuse amongst children and young people. Minister with
responsibility for health, social services and public safety Shaun Woodward MP
said: “I am determined that we continue to address alcohol and drug misuse in a
sustained and vigorous manner. I want this strategy to make a difference. I am
particularly keen to protect our young people from harm. We need to ensure that
our young people don’t become dependent on alcohol and drugs. I want to see,
for instance, young people’s knowledge of the real dangers of alcohol and drugs
increased in the coming year. I also want to ensure that we help all those who
are at particular risk of problem alcohol and drug use. Treatment and education
are therefore important building blocks in the strategy.” Consultation closes on
31st March 2006 and the document can be accessed on the DHSSPS website. RCN
members interested in contributing to the drafting of the RCN Northern Ireland
response to the consultation are invited to contact Public Affairs Adviser John
Knape, email: John.Knape@rcn.org.uk
14. Consultation documents http://www.man.ac.uk/rcn/policy/rcncons.html . The
RCN is asked to comment on a huge array of consultation documents, many of
which have a very short timescale. To give RCN members a greater opportunity
to feed into this process, the RCN R&D Co-ordinating Centre, RCN Policy Unit,
RCN Boards and Regional Offices, and RCN Communications Department are
collaborating to produce an up-to-date, list of consultations that will appear on
the Internet for all to see. This list will be updated regularly. Recent consultations
(with deadlines in brackets) include:
a) National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), "Implementing the recommendations
of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group" [21st Apr 2006]
b) European Commission, "Consultation on action at EU level to promote the
active inclusion of the people furthest from the labour market" [19th Apr 2006]
c) Equal Opportunities Commission, "Gender Equality Duty Draft Code of Practice"
[15th May 2006[
d) Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, "Proposals for the
Introduction of an OISC Continuous Professional Development Scheme" [22nd May
2006]
e) Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, "Amendment to the
Commissioner’s Code of Standards and Rules" [19th May 2006]
f) General Dental Council, "Fitness to Practice Draft Guidance and Policy" [19 th
Apr 2006]
g) General Social Care Council, "Registration of domiciliary and residential social
care workers in England on the GSCC's Social Care Register" [12th May 2006]
h) Department for Education and Skills, "Standards for food other than lunch in
schools" [30th Mar 2006]
i) Department for International Development, "Eliminating World Poverty" [7 th Apr
2006]
15. Burdett Trust for Nursing - Leadership and the Business of Caring. Patient-centred
healthcare provision and commissioning are demanding a different approach to
the way local boards operate and manage patient care. Customer care,
reputation, marketing, risk management and innovative quality care now need
equal ranking with finance, targets and outcomes on Boards' agendas.
Recognising this, the Burdett Trust for Nursing has commissioned the Office for
Public Management (OPM) to carry out a study on the preparation and
development needs of Executive Nurses in commissioning and providing patient
care in rapidly changing healthcare environment. The study will inform the design
of a development programme for Executive Nurses and the Boards of which they
are members. The ultimate aim of the project is to take patient care issues "from
bedside to the boardroom". To complete the survey that forms a core component
of this project, either log onto the project website or contact Phil Copestake at
OPM, Tel: 020 7239 0879, email: pcopestake@opm.co.uk for a Microsoft Word or
hard copy version of the questionnaire. The deadline for responding to the survey
is 24th March 2006.
16. RCN consultation. Social Enterprises have been given significant support by the
Department of Health and government as future providers of health and social
care. A Policy Unit briefing on social enterprise and a survey questionairre for our
members has been put onto the RCN website. The briefing explains what social
enterprises are and how they work. The survey seeks the views of RCN members,
especially in terms of their understanding of social enterprises and their support
and enthusiasm for their development as nurse-led provider organisations. The
survey will last until 31st March 2006 and we would like to encourage RCN
members to make their views known on this important issue.
CURRENT/COMPLETED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
(CURRENT)
17. NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme commissioned projects.
<http://www.ncchta.org/ProjectData/index.asp> The HTA programme is a
national programme of research established and funded by the Department of
Health's Research and Development programme. The HTA programme actively
seeks out the questions which meet the NHS's research needs, commissions
research to meet those needs, and communicates the findings to the NHS and its
users. The following projects have been recently commissioned:
i) 05/09/07 How far does screening women for partner violence in different
health care settings meet the UK National Screening Committee criteria for a
screening programme in terms of condition, screening method and intervention?
http://www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1501
ii) 05/03/01 Screening to prevent pre-term birth - systematic reviews of
accuracy and effectiveness literature with economic modelling
http://www.ncchta.org/project.asp?PjtId=1486
CURRENT/COMPLETED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (COMPLETED
- OPEN ACCESS)
18. NICE guidance – March 2006 <http://www.nice.org.uk/>
NICE has issued the following guidance to the NHS in England and Wales this
month. To find out more click on the following links:
Clinical Guidelines to be issued to the NHS: NICE expects to issue the following
guidance:
Clinical Guidelines
i) TB guideline
ii) Sarcoma
Technical Appraisals
* None
Interventional Procedures
i) Stimulated graciloplasty for faecal incontinence
ii) Endovascular stent graft placement in abdominal aortic aneurysms
iii) Percutaneous endoscopic colostomy
iv) Interspinous distraction procedures for spinal stenosis causing neurogenic
claudication in the lumbar spine
v) Mosaicplasty for knee cartilage defects
vi) Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer
vii) High dose rate brachytherapy for carcinoma of the cervix
viii) Non-rigid stabilisation procedures for the treatment of low back pain
ix) Endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia
Public Health
i) Smoking cessation interventions
ii) Physical activity interventions
Public Health Evidence. NICE expects to publish the following evidence
documents:
i) Social inequalities among adolescents: the national report of the HBSC study
ii) Briefing on chronic illness management and beyond
iii) Accessibility planning and the NHS: improving patient access to health
iv) Healthier planning spatial strategies and beyond
v) Learning from practice bulletin on health equity audit
vi) Systematic and other reviews terms and definitions used by UK organisations
and selected databases
vii) Drug use prevention among young people: an evidence into practice briefing
19. NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme monograph series.
<http://www.ncchta.org/ProjectData/index.asp> The HTA programme is a
national programme of research established and funded by the Department of
Health's Research and Development programme. The HTA programme actively
seeks out the questions which meet the NHS's research needs, commissions
research to meet those needs, and communicates the findings to the NHS and its
users. 316 monographs have now been published since the start of the
programme. The most recent monographs include:
i) Volume 10 (6) Systematic review and evaluation of methods of assessing
urinary incontinence http://www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1213
ii) Volume 10 (5) Comparison of conference abstracts and presentations with
full-text articles in the health technology assessments of rapidly evolving
technologies http://www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1433
iii) Volume 10 (4) A systematic review of the effectiveness and costeffectiveness of neuroimaging assessments used to visualise the seizure focus in
people with refractory epilepsy being considered for surgery
http://www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1349
20. Royal College of General Practitioners Research newsletter (February 2006) is
now available to view on the RCGP website.
CURRENT/COMPLETED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (COMPLETED
- SUBSCRIPTION BASED)
21. Royal College of Nursing Library & Information Services Frequently
Asked Selected Topics (FASTs)
<http://www.rcn.org.uk/members/library/fasts.php>. This is a list of topics found
to be popular with members of the RCN. The lists aim to provide a useful and fast
way of finding recent information on a topic. The lists of references are not
intended to be comprehensive but provide a useful introduction to a subject.
Current topics include:
*Accident Investigation and Prevention in the Workplace
*Agenda for Change: Knowledge and Skills Framework
*Agenda for Change: Terms and Conditions of Service
*Avian Flu
*Care Pathways
*Chlamydia
*Code of Professional Conduct 2002
*Data Protection Act 1998 and Employment Issues
*Disability and Employment
*Disciplinary Procedures and Staff Suspension
*Expert Patient
*Falls Prevention in the Elderly
*Health and Safety at Work, including the HSW Act 1974
*Intensive Care Outreach/Liaison Services
*Manual Handling
*Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
*MRSA
*Noise Regulations and Hearing Protection in the Workplace
*Obesity in Children and Adolescents
*Out of Hours Community Services
*Patient and Staff Grievance Procedures
*Personal Protective Equipment
*Reflective Practice
*Report Writing
*Teenage Pregnancy
*Training Needs Analysis
*Withdrawal of Hydration/Nutrition in the Terminally Ill
*Witnessed Resuscitation
*Work Related Stress
22. Blackwell Publishing is offering a 15% discount to RCN members until 30 th June
2006 on the following research texts. Please quote RESEARCHJP06 when ordering
online.
i) Gerrish: The Research Process in Nursing 5e
www.blackwellpublishing.com/140513013X
ii) Koch: Participatory Action Research in Health Care
www.blackwellpublishing.com/1405124164
iii) Newell: Vital Notes for Nurses: Research for Evidence-Based Practice
www.blackwellpublishing.com/1405125624
DISSEMINATING YOUR RESEARCH (CALL FOR PAPERS)
23. British Society of Gerontology (BSG) Scotland & Caledonian Centre for
Gerontological Practice in association with HealthQWest annual conference,
"Ageing well - option or aspiration?" on 19th June 2006 in Glasgow, Scotland. For
more information see the website or contact Dr Pauline Banks, Tel: 01698-283
1000, email: p.banks@bell.ac.uk Deadline for the receipt of abstracts is 17th
March 2006.
24. Bolton Research Forum in Health and Social Care presents Bolton's Festival of
Research in Health & Social Care on 10th May 2006 in Bolton, England. For more
information see the attached flier or contact Shân Wilkinson, Bolton PCT, email:
shan.wilkinson@bolton.nhs.uk. Deadline for the receipt of abstracts is 20th March
2006.
25. 1st WENR (Workgroup of European Nurse Researchers) scientific symposium,
"Obesity as a threat to health. How can nursing research contribute to prevention
and care?" from 4th - 5th October 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark. For more
information see the website or contact kl@sygeplejevid.au.dk Deadline for the
receipt of abstracts is 30th April 2006.
26. Keele University School of Nursing and Midwifery 2nd annual education evaluation
conference, "Health & social care education: advances and innovations" from 18th
- 19th June 2006 in Stone, Staffordshire, England. For more information see the
website or contact Julie Douglas, email: j.douglas@nur.keele.ac.uk Deadline for
receipt of abstracts is 2nd May 2006.
27. International Society for Quality of Life Research 13th annual Scientific Meeting
from 11th - 14th October 2006 in Lisbon, Portugal. For more information see the
website or contact ISOQOL executive office, email: info@isoqol.org Deadline for
the receipt of abstracts is 12th May 2006.
EVENTS
28. North West Evaluation Network (NWEN) - part of UK Evaluation Society
conference on 31st March 2006 in Preston, England. Cost is 45 GBP (22.50 GBP
for UK Evaluation Society members) to include lunch and refreshments. In this
one day conference, learning about engaging children and young people in
evaluation, both in community and school settings, will be presented. We are
aiming for a mixture of traditional presentations, interactive workshops and
discussions, that will be accessible to people who are new to evaluation, or who
have evaluation as just one part of their job, as well as stimulating to specialist
evaluators. For more information, contact Alan Boyd, email:
alan.boyd@mbs.ac.uk
29. Health QWest Seminar programme 2006. For more information see the website or
contact Jayne Elms, email: Jayne.Elms@gcal.ac.uk
26 Apr 2006, "European research funding", chaired by Professor Lorraine Smith,
University of Glasgow.
30. e-Health 2006 conference, "e-Health and health policies: synergies for better
health in a Europe of regions" from 10th - 12th May 2006 in Malaga, Spain. For
more information see the website.
31. NHS R&D Forum annual conference 2006 from 9th - 10th May 2006 in Bristol,
England. For more information see the website or contact Janet Messer, email:
janet.messer@rdforum.vispa.com
32. Florence Nightingale Foundation Commemoration Service 2006 on 10th May 2006
in Westminster Abbey, London, England. This year the Service to commemorate
the life and work of Florence Nightingale will be held in Westminster Abbey at
6.15pm on Wednesday 10th May 2006. This Service also celebrates the
professions of nursing and midwifery and all staff, both qualified and unqualified
working in these services, are invited to attend. The Most Reverend and Rt Hon
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will give the Address.
Entrance to the Service is by ticket only, available during March and April. For
more information see the website or contact Pam Mummery, email:
admin@florence-nightingale-foundation.org.uk
33. Clinical Research Nurses Association Spring Study Day, "Research Voices - ways
to present your research" on 12th May 2006 in London, England. The day will
cover writing an abstract, presenting work at conferences, and writing research
for publication. For further information see the webpage or contact Calvin R
Moorley, University of East London, Tel: 020 8223 4534, e-mail:
c.moorley@uel.ac.uk
34. The Nursing Section of the Association for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the
National Health Service 2005/6 Seminar programme. Meetings are held in the
evening at the Tavistock Clinic, London, England. For more information contact
Stephen Mackie, Tel: 020-8354-8903, email: Steve.Mackie@wlmht.nhs.uk
10th May 06, Work Discussion Seminar: 'Mourning a Loss, Nursing a Grievance'
Alyson Lawson will give an an overview of the conference ‘The Body in Mind’ held
on June 10th 2005 and organised by St Marks Hospital & the Association for
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the NHS (APP) (*with acknowledgement and
thanks to Patricia McHugh, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytic
Psychotherapist, St Marks Hospital, who presented her paper with this title at the
above conference.)
35. Creative Methods Network launch event, "Transforming experience through
creativity: A health & illness perspective. A one day symposia and workshop on
drama, art and writing" on 12th May 2006 in Cambridge, England. The network
aims to provide academics, researchers and practitioners in health and social care
with a forum where they can explore, theorise and promote the use of creative
methods in educational and research practice. For more information see the
website or contact Charlotte Bates, Tel: 01223-885 969, email: bates@healthhomerton.ac.uk
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